Engineer John Britten dreamed of designing a world-beating motorbike.
Then he went one better.
He and his team built the dream – in his Christchurch workshop, on a budget, by hand.
Just 10 Britten V1000s, and two earlier versions, were made.
The Britten V1000 was beautiful and powerful.
It had a radical new engine, lightweight carbon-fibre body, and streamlined design.
It turned heads from the first time it appeared on international racetracks, in 1992.
It broke four world speed records for motorcycles 1000cc and under – clocking 302 kilometres per hour in 1993.
Sadly, two years later, John Britten died from cancer, at age 45.
His passion, creativity, and can-do attitude continue to inspire.