TT Gallery officially opens at the Manx Museum

Tue, 30 May 2023

A new Isle of Man TT Gallery has opened at the Manx Museum. 

Featuring the world famous TT trophies, motorcycles, sidecars, leathers, helmets and memorabilia sourced from around the world, the gallery showcases the rich history of the Isle of Man TT races. 

In a world first, motorcycles, leathers and helmets are mounted upon the machines with which they are associated using fully jointed skeleton models, purpose-designed for use in this gallery, allowing leathers to be displayed in unique and unrivalled realistic poses. 

Machines on display including Mike Hailwood’s 1979 Senior TT winning Suzuki, the outfit driven by Dave Molyneux at the 2007 Centenary TT, Carl Fogarty’s 1992 Yamaha OWO1 and the Mugen electric machine ridden by John McGuinness.

One of the most iconic items in the gallery is an AJS motorcycle ridden in the 1914 Junior TT, located with thanks to the British Motorcycle Conservation Trust.  A rare survivor, the AJS is one of very few verified pre-First World War TT motorcycles to exist. 

The star exhibits however are undoubtedly the spectacular full sized Mercury trophies which have been presented to winners since the start of racing in 1907. The plaques around the base of each read like a who’s who of motorcycle racing history legends.

The TT gallery at the Manx Museum has been in serious planning and development since 2016, but the collection which lies at its heart has a much longer history.  Alongside iconic motorcycles and sidecar outfits, visitors will discover artefacts reflecting the entertainment of the TT festival and acknowledging the contributions of all who make the festival a success each year.

Within the gallery you will learn what motivates the riders, how the TT has been used by manufacturers and governments to promote their respective agendas and products and also wider questions of social history with sections dedicated to volunteers and fans. 

Manx National Heritage extends thanks to all those who have assisted with the gallery’s development.  The new gallery is open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm at the Manx Museum in Douglas.  Donations are welcome.

 

 

---