Classic Racer Magazine – Summer 1987 – Issue 18 – Isle of Man TT Special

Mike Hailwood | Giacomo Agostini | Geoff Duke | Arter Matchless | Kirby AJS 7R | Lawton Aermacchi | Isle of Man TT Racing

Original British Classic Racer magazine, Summer 1987, Number 18, featuring a special collection of articles celebrating the history of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races.

This vintage motorcycle racing publication concentrates on legendary riders, historic racing machinery, famous TT circuits and important moments from motorcycle racing history.

The issue features Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Geoff Duke, the Arter Matchless racing motorcycle, and original period road tests of the Kirby AJS 7R and Lawton Aermacchi.

With its striking full-colour racing cover, archive photography, historic race reports and detailed motorcycle features, this is an appealing publication for collectors of classic racing motorcycles and Isle of Man TT memorabilia.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Classic Racer

• Issue Number: 18

• Edition: Summer 1987

• Publication Date: Summer 1987 (exact day not stated)

• Original UK Price: £1.60

• Original USA Price: $4.00

• Original Netherlands Price: HFL 8.90

• Publisher: EMAP National Publications

• Editor: Bob Berry

• Designer: Gill Shaw

• Research: Brian Woolley

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Format: Original printed motorcycle racing magazine

• SKU: 1601

Front Cover – Classic Isle of Man TT Racing

The front cover features a large colour action photograph of a historic motorcycle racer leaning dramatically into a corner aboard a blue racing motorcycle carrying the distinctive number 4.

The rider wears a light-coloured helmet with red detailing, traditional racing goggles, black racing leathers and gloves.

The motorcycle features a streamlined blue racing fairing with yellow and white number panels, a traditional spoked front wheel and classic competition styling.

The machine is shown at a considerable lean angle, capturing the distinctive appearance and excitement of historic motorcycle road racing.

The image is particularly appealing to collectors interested in the engineering, racing equipment and photography of the classic TT era.

The front cover also prominently advertises the magazine's TT Special, covering the history of the four Isle of Man TT courses, the careers of Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, and the final British challenge represented by the Arter Matchless.

Isle of Man TT Special – Four Historic Courses

Page 23 – The TT Course

A major historical feature exploring the development of the Isle of Man TT racing courses.

The article examines the four courses associated with the history of the Tourist Trophy races.

According to the contents page, the feature also reproduces early photographs dating back to 1907, making it particularly interesting for enthusiasts researching the origins of motorcycle road racing.

The article offers historical context on how the TT developed into one of the most famous motorcycle racing events in the world.

It is especially relevant to collectors interested in:

• Isle of Man TT history.

• Early motorcycle road racing.

• Historic TT circuits.

• Edwardian motorcycle racing.

• Vintage Isle of Man racing photography.

• The development of the Tourist Trophy.

Mike Hailwood – Isle of Man Racing History

Page 9 – Hailwood

An important feature devoted to legendary British motorcycle racer Mike Hailwood.

The contents confirm that the article includes extracts from his first book, covering his Isle of Man racing experiences in 1961 and 1967.

The front cover highlights the 1963 and 1967 chapters.

Mike Hailwood remains one of the most celebrated riders in motorcycle racing history, and his Isle of Man TT achievements are particularly significant to collectors.

The feature provides an opportunity to explore his racing experiences through historical written material rather than simply a modern retrospective.

The contents page also includes a small black-and-white photograph of Hailwood riding a streamlined racing motorcycle.

This is one of the main collector-interest features in the issue.

Giacomo Agostini – Interview in Japan

Page 40 – Agostini

A feature focusing on legendary Italian motorcycle racer Giacomo Agostini.

The front cover advertises an interview conducted in Japan.

The contents describe the article as Agostini's own account of the 1967 Isle of Man TT, including his emotional recollections of the event.

The feature offers an interesting historical perspective on one of motorcycle racing's greatest champions.

A small archive photograph of Agostini aboard a racing motorcycle is also reproduced on the contents page.

This article is particularly appealing to collectors of:

• Giacomo Agostini memorabilia.

• MV Agusta racing history.

• 1960s Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

• Isle of Man TT history.

• Italian motorcycle racing champions.

Geoff Duke – Early Racing Career

Page 42 – Duke

A feature written by Charlie Rous, examining the early career of another legendary Isle of Man motorcycle racer, Geoff Duke.

The article explores Duke's beginnings in racing and his development into one of the sport's most important personalities.

Geoff Duke is particularly associated with the golden age of British motorcycle racing and the success of Norton and Gilera racing machinery.

The contents page includes a small archive racing photograph labelled Duke.

This feature is an excellent addition for collectors interested in 1950s Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

Arter Matchless – The Last British Challenge

Page 39 – Arter's Matchless Machine

A photographic feature devoted to the Arter Matchless, described in the magazine as the last great British challenger.

The front cover gives this motorcycle considerable prominence, advertising it as one of the issue's major historical subjects.

The feature provides period racing imagery of an important British competition motorcycle.

This is especially interesting for enthusiasts of:

• Matchless racing motorcycles.

• Arter Matchless competition history.

• British Grand Prix racing machinery.

• Historic motorcycle engineering.

• Classic British racing specials.

• Motorcycle racing development during the 1960s and 1970s.

Original 1960s Motorcycle Road Tests

Page 66 – Kirby AJS 7R and 350cc Aermacchi

One of the most technically interesting sections of the magazine reproduces original motorcycle tests from 1964 and 1965.

The contents identify the machines as:

Kirby AJS 7R

A classic British competition motorcycle associated with the famous AJS 7R racing tradition.

350cc Aermacchi

An Italian racing motorcycle representing a different approach to lightweight competition machinery.

The magazine identifies these as original Motor Cycling tests.

These historic road tests offer period information about racing motorcycles as they were evaluated during the 1960s.

They are particularly valuable to collectors researching classic racing specifications, handling characteristics and contemporary motorcycle journalism.

Additional Motorcycle Racing Features

Now and Then – Page 8

Brian Woolley recalls earlier motorcycle testing experiences at Silverstone and the Green Man Inn.

An interesting retrospective exploring the personalities and atmosphere surrounding classic motorcycle testing.

Hot Stuff from Daytona – Page 17

Mike Nicks reports from Daytona, featuring two notable twin-cylinder racing motorcycles.

An interesting feature for collectors of American motorcycle racing history and Daytona competition machinery.

Colour TT Racing Photography – Page 35

A four-page colour photographic section featuring images from past Isle of Man TT races.

This is a particularly attractive part of the issue for enthusiasts interested in historic racing photography.

End of Excelsior – Page 46

The final instalment of a historical feature examining the decline of the Manxman racing team and its unsuccessful attempt to secure a Tourist Trophy victory.

Jim Bound – Page 52

A feature on the two-stroke motorcycle tuner and enthusiast Jim Bound.

The article focuses on his involvement with racing machinery and engine tuning.

Race Reports – Page 55

Reports and photographs from contemporary classic motorcycle racing meetings.

These provide an interesting snapshot of the historic racing scene during 1987.

Colin Seeley – Page 58

An article concerning Colin Seeley, discussing his move away from motorcycle sidecar racing and into Formula One car racing.

An interesting feature for collectors of Seeley motorcycle and motorsport history.

McIntyre's 100mph Lap – Page 64

A historical feature revisiting Bob McIntyre's famous 100mph Isle of Man TT lap.

The article includes an account by Cyril Quartill of the first ton-up Island lap.

An important subject in the history of the Isle of Man TT.

Historic Racing Photographs

The photographed contents page includes a vertical selection of archive motorcycle racing photographs.

These feature:

Mike Hailwood: A period racing image showing Hailwood aboard a classic competition motorcycle.

Geoff Duke: A black-and-white photograph of Duke riding a traditional racing motorcycle.

Giacomo Agostini: An archive photograph showing Agostini aboard a racing motorcycle carrying number 6.

Colin Seeley: A historic motorcycle sidecar racing photograph.

1933 Junior TT: A group photograph of Norton riders Stan Woods, Tim Hunt and Jim Guthrie, identified in the magazine as finishing first, second and third in the 1933 Junior TT.

These archive images provide additional interest for collectors researching historic motorcycle racing personalities and machinery.

Regular Magazine Sections

The issue also includes several regular editorial features:

• Page 4 – World of Racing: Motorcycle racing news and developments.

• Page 50 – Your Letters: Reader correspondence and contributions.

• Page 64 – Flashbacks: Historical motorcycle racing recollections and archive material.

Together with the main features, these sections make the magazine a useful record of the classic motorcycle racing community in the late 1980s.

Collector Interest

This issue is particularly attractive because of its strong emphasis on Isle of Man TT history.

It brings together several major names from motorcycle racing's golden era, including Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Geoff Duke, Colin Seeley and Bob McIntyre.

The combination of historical articles, period racing photography and original 1960s motorcycle tests makes it a useful reference publication.

It may appeal to collectors of:

• Classic Racer magazine back issues.

• Isle of Man TT programmes and memorabilia.

• Mike Hailwood racing memorabilia.

• Giacomo Agostini racing history.

• Geoff Duke motorcycle racing.

• Colin Seeley racing motorcycles.

• Norton racing motorcycles.

• AJS 7R and Matchless racing machinery.

• Aermacchi competition motorcycles.

• 1960s Grand Prix racing.

• Vintage British motorcycle magazines.

• Historic motorcycle road racing photography.

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Original pre-owned magazine from Summer 1987.

The magazine shows visible age-related wear and handling marks consistent with a publication approaching 40 years old.

Front Cover

The front cover displays noticeable cosmetic wear, including:

• General surface rubbing and scuffing.

• Fine scratches and handling marks across the printed surface.

• Wear along the top edge.

• Creasing and rubbing around the upper corners.

• A visible crease or fold at the upper-right corner.

• Noticeable edge wear along the left-hand spine.

• Small marks and abrasions around the spine.

• Wear and rubbing to the lower corners.

• Minor creasing and surface marks around the bottom edge.

• Some age-related dulling of the original printed finish.

The cover photograph and main headlines remain clearly visible.

The magazine retains its distinctive yellow and red Classic Racer masthead and full-colour racing cover.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows age-related rubbing and wear, particularly along the outer fold.

There are small abrasions and signs of repeated handling.

The photographed pages remain attached, although the complete binding has not been inspected page by page.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page shows:

• Clear, readable printing.

• Strong contrast between the black background and white text.

• Minor age-related discolouration.

• Light rubbing and handling wear.

• Small signs of wear around the page edges.

• Slight corner wear.

• A visible light crease or mark near the lower portion of the page.

The archive photographs and contents remain clearly identifiable.

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

Overall Condition

Good used vintage condition with noticeable cover and edge wear.

This is not a mint or unused copy.

The magazine has clearly been handled and stored over many years, but the photographed pages remain readable and the main cover artwork is well preserved despite the visible cosmetic imperfections.

The condition of every internal page cannot be guaranteed without a complete page-by-page inspection.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Original Extras and Promotional Items

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

This listing is for the original magazine only.

Packaging and Shipping

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

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Dispatched in a protective cardboard mailer-size box to provide additional protection during overseas shipping.

Summary

An original Classic Racer Summer 1987 Issue 18 – Isle of Man TT Special, featuring historic motorcycle racing articles on Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Geoff Duke, the Arter Matchless, Kirby AJS 7R and Lawton Aermacchi.

A desirable period motorcycle publication containing historical racing features, archive photographs, classic motorcycle tests and Isle of Man TT history.

SKU: 1601