Moto Guzzi 250 Monoalbero sohc & Wheeler – 1955 Ulster Grand Prix photo racing

Description

A superb and rare photo of the magnificent
Arthur Wheeler
, seen in action with his
250cc Moto Guzzi s.o.h.c. production racer
during the
1955
Ulster
Grand Prix
which was ridden on
August 13, 1955
. Arthur Wheeler initially set the lap record and finished the race in
7TH
position!
This great photograph of the Ulster Grand Prix was taken during the 250cc race of 1955. Arthur Wheeler finished the race in
seventh position
. The race was won by Bill Lomas on a works Moto Guzzi with an average race speed of
89.31 mph
(
143.74 km/h
).
Arthur Wheeler
, born in 1916, was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Wheeler gained a reputation as one of the top privateer racers on the Grand Prix circuit. Born in Epsom,
Surrey
, Wheeler left school at the age of 15 to be an apprentice electrician and engineer. He began his competitive motorcycling career campaigning a Velocette in grass track racing. Opening a motorcycle shop in 1937, he used his profits to enable his motorcycle racing career. When World War II started, Wheeler's engineering skills led him to being chosen to work alongside Barnes Wallis in developing the bouncing bomb. After the war, his motorcycle business boomed, allowing him to undertake a racing career on the Grand Prix racing circuit on the European continent. Wheeler won the 1954 250cc Nations Grand Prix at
Monza
, was a five-time winner of the
North West
200 race in
Northern Ireland
and won the
Leinster
200 at least twice. His best season was aboard a Moto Guzzi in 1962, when he won the 250cc Argentine Grand Prix and had a fourth place finish in the Isle of Man Lightweight TT, finishing in third place in the 250cc world championship behind Jim Redman and Bob McIntyre. At the end of that year he retired at the age of 46. Wheeler continued to develop the long outdated Moto Guzzi (which ceased production around 1953) all through his career, using home built streamlined "dustbin" and "dolphin" fairings and along with Ken Sprayson at Renolds Frames he developed an alloy spine frame with swinging arm rear suspension and oil bearing top tube. Wheeler was a close friend with many of the Guzzi factory riders, and it was through Fergus Anderson that he acquired his first Guzzi from the factory, a pre-war Albatros 250cc, which was to be developed through the 1950s to Gambalunghino spec and beyond. After his win at the Nations Grand Prix it was Moto Guzzi factory rider Enrico Lorenzetti that gave Wheeler his stock of factory spare parts, which enabled him to campaign the Guzzi's long after the official factory team had disbanded.
This is a very nice and very rare
non period
photo that reflects a wonderful era of Moto Guzzi ‘s rich motorcycle history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x
30 cm
). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.