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During the late 1980s, Kiwi inventor John Britten developed and built a revolutionary racing motorcycle. He pursued his dream all the way to Daytona International Speedway, where, in 1992, as an unlikely underdog, he proceeded to beat the biggest and richest manufacturers in the world. Britten: Backyard Visionary documents the maverick motorcycle designer that Guggenheim curator Ultan Guilfoyle described as "the New Zealander who stood the world of racing-motorcycle design on its head."
Guggenheim curator Ultan Guilfoyle, describes inventor John Britten, as "the New Zealander who stood the world of racing-motorcycle design on its head". In a poll compiled by the world's leading motorcycle writers to rank the Motorcyclist of the ...
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The word legend rings loud in my mind when i remember watching john brittens story for the first time with my younger brother nearly 20yrs ago, his story has been fixed in my mind ever since. A humble genius who never did anything for the fame, only to prove a to himself he could.
Had tears in my eyes, when he was doing wheelies alongside the Ducati...seeing John so happy gave me goosebumps all over. Incredible, what this man has achieved! My all-time hero!! Greetings from germany to NZ.
I purchased the video some years ago, and haven't been able to play it since I no longer have a video player... If it was on DVD I would purchase it.... An incredible story of innovation and talent.... I grew up in Rhodesia where we had similar innovative people brought on by the fact Rhodesia had sanctions from the rest of the world. We had to innovate our way through life...
Just been watching the John Britten story on DVD and yep he was brilliant but the music in the program spoilt my enjoyment especially when it was playing over the top of people talking etc
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Television, 1990 (Full Length)
A documentary following the BMW team in the 1989 Wellington street race
Television, 1985
Directed by Ian Taylor
Film, 1995 (Trailer)
A story in which the spirit of a thousand year old Monk inhabits the mind of a contemporary New Zealand inventor
Film, 2004 (Full Length)
Doing it rough up north, with the demolition derby - kiwi style
Television, 2001 (Full Length)
A documentary about three Kiwi motor-racing legends: McLaren, Amon and Hulme
Television, 2005 (Full Length)
The story of another Kiwi motorcycle design legend
Short Film, 1948 (Full Length)
The 1948 NZ Motorcycle Grand Prix features in this newsreel
Short Film, 1949 (Full Length)
This newsreel features the 1949 Motorcycle Grand Prix
Television, 2006 (Full Length Episode)
John Britten’s son Sam does some inventing of his own.
Television, 1972 (Full Length Episode)
More motorcycle action
NZ ON SCREEN 2013
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
William Lithgow
Posted at 05.33PM - 28.03.2013
What a legend....! God only knows what he could`ve achieved if he hadn`t died so young ! Reminds me of the sort of British garden shed inventers like Barnes Wallace etc...! Found this via a link in MCN after Adam Child fullfilled a lifelong dream to ride one and he was totally blown away ! Only wish he could have lived on and done all the other things planned to do with motorcycles especially ! What a guy ! Hope he`s appreciated in NZ ! Peace Ye`All from Scotland !!