1961 McIntyre Special Replica

1961 McIntyre Special Replica

Claimed power: 54hp @ 7,600rpm
Top speed: 135mph (est.)
Engine: 496cc Matchless SOHC air-cooled single
Weight (w/oil): 271lb (123kg)
Fuel capacity: 3.7gal (14ltr)

In 1961, Scotland’s Bob McIntyre and ace welder and mechanic Alex Crummie created an all-new chassis to house an AJS 7R 348cc race engine. Lower, lighter and stiffer than any factory frame, the McIntyre Special was in many ways the first modern British single. Only one was built, but thanks to Kiwi Ross Graham, a second, near perfect replica is prowling the classic race scene.

Bob McIntyre — aka “The Flying Scot” — was the first man to lap the Isle of Man TT Course at over 100mph, in 1957. A versatile, self-effacing and universally popular rider, he started racing almost by accident, grabbing a hat-trick of race wins at his very first meeting on a borrowed BSA Gold Star.

McIntyre swiftly rose to prominence racing motorcycles furnished by his sponsor, Glasgow, Scotland, motor trader Joe Potts. Potts’ premises encompassed car sales, taxi and funeral hire businesses, dictating extensive workshops that also served to underpin his passion for racing — on both two and four wheels. Potts began racing in 1949 in 500cc Formula 3 driving a Cooper powered by both 500cc single and 1000cc V-twin Vincent engines. In 1950, Potts produced his own F3 racer, powered by a long-stroke Norton Manx engine, and over the next five years built more than 30 for customers. At the same time, he began sponsoring McIntyre on Manx Nortons with such success that McIntyre was picked by Gilera to replace an injured Geoff Duke for the 1957 GP season. McIntyre repaid them handsomely, winning both Senior and Junior TT races in the Isle of Man TT’s Golden Jubilee year, and helping teammate Libero Liberati regain the 500cc World title from Gilera rival MV Agusta. MC