Sammy Miller – MBE
By TMX Archives on 7th Jan 09
LIVING motorcycle legend Sammy Miller has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.Sam's award, cheered by motorcyclists everywhere, is in recognition of his services to motorcycle heritage. Founder of the Sammy Miller Foundation Trust Motorcycle Museum, Sammy has worked tirelessly, restoring over 400 rare and classic motorcycles.
Born in Ulster, Sammy is probably the world's most successful trials rider of all time. For eleven consecutive years (1959 – 1969, six on Ariel, five on Bultaco) he was the British Trials Cham-pion and twice took the European title. It is estimated that he won more than 1,400 trials events during his long and successful career, which covers road racing, sand racing, grass track racing and winning championships in all. Sam of course continues to be active in motorcycling, still winning after a remarkable competitive span of more than 50 years.
Although best known to T+MX readers as a trials rider, Sam went on to assemble an envied private collection of motorcycles which he formed into a museum in 1983. The museum has now been placed into a trust to leave behind a legacy for future generations. The museum near New Milton houses one of the finest collections of fully restored motorcycles in the world, including factory racers, exotic prototypes and memorabilia spanning seven decades of motorcycling. Sammy's famous Ariel with the registration GOV 132, without doubt the world's most famous trials bike, holds pride of place, as not only did Sam design the bike, he went on to win hundreds of trials competitions.
Historically important exhibits include the only working world-championship winning AJS Porcupine, the 1939 495cc AJS Four (the first to lap a Grand Prix course at over 100mph) and a 1905 Norton, the oldest known Norton in the world.
The collection is constantly updated and each new addition requires a full renovation to which Sammy devotes 12 hours a day, tirelessly beavering away in his workshop, personally carrying out the work.
At least one Miller machine has been at every Classic Bike Show since 1983. Through his efforts, Sammy has personally ensured the survival of many rare British bikes which he shares with the public by touring and through demonstrations.
Sammy has devoted his entire life to the sport and demonstrated a lifelong commitment. The Museum is testament to the fact that Sammy is not just an outstanding sportsman but a very skilled restorer, ambassador and custodian of motorcycle history.
Said Sam, "I am extremely honoured to receive this award and would like to express my thanks to all those who have supported me over the years.”