PHIL IRVING
BORN: 06.05.1903
PASSED AWAY: 14.01.1992
A short time before Phil died, he had a brief time with Motoring Journalist - Graham Howard. With Edith's O.K. the following is submitted.
"I suppose I would probably have become a farmer if all the things had not happened which led to my becoming an engineer. It I not easy to decide which of my designs has been the most satisfying, but on reflection I think I would say the Black Shadow. For me it was most satisfying because of the breadth of its achievements, by which I mean that Back Shadows held national speed record in almost every country of the world, while they were also very good touring bikes and made some great long-distance trips.
I do get some satisfaction, too, from Repco Brabham V8 engines I was the sole engineer of the 1966 engine, which won that year's Formula One championship despite the doubts of experts. You could say I'm the only Australian - in fact probably the only bloke in the world - who has designed both a record-breaking bike and world championship car.
It is always difficult, trying to wrap things up. How do you know when you've got to the end?"
BORN: 06.05.1903
PASSED AWAY: 14.01.1992
A short time before Phil died, he had a brief time with Motoring Journalist - Graham Howard. With Edith's O.K. the following is submitted.
"I suppose I would probably have become a farmer if all the things had not happened which led to my becoming an engineer. It I not easy to decide which of my designs has been the most satisfying, but on reflection I think I would say the Black Shadow. For me it was most satisfying because of the breadth of its achievements, by which I mean that Back Shadows held national speed record in almost every country of the world, while they were also very good touring bikes and made some great long-distance trips.
I do get some satisfaction, too, from Repco Brabham V8 engines I was the sole engineer of the 1966 engine, which won that year's Formula One championship despite the doubts of experts. You could say I'm the only Australian - in fact probably the only bloke in the world - who has designed both a record-breaking bike and world championship car.
It is always difficult, trying to wrap things up. How do you know when you've got to the end?"
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