Newsletter No 29 - VMCC - Isle of Man

The Museum moved to Christian Street in Peel in 1964, and stayed there for
5 years. Restrictions on the museum advertising in Peel became a sore point,
so it was time to move on yet again. It was to a place that was to become the
World Famous Murray's Motorcycle Museum at the Bungalow on the T.T.
course. For motorcycle enthusiasts and as a tourist attraction, it was the place
to visit. Lots of vintage and very rare motorcycles were on display, as well
as plenty of memorabilia. As time went on it became more and more
expensive to run the museum, as the running costs were paid by the Murray
family, with no grants or funding whatsoever from the Isle of Man. The lease
on the building was due to be renewed, and the rent was to increase. The only
money coming in was via a donation box on entering the museum, and the
buying and selling of some of the stock.
So after 37 years, the son, Peter, decided to move from the T.T. course. In
2006, Peter got in touch with Steve Griffith, who is the son of John Griffith,
the road test journalist for 'The Motorcycle' magazine, an avid collector of
rare motorcycles. Steve, who is also a Motorcycle and Memorabilia dealer,
was called upon to help sell some of the bikes that had been in the Murray's
Museum. The sale of some of the motorcycles would help finance the move
and restock the museum with road and race bikes from a more modem age.
John dreams of winning…
One of the motorcycles that proved to be the most sought after, on display
and for sale, was a Honda works 125cc twin cylinder, the racer from
1961.This was the bike that was given to Charlie from Mr. Honda's private
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