Chasing the Whitworth thread
The motorcycle display section of Brooklands Museum features an eclectic mix of machinery. All the exhibits have some relevance to the rich history of what was, for years, Britain’s only dedicated race circuit. Manufacturers recording success in racing or record-breaking were almost guaranteed a sales fillip. During its heyday between the wars the tuning sheds and circuit were constantly busy. The museum has representatives of many famous marques, but the inclusion of an example from the long-defunct Rex-Acme concern might well pique a visitor’s curiosity.
Rex linked with Coventry Acme to produce bikes in 1922, but production only lasted until 1933. The Brooklands exhibit is a 1926 350, with a Blackburne engine. The minimal build looks more in keeping with an Ultra Lightweight, but its achievements merit a far greater stature. The accompanying information board reveals some of the bike’s history, but there’s a lot more to tell.
The bike had been
