Henry Cole (again)

Yes i have been to the National Motor Hub a fair few times always wondered if i would run into him there or at the burger van he frequents but no such luck.

 

I wouldn’t let Alan babysit my nephews in a rush !

 

I don't think he is odd at all, far from it he is very interesting to talk to, in 2017 at the Classic TT, we where looking at the Honda 6 Rob Iannucci from Team Obsolete owned, it is the original machine that Jim Redman previously owned, Jim Redman had it up up for auction some years ago, it had a reserve of £500,000, that was a huge sum back then, it did not make the reserve and was withdrawn. Then it appeared in Team Obsoletes collection, I guess a mutually beneficial deal was done with Rob the new custodian. Steve Plater did a parade lap on it at the event. Rob said the team carefully rebuilt the engine, with new pistons and crankshaft, the crank was given (I believe to an Italian Formula One Tech Company) who reverse engineered 2 new crank assemblies. This is the only surviving RC165 in existence. Back to Alan, Rob had given Alan permission to take photographs and measurements of the Honda 6, such is the high regard Alan is held in. Rob allowed me to take photos of the bike, and Alan graciously let me do so before he got out his notebook and camera. After Alan had finished he casually said "I am going to build a replica Honda 6", I was a little lost for words to be honest. Alan talked about how he was going to go about it. Sadly Rob Iannucci passed away on the 7th December 2025. He had an absolutely amazing professional career in many different public services. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.

 

Yes i worked with his Brother Brian and again a very clever chap. Saw Alan briefly at a show i attended but never spoke. I do think he is one very clever man. I wish he would do some very modern bikes though.

 

Yes I too spoke with Alan at St John's at the 2017 Manx when he was showing his red "Flying Millyard" machine with the part aeroplane engine.
A very interesting chat with a very interesting character.

 

But that wouldn't be him @joe mc donald , an oddball character doing oddball bikes is his forte and niche.

 

Millyard did a series of YT videos on his rebuild of the Norton Nemesis V8. Its mesmerising to watch.

 

Hi Eldon, he did show it there, as well as riding it at Jurby. Steve Parrish rode it a short distance, it frightened him silly.

 

Sadly, this machine is no longer registered on the DVLA database. The photo was taken in Scotland in the early 1940s.