Hand built by genius engineer Fred Marsh in the 1960s, the mythical Marsh V8 500cc motorcycle has been acquired by the National Motorcycle Museum.

The V8 joins its sister bike, the Marsh 4 Cylinder 500cc race machine, which was purchased nearly 20 years ago by the museum.  

Thought to be lost, the V8 has been in secret storage since 1979, in the safe hands of previous owner Don Lowman.

Don worked under Fred Marsh as an apprentice in the late 1950s, when they became lifelong friends. When Fred passed away, Don was given the machine by Fred’s widow, with the bike last being used on the road over 45 years ago!

Probably THE classic motorcycle discovery of the decade, more details on the machine’s restoration will follow in the coming weeks.