The Book
The John Britten Story (30th Anniversary Edition) is NOW available at the Britten Museum.
Only $90.00* includes one FREE admission into the Britten Museum.
*Book + Postage NZ wide is $105
*Book + Postage outside NZ is $140-$220 (depending on location, see below)
If you’re local – shoot in and grab a book otherwise we will post one out to you. You’ll also receive one FREE adult pass into the museum, valid to June 2030. This FREE pass is transferable if the book is being purchased as a gift.
International Shipping available
What Visitors Will Experience
There were many chapters in the life of John Britten. While most remember him for creating one of the world’s greatest motorcycles, that was only one part of an extraordinary story. John was a man of many talents — a husband, father, and loyal friend.
He was the pied piper of a dream that became reality. A visionary with determination and work ethic, John also understood the power of teamwork. His charm and charisma drew in talented people from New Zealand and around the world, all inspired to help him achieve the impossible.
This museum endeavours to tell that story. We know we can never capture everything he accomplished, but we will keep building on this monument to honour one of the world’s greatest engineers.
"John was an amazing person. He was driven, he was determined and he continually strived for perfection. The continuing success of the Britten V1000 was a tribute to John's vision."
- Andrew Stroud.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Best known for his revolutionary hand-built ‘pink and blue’ motorcycles, John Britten’s machines set four world speed records and claimed the 1995 World BEARS Championship. Only ten Britten V1000 motorcycles were ever produced, and today these extraordinary machines are valued at more than $2 million each — cementing their place among the rarest and most remarkable motorcycles ever built.
Mike Pero, a six-time New Zealand Motorcycle Road Racing Champion, is the sole financial donor of the project. Together with fellow trustees, Craig Roberts, Kirsteen Britten and Felicity Price they established The John Britten Preservation Trust — a not-for-profit charitable trust created to ensure the museum endures for future generations.
“This is about more than motorcycles - it’s about celebrating John’s vision, determination, entrepreneurship, and ingenuity - the very qualities that made John Britten a global icon and an enduring inspiration to Kiwis.”
— Mike Pero
Photo kindly provided by The Press
Honouring a Visionary
John Kenton Britten (1950–1995) passed away at just 45 following a battle with melanoma. John’s gift of dyslexia enabled him to define what was possible in engineering and motorsport - building world-class machines on a shoestring budget from his Matai Street garage with a small, passionate team.
Pero reflects:
“John demanded excellence in everything he did. He proved that with vision and perseverance, Kiwis can take on the world - and win. I believe John was New Zealand’s answer to Leonardo da Vinci – he was well ahead of his time. More than 30 years after John’s passing, interest in his extraordinary work continues to grow. Together, Craig, Kirsteen, Felicity, and I are proud to present the Britten Museum — a tribute to a remarkable man, a lasting legacy to his genius, and an inspiration for generations to come.”