Volunteers have got together to reassemble and refurbish a TT sidecar outfit.

The outfit was acquired from a former racer in the island and was in several pieces and several crates.

The team, led by Norman Cowin, resprayed the frame and fitted wheels, radiator and engine as part of making it ready for display.

The machine will feature in the ‘Superfan’ area of a new gallery, which will display souvenirs collected by TT visitors.

The volunteers came from the Friends of Manx National Heritage and the Isle of Man branch of the Vintage Motorcycle Club.

The new TT gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas will feature the social history of the TT, highlighting personal stories on and off the track.

It is due to open in time for TT 2023.

Matthew Richardson, curator of art and social history, said: ‘Manx National Heritage is extremely grateful to Norman and his friends for their assistance with this part of the TT gallery project.

‘There is a long tradition on the island of visitors posing in novelty backdrops including cars and motorcycles. We are continuing that idea by giving our visitors an opportunity to try out the sidecar and snap a photo souvenir of their visit to the Manx Museum.’

Sidecars were introduced to the Isle of Man TT in 1923 over three laps of the mountain circuit and were an instant hit with enthusiasts.

Once a popular mode of transport, manufacturers felt that racing them around the Mountain Circuit was not the ideal way to promote their products, but 14 outfits lined up for the start of the three-lap race.

These worries were unfounded, with the favourites, solo star Freddie Dixon and his passenger Walter Denney, comfortably winning in their ‘banking’ outfit at an average speed of 53.15mph.

The new permanent exhibition gallery will tell the social history of the Isle of Man TT.

It will be open all year round and feature stories from riders, families, mechanics, marshals and fans.

Work to refurbish the gallery space at the Manx Museum to modern standards is nearing completion.