Classic Racer Magazine – Spring 1990 – Issue 29

Gus Kuhn Racing | Norton Vanwall | Rutter G50/7R | Dave Potter | Tom Dickie | BMW Racing | Classic Motorcycle Racing

Original British Classic Racer magazine, Spring 1990, Issue Number 29, featuring an extensive selection of historic motorcycle racing articles, classic competition machinery, racing personalities and technical features.

The front cover celebrates the history of the legendary Gus Kuhn motorcycle racing team, featuring a striking colour action photograph of a classic racing motorcycle alongside a smaller inset photograph.

The magazine also includes coverage of the Norton and Vanwall connection, Rutter G50 and 7R racing replicas, historic motorcycle racers and international competition machinery.

An interesting period publication for collectors of classic motorcycle racing memorabilia, particularly those interested in Norton, BMW, British racing teams and historic road racing.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Classic Racer

• Issue: Number 29

• Edition: Spring 1990

• On-Sale Date: 24 February 1990

• Original UK Cover Price: £1.95

• Original USA Cover Price: $5.00

• Publisher: Charley Davis, EMAP National Publications

• Editor: Bob Berry

• Language: English

• Country: United Kingdom

• Format: Original printed motorcycle magazine

• SKU: 1601

Front Cover – Gus Kuhn Racing History

The front cover is dominated by a large colour photograph showing a rider competing aboard a distinctive Gus Kuhn Norton racing motorcycle, carrying racing number 17.

The photograph captures the rider leaning into a corner while wearing red racing leathers and a white helmet.

The motorcycle features:

• Black racing bodywork with red detailing.

• Prominent GUS KUHN lettering along the fuel tank and fairing.

• Racing number 17 on the front and rear.

• Streamlined competition fairing.

• Exposed air-cooled motorcycle engine.

• Traditional racing wheels.

• Long, highly visible exhaust system.

• Dunlop and Champion racing decals.

• Low racing handlebars and competition riding position.

The photograph provides an excellent period view of the distinctive engineering and appearance of classic British racing motorcycles.

The contents page identifies the front-cover rider as Tom Dickie, riding the Gus Kuhn team BMW at Ballacraine during the 1975 Isle of Man TT.

A smaller inset photograph features Dave Potter aboard his distinctive Norton at Brands Hatch.

Both photographs are credited to Jim Greening.

The black cover background, gold Classic Racer masthead and large racing photographs give this issue a particularly traditional vintage motorsport appearance.

Featured Article – Gus Kuhn Racing

Page 38 – Gus Kuhn Racing

One of the principal articles explores the history and achievements of the Gus Kuhn motorcycle racing team.

The contents describe the team as having enjoyed a long and distinguished period of racing success.

The feature is presented as a historical examination of the team, with its story continued from an earlier issue.

Gus Kuhn was a notable name in British motorcycle racing, particularly associated with competition machinery and the development of successful racing motorcycles.

This article is especially relevant to collectors interested in:

• Gus Kuhn racing history.

• British motorcycle racing teams.

• Norton competition motorcycles.

• BMW racing motorcycles.

• Historic Isle of Man TT racing.

• 1970s motorcycle road racing.

• British motorcycle engineering and tuning.

The combination of historical editorial material and period racing photography makes this one of the magazine's main attractions.

Norton and Vanwall – Historic Racing Connection

Page 12 – Norton/Vanwall

A historical feature examining the relationship between Norton racing motorcycles and the famous Vanwall motor racing operation.

The contents explain that a Vanwall racing car had recently been auctioned for a considerable sum.

The article investigates the connection between Vanwall and the Manx Norton, examining how the two names became linked through racing engineering and development.

The feature also discusses Charlie Rous and his recollections of this historic connection.

This article should appeal to collectors interested in:

• Norton Manx racing motorcycles.

• Vanwall motor racing history.

• British competition engineering.

• Historic motorcycle and car racing connections.

• Post-war racing technology.

• Classic racing engine development.

Rutter G50 and 7R Racing Replicas

Page 31 – The Rutter Replicas

An important technical and historical feature examining the Rutter Developments G50 and 7R racing motorcycles.

The contents explain that these modern-built interpretations of classic racing machinery had become established in the historic racing scene.

The article follows John Ruth as he takes the Rutter Developments 7R and G50 motorcycles to Mallory Park.

The feature compares the machines with his memories of the original racing motorcycles.

The article is particularly relevant to enthusiasts of:

• Matchless G50 racing motorcycles.

• AJS 7R competition motorcycles.

• Rutter Developments racing replicas.

• Historic racing motorcycle engineering.

• Mallory Park motorcycle testing.

• British single-cylinder racing machinery.

• Classic motorcycle restoration and reproduction.

For collectors interested in traditional British racing machines, this is one of the most technically appealing features advertised in the issue.

Historic Motorcycle Racing Personalities

Nigel Rollason – Page 24

A feature about motorcycle racer Nigel Rollason.

The contents describe Rollason's experience of motorcycle racing and his engineering background.

The article explores his involvement with racing machinery and his connection to the classic racing scene.

David May – Page 69

A feature concerning David May, described as having been voted a Classic Racer of the Year by his fellow competitors.

The article examines his achievements and his continuing involvement in racing.

The Great Cardani – Page 46

An article about an unusual Italian multi-cylinder racing motorcycle.

The contents describe the machine as an interesting Italian racer that briefly attracted attention before largely disappearing from the racing scene.

An appealing historical subject for readers interested in unusual racing engines and specialist motorcycle engineering.

Thrilling Thirties – Page 48

A historical feature written by Brian Woolley, examining motorcycle racing during the 1930s.

The article focuses on the supercharged racing motorcycles of the period and the excitement of pre-war competition.

This is particularly interesting for collectors of pre-war motorcycle racing history and early supercharged competition engines.

Historic Isle of Man TT Photography

The photographed contents page features a large black-and-white racing photograph showing Dave Potter competing aboard the Gus Kuhn Norton during the 1973 TransAtlantic Trophy races.

The photograph captures Potter leaning dramatically into a corner, with racing number 17 clearly displayed on the motorcycle's fairing.

The caption states that Potter won the Brands Hatch leg of the event.

The photograph is credited to Jim Greening.

This is an excellent period racing image showing:

• The streamlined racing fairing.

• Competition number 17.

• Traditional racing wheel and tyre construction.

• Rider's racing leathers and helmet.

• The extreme lean angle associated with motorcycle circuit racing.

• Classic 1970s motorcycle racing photography.

The photograph adds considerable historical interest to the magazine.

Additional Articles and Regular Features

The contents page confirms several further sections.

Page 4 – Race Gossip

News, commentary and updates from the classic motorcycle racing scene.

Page 7 – Jim Greening

A regular contribution from motorcycle racing photographer and writer Jim Greening.

Page 10 – Roger Allen

A regular editorial contribution.

Page 11 – Brian Woolley

Historical motorcycle racing commentary and research.

Page 18 – Classic Shots

A photographic section featuring historic motorcycle racing images.

Page 44 – Your Letters

Reader correspondence and contributions.

Together, these sections provide a broad overview of the classic motorcycle racing scene as it existed in early 1990.

Historical and Collector Interest

This issue provides an interesting snapshot of classic motorcycle racing journalism at the beginning of the 1990s.

The magazine combines retrospective articles about earlier decades with contemporary historic racing coverage.

Its particular strengths include:

• Gus Kuhn racing team history.

• Norton and Vanwall engineering connections.

• Historic Isle of Man TT photographs.

• Rutter Developments racing replicas.

• AJS 7R and Matchless G50 motorcycles.

• 1930s supercharged racing machinery.

• British and Italian classic racing history.

• Period racing photographs and technical commentary.

The magazine is suitable for collectors researching specific racing teams, riders, machines and historic motorsport events.

Condition – Important Information

Original pre-owned magazine from Spring 1990.

This copy shows noticeable age-related wear, particularly to the front cover and spine.

It should be regarded as a used vintage reading and reference copy rather than a pristine collector-grade example.

Front Cover

The front cover displays substantial visible signs of previous handling and age.

These include:

• Widespread surface rubbing and scuffing, particularly noticeable against the black background.

• Numerous pale marks and scratches across the cover.

• Noticeable wear and colour loss along the spine.

• Creasing and small folds around the top edge.

• A visibly bent and worn upper-right corner.

• General corner and edge wear.

• Creases and rubbing around the lower corners.

• A diagonal crease visible near the lower-right portion of the cover.

• Age-related surface marks and handling wear.

The original barcode area has an orange label with a dark mark or covering over part of it.

This is clearly visible in the photographs and forms part of the magazine's present condition.

Despite the wear, the main cover photograph, masthead and headlines remain clearly identifiable.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows particularly noticeable wear.

There are visible areas of rubbing, creasing and colour loss, together with small splits or abrasions around the spine edge.

The magazine remains together in the photographed views, although the complete binding has not been checked page by page.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page shows:

• Noticeable yellowing and age-related paper toning.

• Brownish discolouration and spotting, especially around the margins.

• Marks and staining along the lower edge and corners.

• Light creasing and handling wear.

• Some wear near the inner spine.

• Clear, readable printed text.

• A well-defined black-and-white racing photograph.

The page remains readable, although its age is evident.

No obvious handwritten annotations are visible on the photographed contents page.

The complete magazine has not been individually inspected page by page, so the condition of every internal page cannot be guaranteed.

Overall Condition

Fair to good vintage used condition, with significant cosmetic wear to the cover and spine, plus age-related discolouration to the interior.

The magazine is approximately 36 years old and shows the effects of storage and handling.

It remains a useful original reading and reference copy for a collector of classic motorcycle racing publications.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.

Original Extras and Promotional Items

Any original free gifts, promotional supplements, loose inserts or additional items that may originally have accompanied the magazine are no longer included.

This listing is for the magazine itself only.

Packaging and Shipping

The magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Sent in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Sent in a protective cardboard mailer-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Ideal For Collectors Of

• Classic Racer magazine back issues.

• Gus Kuhn motorcycle racing.

• Tom Dickie and Dave Potter racing memorabilia.

• Norton Manx motorcycles.

• Norton and Vanwall racing history.

• BMW historic racing motorcycles.

• Rutter Developments G50 and 7R replicas.

• AJS 7R and Matchless G50 motorcycles.

• Historic Isle of Man TT racing.

• 1970s motorcycle racing photography.

• British classic motorcycle engineering.

• Vintage motorcycle racing programmes and publications.

• Historic motorsport magazines.

An original Classic Racer Spring 1990 Issue 29, featuring Gus Kuhn racing history, Norton and Vanwall connections, Rutter racing replicas and an extensive selection of classic motorcycle racing features.

SKU: 1601