Britten Motorcycles: The John Britten Story

by Felicity Price

John Britten was a Kiwi legend of the late 20th century whose distinctive, hand-built, pink-and-blue racing motorcycle broke four world speed records and reached iconic status worldwide. Tragically, he died of cancer at just 45. Eight years later, Britten Motorcycles tells the inside story of the world's most innovative motorbike - and the man, his family, and the friends who made the dream of winning the world's toughest motorcycle races come true. John Britten's passion for building his own motorcycle and determination to succeed are legendary - but there was much more to the man. He was at once a devoted family man, a tireless enthusiast, party animal and charismatic boy who had refused to grow up. His works ranged from exquisite Tiffany-style lamps to beautiful buildings and restored cars, trucks and motorbikes.Tragically, John Britten died of cancer at just 45. This is the inside story of the world's most innovative motorbike - and the man, his family, and the friends who made the dream of winning the world's toughest motorcycle races come true- Only authorized biography of John Britten- Profusely illustrated with photographs from the Britten Motorcycle Company archives and family albums- More than 50 people were interviewed to piece together the full storyAbout the AuthorFelicity Price is a New Zealand based journalist and book author.

Genres: Biography

143 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2004

About the author

Felicity Price is the author of eight romance suspense novels featuring contemporary women. Three also follow the hardships of women struggling to survive in the wild west of colonial New Zealand, showing their descendants how ghosts of the past can influence the future.
Her two children, now adults starting families of their own, have provided a constant source of inspiration for the family situation of the fictional Penny Rushmore (featured in four of the novels), who has recently become a grandma herself.
Gone Tomorrow is Felicity’s ninth novel and the fourth in the bestselling Penny Rushmore series originally published by Random House. She is also the author of a regular online column on Stuff Lifestyle about the professional, social, physical and emotional joys and issues facing older women.
Felicity is also the author of three works of non-fiction, including the biography of motorcycle icon John Britten. All her life, Felicity has been a writer – from doodling in notebooks at the back of science class to the demanding world of daily television, radio, print and magazine journalism.
Felicity has an MA in Creative Writing from the New Zealand Institute of Modern Letters and an MA Honours in English literature.
Other novels by Felicity Price: A Jolt to the Heart, 2014; In Her Mothers’ Shoes, 2012; Head over Heels, 2010; A Sandwich Short of a Picnic, 2008; Split Time, 2006; Call of the Falcon, 2004; No Angel, 2002; Dancing in the Wilderness, 2001

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who have any interest of knowledge in motorcycle racing will know who John Britten is. A mercurial designer who built motorcycles in his garage, in Christchurch New Zealand which surpassed the multi-million dollar budgets and hundred person factories in Europe and around the world. The Britten motorcycles in their heyday were so unorthodox, yet so highly performing they were challenged only by their own reliability. They set records almost every time they raced, they pushed the envelope so hard, and were so unique that no motorcycle enthusiast could be unaware of them.

That John Britten was a motorcycle genius is a given. But as an entrepreneur, an innovator and an inspiration he is perhaps less recognised outside of New Zealand.

This book by Felicity Price is a biography, accompanied by many excellent photographs, which explores all of Brittan's life. For a bike enthusiast it contains loads of photographs of the 10 Britten bikes, during development, and racing, along with loads of statistics, annual racing achievements and records etc - an unparalleled publication.

For others, this book also covers John's family life, his work as a designer (furniture, jewellery, glass lampshades, vehicles, architecture), his work in property - again as a designer, but also in pioneering construction techniques, in alternative thinking, and in houses, apartments and his intentions with the Cathedral Junction development project.

When he died from cancer in 1995, aged only 45, many people expressed with surprise that "it was amazing something else didn't kill him before cancer - the dare-devil, push-it-to-the-max attitude that saw him launch hang gliders that were too difficult for him to learn on, fly planes he wasn't licensed to, ride bikes, cars and jet-boats faster and further than anyone, work with lead, burn toxic tar off tiles for months on end, and handle polyurethane and carbon fibre on an almost daily basis." (P120)

The biggest thinking point on this book, and Britten in general, is what a man like him might have achieved in a whole lifetime, given he achieved so much in such a short life?

John Britten remains a legend in New Zealand, perhaps Christchurch in particular, and this is an excellent book, well worth reading if it can be obtained. While not particularly rare, these books hold a higher value now than when originally sold. My copy is signed by Britten's widow, Kirsteen Britten.

5 stars.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a New Zealander who builds a racing bike from scratch. He was laughed but ends up wining Daytona.