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Neracar Fever
by Alice Muirhead A Neracar?!?! What in the world is a Neracar?? Not many people around here in Searcy Arkansas know the answer to this question, but my husband, Buddy Muirhead does. In fact, he has one. A 1924 motorcycle that he and his brother, Jerry had in 1943-44. His father bought this motorcycle from his brother-in-law in Vicksburg, MS for the sum of $12.00. After some modifications the boys rode it around Greenville, MS until Jerry wrecked it and damaged the engine. To make a long story short, Jerry moved several times, finally winding up in Denver, CO in 1956 with the Neracar in pieces. It stayed in his garage until two years ago. We were visiting Jerry and his wife, Barb when Buddy saw the frame hanging in the garage and asked Jerry to let him bring it home so he could restore it. That was quite an undertaking, since they don’t make them anymore. It’s impossible to buy parts except from collectors, at swap-meets, etc. But where there’s a will there’s a way. Buddy got on the internet and contacted a man from Loughborough, England named Ken Philp who had written a book about restoring Neracars. Buddy bought the book and began to correspond with Ken by e-mail, which led to a friendship, though we have never met face-to-face. Ken was quite helpful in finding parts. Since the engine had been lost after a few moves, Ken found one in Wales and talked the owner into selling it to Buddy. It was shipped by air-freight to Little Rock. What an exciting day when it arrived. Ken helped in getting other parts, and put him in touch with more people who could help him. After two years of contacting people, buying used parts, and having some made, Buddy now has a restored 1924 Neracar. This endeavor led to many friendships and acquaintances all over the US and some abroad. Recently we took the Neracar to Birmingham, AL to the Barber Motorsports Museum to participate in a show put on by the Confederate Chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America. This was Buddy’s first ever show, and he was competing against some very expensive rigs, some of which were professionally restored. We are proud to say that the Neracar won three awards - 1st in class, Most Unique Motorcycle, and the biggee - PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD. If you attended the White County Fair Parade last September in Searcy, you saw Buddy riding his antique motorcycle. He was even properly attired. His wife, Alice, made an English style belted suit with nickers. And he really looked sharp. This is a very rare motorcycle. They were made in Syracuse, NY, and in England by Sheffield-Simplex. But not many were made, and there are probably less than 10 in this country that run. England has more. Ken says it is rare to find one that has been in the same family for it’s entire life, such as the one Buddy has. If you ever see him coming, be sure and listen for his “Auugah” horn, for he will surely be blowing it, and grinning from ear to ear. |
