Mole Benn

I was told tonight that Mole Benn sadly passed away about three weeks ago he is survived by his brother Sam.
Bill Kirkwood

What an interesting character Mole was, I remember one race meeting at Snetterton in the 60s parked along side his red racer was a vintage Harley that he was restoring. It as a huge long thing with tiller like handle bars and no front brake and tiny narrow tyres! I discovered later that he also acquired a very rare ex-works 250 MV and as well had a Guzzi single cylinder road bike. How reassuring it is to have learned recently that his Bantam is still being used.
Another small chapter in the continuing story of Bantam racing is now closed, rest peacefully Mole .

Trevor.

Hi Bill, If you have Sam's phone number would you please phone me on 020 644 3968.
Thanks. Les2012.

Sorry Trevor, the MV you mentioned in your post was not a works 250cc it was in fact a 203cc DOCH machine, when sadly discovered that it could rev up to 14,000rpm it self-destructed. Mole bought the MV from Ron Harris and later restored it with the idea to preserve it for posterity this being about 1956. Those of us who knew Mole understand it would not sit in the shed, he bought it to life so others could hear the wonderful sound of a works 203cc MV Agusta .

Rest in peace my friend.

Les2012.

Les,
Thank you for clarification on the MV, I am wondering if you have any further information on the Harley? I only saw it the once but it did seem that there was a lot of work left to do. A Google search showed that by comparing my recall with historic photos it could have been made in around 1915 that makes it an important machine, 100yrs old!

Trevor

Courtesy Of Trevor Amos.

This arrived with an email this morning, Ed has performed his magic and here it is on the site:
Mole, just as I remember him from the 60s sitting astride the old Harley, lump in the throat sort of nostalgia for me!
Does anyone recognise it and perhaps know of it`s current location?

Trevor

Hello Trevor. Yes that's it, last time I saw the bike it was hiding behind a Henderson 4 cylinder of about 1926ish all complete from what I could see, that was 2years ago. Maybe the VMCC will have a record as he was a member.

Les2012.