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Ton-up Boys

Rockabilly racers rev up to do the illegal ton on the road.

News 1962 8 mins

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Overview

Rockabilly bikers are gathered by a transport café on the A38 Exeter to Plymouth road. They are the ton-up boys taking off into the night. British biker subculture originates in the 1950s and is influenced by American pop culture and the rock and roll music of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry. 1960s rockers portray a rebellious image emulating the cool moody actor James Dean with white t-shirt and socks, jeans and crepe shoes, leather jacket, quiff and motorbike.

The ton-up boys create a lifestyle out of motorbike racing. The aim is to reach the speed of one hundred miles an hour in other words do the ton. The transport café is the starting and finishing post for races and games such as buzzing or chicken are played. Chicken is putting a record on the jukebox and running to your bike and doing the ton and returning before the song finishes. Chicken is also doing a u-turn lean where the outer edges of the tyre touches the road used to measure a rider’s skill. Look at Life - Behind the Ton-up Boys (1964) is a film produced by the 59 Club led by Reverend John Oates. Father William Shergold held a church service for motorcyclists in 1962 and biker culture hit the mainstream.

Genres
NewsCurrent affairs
Released
1962
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Plymouth
Language
English

Subjects

Road traffic Roads Motorcycles Transport 1960s