I don’t want to be 90!” declared nonagenarian Sammy Miller MBE as he roared into his Hampshire museum on his fabulous 1957 works Gilera 500-4 replica, thus proving that age is but a number.
Still riding a trials bike and a bicycle daily, ‘Golden’ Miller was 90 on 11 November. The following day, staff at the Sammy Miller Museum, led by manager Sharon Bumpsteed, organised a surprise party attended by family, friends and VIPS.
Hosted by classic bike racer and journalist Alan Cathcart, this memorable day also celebrated 40 years of the Sammy Miller Museum.
Tributes were paid by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, former works Honda and Suzuki rider Stuart Graham, and Sammy’s architect son Stuart Miller.
VIPs attending included 1977 world F3 champion John Kidson, former motocross ace and manufacturer Don Rickman, industry key player (mainly Norton and Greeves) Mike Jackson, televised specials builder Allen Millyard, and industry historian Nick Jeffery.
Miller was particularly pleased that the 1958 works Ariel trials team was re-united – namely himself, Ron Langston, and Gordon Blakeway, who had travelled from Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Members of the Miller family attending, as well as son Stuart, included daughter Jane, her husband Phil Wilson, and six grandchildren.
Indefatigable Miller used the occasion to reveal that a new separate restaurant is planned at the museum, thus allowing the present tea rooms to house up to 50 more bikes, which could bring the collection up to 500 machines. He added that Stuart, Jane and Phil, museum trustees, will keep the museum under family control for the nation and overseas visitors.
Sammy and his wife Rosemary, thanked the museum staff and volunteers for their work and for organising the special party.
Re-emphasising the point that 90 was anathema, Miller, the most successful trials rider of all time, was clearly delighted by the occasion, and pride in his museum shone through.
“Only five bikes in this museum don’t work, and one of them is wooden!” he declared in his usual forthright manner. “I try to look forwards and not backwards,” he added.
“We are in the presence of a living legend,” said Lord Montagu, whose late father founded the first motor museum in 1952, adding motorcycles in 1956. Referring to Miller’s magnificent trophy cabinet and list of nearly 1500 trials awards, Lord Montagu suggested his achievements be submitted to the Guinness Book of Records.
TT winner Stuart Graham, son of the first-ever 500cc world champion (Les Graham, 1949), said: “It is a great pleasure to come to this wonderful venue and celebrate your 90th birthday after you have spent your entire life trying not to reach old age!”
Thanking everyone for their attendance, Stuart Miller said: “Dad’s enthusiasm and drive know no bounds. What he has created here is quite extraordinary. The museum is an amazing legacy. With brother-in-law Phil and sister Jane, we intend to preserve it.”
Sammy’s son-in-law, Phil Wilson, commented: “We are enthusiasts acutely aware of the importance of the museum for motorcycle heritage and Sam’s legacy,” adding, “I have observed him close up for 40 years, and he is relentless… a bundle of energy.”
The entrance to Sammy Miller’s on-site restoration workshop bears the plaque Another Day in Paradise.Miller has created this paradise and continues to defy age and any thought of retirement. He’s 90 going on 21.