Silver Dream Racer

A prologue opens looking over a quarry where two friends race their off-road motorbikes. Paul Saunders recalls filming taking place as he was there at the time . . . "at the quarries in Thurrock, Essex which is an area now known as Chafford Hundred. This was where we rode our bikes."

The two head towards a climb where Greg Freeman is killed. Thurrock in Essex identified by Paul Saunders, who continues "The chalk pit was known as the Murco pit due to the oil storage depot a few hundred yards away." The area is now a site of Special Scientific Interest, part of Chafford Gorges Nature Park, and, at the start of the sequence, in the distance can be seen Bevan House, Keir Hardie House and Morrison House which are tower blocks on the Blackshots estate.

Spectators cheer at a race in which Nick Freeman and American Bruce McBride vie for the lead. Mathew D advises that this is Donington Park near Castle Donington in Leicestershire.

Richard Winchester spent a hot day at Donington Park circuit and took the opportunity to take a few comparison shots.

Cider Jones (Clarke Peters) records Freeman's lap times. Donington Park again identified by Mat.

The same buildings captured by Richard Winchester.

Bruce McBride (Beau Bridges) and Nick Freeman (David Essex) exchange words after the American's victory. Donington Park once more, located by Mathew D.

Richard Winchester shows us what the location looks like now.

Cider drives Nick home where he learns from his partner Carol that his brother has been killed.

A rather more cluttered Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1. (RL)

McBride explains to Al Peterson (Ed Bishop) that he can race in Holland and be back to race in Britain.

At work, Nick moves his bike on the order of Wiggins (Harry H. Corbett) the foreman.

When Nick gives his Sister-in-law a lift home she asks him to take a look at his brother's bikes. Identified by Geoff Dodd as St. Hubert’s Close near Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, who adds that house is seen in a 2 second shot in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' from 2014, when it was supposed to be Michigan. (RL)

The location now by Antony Blair.

Greg's funeral takes place. Brookwood Military Cemetery, Long Avenue in Brookwood, Surrey located by Steve Randall.

Nice framing here by John Harwood. (SJ)

At the wake after the service, Nick steps outside for a cigarette before Tina persuades him to take Greg's 'Silver Dream' racer. Remaining in St. Huberts Close, Geoff says that the house that David Essex visits is 'Manitou' at number 77 which has recently undergone some refurbishment. (RL)

Antony Blair replaces Geoff's Google capture in which the refurbishment can be seen.

Cider crosses the track as Nick takes his brother's machine around the circuit. Richard Winchester recognised the Brands Hatch Circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent.

A very good time for the lap! Brands Hatch in Kent identified by Richard Winchester.

On the way to Bruce's hotel, Julie Prince (Christina Raines) gives Nick a ride home. 'AJ' tells us that this is the BP petrol station Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 looking eastwards. (RL)

Bruce watches Julie leave the hotel after an argument.

Elsewhere in town, Nick steps outside the Sapphire Club. This appears very much like a studio set and Lee Kemp confirms that this is a sound stage at Pinewood Studios after corresponding with Director David Dickes.

Nick performs a wheelie as he rides around, causing mayhem outside the club. Maybe that's why this is a set.

After leaving his job and becoming romantically involved with Julie, Nick looks for backing to finance the development of the revolutionary bike. Jonathan G places this as London Wall facing the junction with Moorgate EC2 in the background. Paul Allen adds that a lot of new development has taken place since 1979, but all the way down towards Moorgate it's possible to see two buildings that still remain.

Taken from the highwalk looking east towards Moorgate but there is yet more construction to the right and I could not discern much to match. SJ

The search for finance continues. And Joe Brown's search for the location ended with finding the P & O Building at 122 Leadenhall Street to the left. The building was demolished in 2008 to be replaced by the Leadenhall Building, nicknamed the "Cheese Grater".

Joe returned to the location.

The couple continue their quest. Joe Brown identifies this as 55 Old Broad Street in EC2, and checking windows in the left background . . . he's spot on.

The building now captured by Joe.

A deal is struck with an investor who is also a motorbike enthusiast. 55 Old Broad Street located by Joe Brown.

Joe found a redesigned entrance.

When the finances don't add up, Nick goes in search of his father at work. The Trav-O-lator™ at Bank Underground station on Cornhill, London EC3. The location also seen in 'The Mackintosh Man', 'Fragment of Fear', 'Otley' and 'Tube Tales'.

A bright comparison by Peter.

Jack Freeman (Lee Montague) comes into view on a powered railway trolley. This is platform 7 on the Waterloo & City Line at Bank station in EC3. The platform also appears in 'On the Beat'.

A few additions in Peter's shot, raised platform and real London Underground roundels - the route was operated by British Rail at the time of filming.

Nick leaves after learning why his Dad gave up boxing. Looking towards the Trav-O-lator™ end of platform 7 at Bank station.

Peter took this shot on the same platform.

After Julie sells her car to pay for further development, she and Nick head north. The Humber Bridge spanning the River Humber between Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Lacking a helicopter, here's my best angle on foot. SJ

At 2,220 metres, the Humber Bridge was once the longest of its type in the world.

The bridge looking north. SJ

The pair arrive at a remote airfield. Bovingdon Airfield, Chesham Road, Bovingdon in Hertfordshire. Also seen in 'Hanover Street', 'The Liquidator' and '633 Squadron'. Phil Milsom directs us to the Website https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/military-sites/6303-bovingdon-airfield-control-tower.html#.VTkK4Wx0yP8 for more information and the sad decline with the passage of time. (RL)

Nick prepares himself, and the bike, for the big race. Bovingdon Airfield to the west of Watford in Hertfordshire. The former RAF Bovingdon closed in 1972 and the Control Tower was demolished in 2010.

At Silverstone, Nick rides the 'Silver Dream' against the world's number 4, Bruce McBride.

Richard Winchester provides this view of the same corner.

Cider and Julie check lap times in the pits as the race continues.

The chequered flag is raised . . . . . .

There was no chequered flag awaiting us here or anywhere else. (RL)