Byron was born in Athens 1950. He studied Economics and History of Art (B.A.) at Lake Forest College, Illinois, U.S.A. During his Hellenic Navy service, was an Ensign (S) reserve officer and held the post of Liaison Officer between the H.N. and the United States Navy at the Joint United States Military Aid Group/Greece-JUSMAG/G post.
His professional career began in 1975 with the position of Assistant General Manager of Hellenic Industrial Ltd., while until Oct 2099 was the President & CEO of Datalex S.A. (a company specializing in Auto Id Information Technology Systems and Industrial Automation). After his company was sold, he devotes most of his time and involvement in his hobby of old cars, serving as a member in the Board of Directors of PHILPA (The Antique Car Club of Greece) and FILPA Federation. Recently he also established the Classic Car Center of Greece-www.3cg.gr.
Another interest since early on is diving. Byron started diving in 1979 when he was also certified by the acknowledged German Diving Association, Barakuda. He was also a member of Peter Nicolaides’ team that organized dives to the historic wreck of “S/S PATRIS” a paddle wheeler steamship, which sank in 1868 out of the west coast of Kea island. Byron served as Vice-President of the Nautical Athletic Club of Kea (NAOK), was a member of the Kea Dive Expedition 2008, & the S/S Burdigala Project 2009, and member of the Club of Amateur Divers TETHYS.
Aside from classic cars and motorcycles, other interests include anything about the sea (old & new boats, sailing and water skiing, shipwreck diving etc.), photography (land and under water), philosophy, reading and traveling.
In the social domain I am interested in volunteerism related to environmental and cultural preservation actions, Blogging, social networking and net forums. I am present in Facebook at: www.facebook.com/riginos and at twitter.com/BRiginos.
Member of The Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Environment and the Cultural Heritage www.ellet.gr, The Friends of Kea Society www.sfk.gr (member of the Board of Directors since Jan 2010 and President since March 2014), and The Antique Car Club of Greece www.philpa.gr (member of the Board of Directors from Feb. 2011 to Feb. 2014), also member of the Board of the Hellenic Federation of Antique Cars & Motorcycles of Greece-FILPA Federation, from June 2013 to June 2015. Member of the NGO “DIAZOMA” which seeks to take Greek ancient theaters, these birthplaces of democratic principles and cultural and intellectual creativity, under its wing. Fan and member of TED.com a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Recently TED events are being organized in Athens under the name TEDx Athens. He also has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the consulting company European Profiles S.A.
In May of 2018 he becomes Member of the Owners of Sport Cars Club of Greece-Σ.Ι.Σ.Α. and is appointed as Publicity Officer of the Club. He adopts the Dream of Re-Starting the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique-RMCH for 2019 from Athens after 44 years!
During 2016 he heads as President a Team of friends who organized a successful commemorative Centennial conference [held during Sept. 29th to Oct 1st 2016 in Kea Island, Cyclades, Greece] about the sinking of S/S BURDIGALA & HMHS BRITANNIC [in English]. Visit the Blog here: 100 Years Kea Shipwrecks.org
I have quite a bit of stories as to how I purchased, repaired, rode from London to Athens, then shipped the bike to the US, reconditioned and sold it for a small profit.
Hi, I bought GPH662C in, I think, 1969 (it is/was a 1965 T120) from a dealer in South London (probably Brixton somewhere as there were a lot of dealers there at the time) for about £220 – it was very original and low mileage -about 6K. I fitted the front brake cooling rings which were all the rage at the time, crash bars,higher rise handlebars and an oil pressure guage (which I took off and still have!). I also resprayed the petrol tank top half (blue) in a shade of blue very close to the original. I was also given some Craven panniers so I drove the bike to the Craven works in London and they fitted the back rack and the fittings for the panniers. It had 2 small prangs when I had it and gained a later rippled seat. I used it for holidays in the UK and commuting to work/pleasure and sold it in, I think 1971/2 – I don’t remember exactly when but I do remember that the 2 guys bought it who turned up in a car and bought it basically unseen – one said ‘I’ll buy it’ when they drove past it as I was standing next to it in the road (Barnet, north London). It was an unmolested standard bike pretty well. I have quite a good picture of GPH662C just before it was sold – I do not have a record of the frame/engine number (apart from remembering is was DUxxxxx but it may well have survived in the US – Colin
Internet never ceases to amaze me. What a nice present you had in store for me Colin. In case u can dig up some pictures do send them.
hello Byron, I am thinking of buying an as yet unseen VW CAMPERVAN which is in Athens Greece. I would like to take this vehicle to a specialist VW workshop for a thorough inspection ,both mechanical , body and the campervan fitout. I would appreciate your help in locating the right one. Best regards , george toskas .
Hi George, for an overall inspection you may go to Cabilis Performance (Stavros area) or to Chris Economou (Katehaki Area).