Indian Scout special Burt Munro Bonneville 1967 World Land Speed Record photo

Description

Munro Special – Burt Munro 1920 Indian Scout special at Bonneville - World Record 1967
He achieved with a speed of 190.07 mph (305.89 km/h the fastest-ever officially recorded speed on an Indian, making it the World’s Fastest Indian!
Up for auction is a photograph of Burt Munro’s so called
Munro Special
, the famous world record breaker that Burt Munro build himself, using a
1920 Indian Scout
. This photograph was taken on
August 26, 1967
,
Burt is seen with the helmet
, when the Munro Special featured an engine bored out to 950 cc. He set an under 1000 cc class record of
296.2593 km/h (184.087 mph)!
To qualify he made a one-way run of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph),
the fastest-ever officially-recorded speed on an Indian!
We believe it to be a more recent photograph.
Burt Munro's original Indian Scout was a very early model, being only the 627th Scout to leave the American factory. The bike had an original top speed of
55 mph
(
89 km/h
). But this did not satisfy Munro, so in 1926 he decided to start modifying his beloved Indian. Munro had to overcome a lot of challenges while modifying his bike He would often work overnight on his bikes (he had a 1936 Velocette MSS as well), then he would go to work in the morning, having had no sleep the night before. It is incredible how much he had to endure in order to pursue his dream.
Because Munro was a man of modest means, he would often make parts and tools himself instead of having them professionally built. For example, he would cast parts in old tins, make his own barrels, pistons, flywheels, etc. His micrometer was an old spoke. In its final stages, the Indian's displacement was 950 cc (as built it was 600 cc) and was driven by a triple chain drive system. The Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah, USA are known worldwide for their many miles of flat, compacted salt; perfect for testing speed machines. During Speed Week, usually in mid-late August, vehicle enthusiasts from around the world gather at Bonneville. Munro travelled to Bonneville ten times, the first time for "sightseeing" purposes. In the nine times he raced at Bonneville, Munro set three world records: first in 1962, then in 1966 and finally in 1967. He also once qualified at over
200 mph
(
320 km/h
), but that was an unofficial run and was not counted. Following the misspelling of his name in an American motorcycling magazine in 1957, Bert Munro changed his name to Burt.
Records:
* In 1962, he set a 883 cc class record of
288 km/h
(178.95 mph) with his engine bored out to 850 cc.
* In 1966, he set a 1000 cc class record of 270.476 km/h (168.07 mph) with his engine punched out to 920 cc.
* In 1967, his engine was bored out to 950 cc and he set an under 1000 cc class record of 296.2593 km/h (184.087 mph). To qualify he made a one-way run of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph), the fastest-ever officially-recorded speed on an Indian. The unofficial speed record (officially timed) is
331 km/h
(205.67 mph) for a flying mile.
Munro famously first set foot on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1962, but his fascination with motorcycles and speed dates back far earlier, at least to the day he bought his 1920 Indian Scout side-valve brand-new in New Zealand. The Indian’s
60
MPH
top speed wouldn’t suffice for Munro, however, so he began tinkering with and re-engineering its 600cc V-twin. Munro had it up to about
90
MPH
before he decided that the engine’s original side-valve configuration didn’t provide enough speed, so he designed and cast his own overhead-valve setup for the engine. While Munro did most of his testing on
Oreti
Beach
, south of Invercargill, he took part in motorcycle races of all sorts all over
New Zealand
as he continued to refine both his Scout and his 1936 Velocette
MSS
. By the 1940s he had his Indian running
120
MPH
, and in 1957 he set the
New Zealand
beach record at
132
MPH
.
New Zealand
beaches, however, didn’t provide much room to go faster, so Munro visited the
Bonneville Salt Flats
that year and decided to continue his land-speed racing efforts there.
This is your rare chance to own this
non period
photo, it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 8" (ca. 20 x
20 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.