In 1938, just outside of London , a tradition was begun. The Ace Café was built to serve as a roadside stop for motorists, and since it was open twenty-four hours a day it soon became a favorite stop for motorcyclists as well. The café flourished up until it was badly damaged during an air raid during World War II, but after that time it was reopened in a temporary location and subsequently rebuilt on the original spot in 1949. During this era, a time when the British motorcycle industry was at its peak, the post-war "teenage" boom also came along and with the advent of rock and roll music, the Ace Café became a place to discuss motorcycles and hot rods, as well as hear the latest popular songs on the Ace's jukebox! It was a place where "Ton Up Boys" raced their bikes through the streets at speeds of 100 miles per hour and where café racers were named as bikers rode their bikes from café to café. It was a time where "speed thrilled and tea spilled" as British highways had no speed limits! Finally, in the late 1960s, which included the expansion of the British motorway network, the Ace served its last meal in 1969. After closing, the building was used as a café, filling station, and lately as a tire depot; however, its glory days as a mecca of all that was cool were about to return.

In 1993, Mark Wilsmore, envisioned what has been referred to as the Ace Café Reunion. Mark wanted to impress upon people that there was an historical significance that the Ace Café possessed, and he also wanted to ensure that the Ace would soon reopen! Consequently, in 1994 a reunion took place that attracted more than 12,000 folks for a day of cool cars, motorcycles, and classic rock and roll! A documentary was filmed at the event that also retraced the history of the Ace, and since that time, well you could say that the rest is history! Recently, Brian Jackson and the crew from Corbin's Ride On had the chance to jaunt across the pond to England to visit this historic landmark where they found the place to be just as rockin' today as it ever was!

First, Brian spoke to a few members of the crowd who were on hand including Mark Wilsmore who talked about the significance of the Ace Café today. Mark stated that international visitors seem to be finding their way to the Ace to learn more about the café's history, and locally there are more specialized events such as Triumph night, Harley night, Yamaha night, and Honda Day. Cole Right was on hand while Brian was there and talked about the freedom that the Ace Café represented-he also said that he wants to be where he can look at motorcycles and talk about them. Sarah Bradley emphasized how she likes the mix of people who hang at the Ace and how it is a way to escape the politics of everyday life. She also added that she likes the eclectic combination of moderns and classics as well as the street and race bikes too! She has also noticed that people travel everywhere to visit the Ace and that recently she had chatted with several Americans who had come to England for the sole purpose of seeing the Ace Cafe! Brian also had a chance to speak with Tim Halahan, an original "Ton Up Boy" who talked about how they would hang at the Ace and drink tea all night. There was no doubt that he had some great stories that we had not yet heard.

Today, if you visit the Ace, you will still see Triumphs, Nortons, and BSAs. You will also hear great music as well as experience some fantastic food and drink. There, you will see neon, and bikes, bikes, and more bikes. Come to think of it, it doesn't sound as if things have changed at all, does it? It was truly "smashing" to attend a place that demonstrates so much history concerning motorcycling. Ultimately, the Ace Café doesn't represent a particular brand of bike, but instead stands for an international lifestyle celebrated by people past and present-and as far as we could tell, the Ace Café is rocking and rolling again and will be for some time to come! If you would like to learn more about the Ace Café and its history, take a peek on the web at www.ace-café-london.com .

Back to Episode CRN9003