Sammy Miller Museum Nears Completion

By John Bramall

The Sammy Miller Museum Trust continues to grow, also it continues to receive important exhibits to add to the existing collection. It was set up in 1964, after Sammy set up a parts business in New Milton. The business developed further after Sammy put a few of his old racing motorcycles in the corner, which eventually became the catalyst of the present day museum. It is now held in Trust, houses some 300 machines, including motorcycles and three wheeled vehicles. All machines are still in working order, which makes a huge difference to any exhibit.

Sammy is committed to developing and protecting the Museum contents for future generations. Currently work on a major new extension is in progress, and it is hoped that this will be completed by Easter. This will ensure that the unique motorcycling collection which Sammy has built up over five decades is kept together and safeguarded for the nation. The Museum has received great support from the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust who have confirmed that the Museum Trust will be their HQ for the UK, along with displaying many of their wonderful bikes, This will make it one of the biggest motorcycle museums in the world, and needless to say will enjoy many visitors from many Countries, certainly putting the New Forest and New Milton firmly on the Tourist Map.

As with all world class collections, it is critical to both protect the existing portfolio and add appropriate exhibits and heritage assets to improve the depth and quality of the wider museum. The extra space will enable the Museum Trust significantly to improve public access to the collection and its value as a unique educational resource. Among the collection of machines, the Museum includes many rare and historic racing and trials motorcycles, including Norton, AJS, Matchless, Triumph, Ariel, Scott, and Moto Guzzi. Recent new arrivals include a 1969 1177cc Munch Mammoth, as the World's first Superbike it could accelerate in top gear from 20mph to 120 mph in top gear.

The new and updated Museum Guide is now available in the Museum or by post. In this new edition Sammy has included some of the more established and popular bikes. This includes such exotic machines as a 1957 Moto Guzzi VS, top speed 179 mph. One outstanding machine that I would love to get to see would be the 1955 250cc NSU Supermax, on which Sammy won over 30 races, including the North West 200 in 1956-57-58.

The Museum is located at Bashley Manor Cross Roads, New Forest National Park, New Milton BH25 5SX, Phone 01425-620-777/01425- 616- 644. Website www.sammymiller.co.uk .