AJS 350 Big Port Ernesto Gnesa 1923 Grand Prix of Nations winners Monza winner

Description

A superb and rare photo of Italian
Ernesto Gnesa
sitting on his
A.J.S. 350 Big Port
racing machine after winning the prestigious Grand Prix of Nations that was ridden on the
Circuit of Monza
in
1923
.
Ernesto Gnesa
was one of the very first Italian racers who travelled abroad to participate in foreign races.
As early as in 1908 he travelled to the
Isle of Man
to participate in the T.T.
He was probably the first Italian to do so.
He rode the Senior T.T. on his Rex V-twin.
We have a lovely image of him on that bike in a studio, if you’re interested.
In 1921 he won the Grand Prix of Italy and the very prestigious race for
Douglas
at the Circuito delle Tre Regioni.
Contact us if you are interested in a photo of Gnesa on his winning
Douglas
.
In 1922 and 1923, as part of the Garelli team, he broke a string of impressive world records, no less then
76 in
1923!
In 1924 Ernesto Gnesa retired from racing.
The famous
AJS 350 racing machine
, nicknamed in 1922 “
Big Port
“ (because of the rather large dimensioned exhaust port), was one of the most successful 350cc racing machines that ever existed.
No wonder, as very early on since the beginning of AJS motorcycle history in 1909 the company had a name to upheld in racing.
In 1920
Cyril
Williams
won the first post World War I Isle of Man 350cc Junior TT on a 350 AJS.
A year later, in 1921, AJS also took the first four places in the 1921 Isle of Man TT!
And the founder of H.R.D.,
Howard
R.
Davies
, won that year also the 500cc Senior TT on a 350cc AJS.
This was the very first time ever that a 350 had won the 500 cc Senior TT race.
Successes continued throughout the decades.
Initially with the 350, later with the Big Port, followed by the famous 350 7R “ Boyracer “ which dominated clubman’s racing for almost 3 decades.
The
AJS 350 Big Port
featured a vertical single cylinder engine.
Its 2 overhead valves were pushrod driven.
A novelty at the time were the cylindrical valve springs, instead of the more commonly seen hairpin valvesprings.
The
Big
Port
was a very well build, compact racing machine with a magnificent engine that was as powerful as it was reliable.
Shown
on the photo
is
Ernesto Gnesa sitting on his A.J.S. 350 Big Port racing machine after winning the prestigious Grand Prix of Nations that was ridden on the Circuit of Monza in 1923.
The negative dates from 1923.
This
non period
photo reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycling and AJS history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 8" (ca. 20 x
20 cm
).
Contact us for more motorcycle photos of the old and famous American and European motorcycle brands and save on shipping!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.