The Thame Museum in Oxfordshire is paying tribute to local businessman and Velocette racer Ralph Seymour. It's called the R F Seymour Exhibition and opened on September 6th, running until October 25th. Up to 300 visitors attended the first day, including owners of vintage motorcycles and cars.
The family displayed several motorcycles as a memorial, including a 1967 Velocette 499cc Thruxton and a 1939 Velocette 348cc KTT Mk VIII. Ralph was known for his expertise in Velocette restorations, tuning, and race preparation which he did at his motorcycle dealership which opened on December 2, 1960.
Before this, he had been an active racer. In July 1939, he purchased a Velocette KTT Mk VIII and raced it at Donington Park before the outbreak of World War II. He kept the motorcycle for six years, using it again in the Manx Grand Prix 1946 until he reached the TT race in 1951.
His dealership also grew, selling various brands such as Norton, BSA, Lambretta, Honda, and Suzuki. His Hawthorne Works also became well-known, receiving customers from as far away as San Francisco.
Ralph passed away on February 2, 1994. After more than 50 years in business, his dealership closed in 2012. His legacy continues to be celebrated today at the Thame Museum.
