Dutch TT Assen 1954 | Shell Historical Film Archive

The iconic 1954 Dutch TT, where the legendary English rider Geoff Duke stole the show with a historic victory in the 500cc category on an Italian machine. This film captures the essence of the event, as riders raced past serene pastures with grazing cows and horses, while spectators eagerly watched from behind rustic straw bales.
Assen, a charming town in the northern Netherlands, served as the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable race day. Over a hundred motorcycles gathered at the ten-mile circuit, showcasing the latest models from renowned factory teams and privately owned machines. These motorcycles weren't just about winning races; they were also a testing ground for new ideas and designs.
With a crowd of 150,000 spectators, the day featured four separate races for motorcycles of various capacities, ranging from 125cc to 500cc.
For more information about Shell’s Historic Film Archive please contact: [e-mail]
#Shell #ShellFilmUnit #HistoricFilmArchive #Documentary #History #Engineering #Motorsport #Assen #Motorcycle
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Shell’s surprising and captivating Historic Film Archive dates from 1934 and covers a rich mix of topics from technology, science and engineering to craftsmanship, motorsport and travelogue.
The Shell Film Unit, responsible for the content, was a highly celebrated part of Britain’s Documentary Movement. Key figures from that movement were involved, including: Jack Beddington, Edgar Anstey, Arthur Elton, John Grierson, Kay Mander, Stuart Legg and Douglas Gordon.
Its films were wide reaching, often screened in cinemas and through the non-theatric film distribution circuit, which brought film to educational establishments and organisations across the UK. While many films covered technological themes related to Shell’s activities, others were entirely unrelated and served purely to educate the general public.
As Shell innovated in technologies that would provide oil and gas products for the world, the Shell Film Unit also innovated in the technological advancement of film, incorporating graphics and different forms of animation as early as the 1930s.
During WW2 the Shell Film Unit was co-opted into war effort, making films for the Ministry of Information’s film division. Its prowess in technological documentary suited the MoI’s need for technical training films.
While the name and the medium has changed many times over the years, the documentary tradition lives on at Shell. Its contemporary film team is part of Shell’s multi-disciplinary in-house agency, Creative Solutions. It continues making award-winning factual content that informs and educates the public, now usually released on social media platforms.

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If you enjoyed this video, please check out the full 'Shell Film Unit - Historic Archive' playlist, where you'll find lots more gems! kzbin.info/aero/PLEPIVJVCFQH2hoYONdHiQlVrvYQ-k4Xay

[@kalle123]

Excellent film in amazing quality. Thank you for posting!

[@lesteranddonna]

Imagine the precious riders today seeing this !

[@apacherider7110]

A fantastic film. I just love watching motorcycle racing the past. It was a lot more glamorous in those days, especially the women, very elegant.

[@richardmichael1124]

The golden age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

[@malcolmwhite6588]

The golden age of lots of things, Richard, I notice lots of great looking but down-to-earth, well dressed, normal woman helping on the track today they will be dolled up, or will have to be paid to do it

[@Romit12]

I thought it was the 90s and 2000s

[@simonbertioli4696]

Great video...good old memories...that was the year l was born...😊

[@pedrodelcampo4040]

The year of my first contact with the racing motorcycles, I was 8 years old, and suddenly I discovered my great passion for engines, becoming with the time my job during 47 years...More, today I follow to practise building an engine for my living room.....

[@funonoldwheels7150]

I'm only 50, but my old man raced at that time, and I grew up reading and watching films about racing at that time, and absolutely love this time period, and the film style.

[@hartmutwrith3134]

Oh how wonderfull. A time capsule of real motor sport.

[@Fastvoice]

The last Dutch TT on public roads. 1955 it took place at a new and much shorter permanent racetrack.

[@borderlands6606]

A great old round-the-houses course.

[@knighttuttrupriprock9733]

That was fun, really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting!

[@superbikebox]

Klasse !

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I had no idea in 1954 a girl like that existed, WOW.

[@57dogsbody]

Love the 'dustbin' fairings of that era. BTW, the DKW is a 3 cylinder motorcycle not a 2 cylinder as the voice over says.

[@brianperry]

Yes, it had a reputation for being the loudest motorcycle ever…the chain saw….possibly superseded by a Honda Six on song….l never got to see the DKW but l did see, and hear the Honda six a few times……it was loud!!

[@simonbertioli4696]

Coooorect...and very low slung... interesting machine 😂👍

[@hartmutwrith3134]

so nice!!!

[@jsanches1000]

Maravilhoso

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

03:40 Ray Amm died racing in Italy in 1955.

[@richardmichael1124]

He died crashing his MV 350 cc in the wet at Rivazza 2 at Imola in 1955. It was his first race for MV.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

The sound is a bit off.

[@shirleydrury5565]

When we lead the world not just bikes but aircraft to. But we sold everything to country’s abroad .much the same as today .look at tar tear steal so so said . We are know longer GREAT BRITAIN😂😂😂

[@john1959ism]

Could you at least spell and use correct punctuation? It's called English composition.

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

If you watch the film we didn't even lead the world in bikes in 1954. AJS got a 3rd & 4th on 350's. Norton did a big bag of beggar all, apart from fail.

[@neilfurby555]

Good grief, what language is that?

[@CHIEF_420]

@Toyota 🤝 @shell 💧 + 🚆 con H2 combustión motor + Metanol-H2 estaciones = 🧀🧀🧀...

[@user-hr9yr1xe4b]

Shell Ukraine deceived me when filling up for money. And he refuses to compensate. I don't recommend filling up at Shell.

[@doylegaines1319]

Good to know - if I ever buy petrol in Ukraine.