1. Burt Munro set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and later set seven more.
12 Facts About Burt Munro
1. 2.
Burt Munro travelled to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats, attempting to set world speed records.
3.
Burt Munro was born in 1899 to William Burt Munro, a farmer and Lily Agnes Robinson in Invercargill.
4.
Burt Munro remained on the family farm until the end of the First World War, when his father sold the farm.
5.
At that time, Burt Munro worked on the Otira Tunnel construction until recalled to work with his father on a newly purchased farm.
6.
Burt Munro's Indian Scout was an early model, the 627th Scout to leave the American factory.
7.
Burt Munro would cast parts in old tins, make his own barrels, pistons, flywheels, and such; his micrometer was an old spoke.
8.
Burt Munro travelled to Bonneville fourteen times, the first 3 times for "sightseeing" purposes.
9.
Burt Munro died of natural causes on 6 January 1978, aged 78 years.
10.
Burt Munro is buried at Invercargill's Eastern Cemetery, with his parents and brother.
11.
Burt Munro was the subject of a 2005 film, The World's Fastest Indian, based on a composite of his Bonneville speed runs.
12.
Burt Munro said the Spirit of Munro Scout was a tribute to Munro's achievements with the Indian Scout and to all Indians of old.