The Department of Infrastructure’s Vehicle Test Centre played a leading part in bringing Top Gear’s much-publicised Meccano sidecar to life.
The Meccano creation has drawn widespread interest during this year’s Festival of Motorcycling after completing its first lap of the TT course on Wednesday, with Top Gear presenter James May giving it full throttle.
The Department was contacted in May this year by a researcher from Plum Pictures to discuss the building of a Meccano battery-powered motorcycle and sidecar, with the project being led by James and Top Gear colleague Oz Clarke.
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said: ‘They wanted to know if we could test it and register it in the Isle of Man and the Vehicle Test Centre and Licensing Office worked together to achieve this.
‘During the build, the Vehicle Test Centre was in regular contact with Sim Oakley, the designer and builder, to discuss what would be needed for the roadworthiness test. For example, Nyloc nuts were recommended, as they are a special type of nut that do not work loose with vibrations.’
The motorcycle was tested on Tuesday, August 27th and licensed on the morning of August 28th at the Sea Terminal. The motorcycle was taxed as an electric vehicle.
Mr Cretney said: ‘Staff at the Vehicle Test Centre entered into the spirit of things and assisted the team to add a speedometer and horn to enable the vehicle to pass the road worthiness test and be registered. However, the Department would like to encourage people not to bring their Meccano vehicles for testing…!
‘The vehicle was registered on a temporary basis as “MAN 2013”. However, that number will be returned to the Department where it will be on sale along with the rest of the personalised registration numbers that we have available.’
The Department’s staff helped the organisers liaise with Isle of Man Constabulary and Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling organisers with regard to using the vehicle on both closed and open roads.
When the motorcycle leaves the Island it is going to a Meccano museum in France, and it is understood that a programme about the project will be shown on television this Christmas.
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