LOT 310
Ex-works; Hugh Viney; 1947 Scottish Six Days Trial-winning 1946 AJS 348cc 16MC Trials Registration no. HXF 641 Frame no. 582/C Engine no. 47/16MC 489
Sold for £16,100 inc. premium
Lot 310
Ex-works; Hugh Viney; 1947 Scottish Six Days Trial-winning, 1946 AJS 348cc 16MC TrialsRegistration no. HXF 641 Frame no. 582/C Engine no. 47/16MC 489
Ex-works; Hugh Viney; 1947 Scottish Six Days Trial-winning
1946 AJS 348cc 16MC Trials
Registration no. HXF 641
Frame no. 582/C
Engine no. 47/16MC 489
1946 AJS 348cc 16MC Trials
Registration no. HXF 641
Frame no. 582/C
Engine no. 47/16MC 489
• Believed to have also won the SSDT in 1948 and '49
• Widely featured in the motorcycling press
• Original logbook signed by Matchless founder Charlie Collier
• Bought from Michael Viney (son of Hugh) in 1992
Using models based on the wartime Matchless G3 military machine, AMC dominated the UK trials scene in the immediate post-WW2 years. Stars such as Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson riding for AJS and Artie Ratcliffe and Ted Usher for Matchless won countless national events, while clubmen everywhere favoured the Plumstead marques' products more than those of any of their rivals. Important steps in the evolution of AMC's trials models included revised steering geometry, alloy cylinder barrel and 'head, and a lightweight all-welded frame. Introduced for the 1954 season, the latter remained rigid at the rear despite evidence that a 'springer' worked better. In the event, AMC's first attempt at a sprung frame was not an outstanding success, but the much-revised chassis of 1958 worked much better and was further improved by a switch to shorter rear dampers in 1961. And although a 500cc model was not offered until the early 1950s, the works boys always favoured the milder and more easily managed 350, as did the vast majority of customers.
First registered to AMC in October 1946, this 350 AJS was ridden in period by one of the biggest trials stars of the day, Hugh Viney, who had left his job as a local government surveyor to join the London-based manufacturer. During the war, Sergeant Viney had been a riding instructor in the Royal Corps of Signals, honing his off-road skills in the Yorkshire Pennines and moors. By all accounts he was somewhat reserved, preferring to let his results do the talking. And what a sensation he would turn out to be, winning the arduous Scottish Six Says Trial (SSDT) on his debut in 1947 and going on to repeat that victory in 1948 and 1949, securing the first hat-trick in SSDT history. As well as his SSDT successes, Viney won Gold Medals at every International Six Days Trials between 1949 and 1954, cementing his status as one of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen.
It is certain that Viney rode 'HXF 641' to win the 1947 SSDT - it was pictured in Motor Cycling magazine (22nd May 1947 edition) as part of an article by Bob Holliday entitled 'Gentlemen – The Winners' - and it is believed that he used this same mount in 1948 and '49. The original logbook (issued 10th October 1946) records Associated Motor Cycles Ltd of Plumstead as first owner and is signed by one of the Matchless founders, Charlie Collier. The first change of ownership is dated April 1950 when the machine passed to one Rodney Bainbridge of Shrewsbury. Many years later, in 1990, Hugh's son Michael was able to purchase his father's old SSDT winner, which he sold to Bob Gardiner in 1992 (see correspondence and V5 copies on file). A few years later the ex-Viney AJS was featured in The Classic Motor Cycle (December 2001 edition) in an article written by Roy Poynting. A text copy of the article is available, and the history file also contains a wealth of material accumulated by Bob Gardiner in the course of his researches (perusal recommended). A wonderful opportunity to own one of the most historic trials machines in existence
• Widely featured in the motorcycling press
• Original logbook signed by Matchless founder Charlie Collier
• Bought from Michael Viney (son of Hugh) in 1992
Using models based on the wartime Matchless G3 military machine, AMC dominated the UK trials scene in the immediate post-WW2 years. Stars such as Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson riding for AJS and Artie Ratcliffe and Ted Usher for Matchless won countless national events, while clubmen everywhere favoured the Plumstead marques' products more than those of any of their rivals. Important steps in the evolution of AMC's trials models included revised steering geometry, alloy cylinder barrel and 'head, and a lightweight all-welded frame. Introduced for the 1954 season, the latter remained rigid at the rear despite evidence that a 'springer' worked better. In the event, AMC's first attempt at a sprung frame was not an outstanding success, but the much-revised chassis of 1958 worked much better and was further improved by a switch to shorter rear dampers in 1961. And although a 500cc model was not offered until the early 1950s, the works boys always favoured the milder and more easily managed 350, as did the vast majority of customers.
First registered to AMC in October 1946, this 350 AJS was ridden in period by one of the biggest trials stars of the day, Hugh Viney, who had left his job as a local government surveyor to join the London-based manufacturer. During the war, Sergeant Viney had been a riding instructor in the Royal Corps of Signals, honing his off-road skills in the Yorkshire Pennines and moors. By all accounts he was somewhat reserved, preferring to let his results do the talking. And what a sensation he would turn out to be, winning the arduous Scottish Six Says Trial (SSDT) on his debut in 1947 and going on to repeat that victory in 1948 and 1949, securing the first hat-trick in SSDT history. As well as his SSDT successes, Viney won Gold Medals at every International Six Days Trials between 1949 and 1954, cementing his status as one of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen.
It is certain that Viney rode 'HXF 641' to win the 1947 SSDT - it was pictured in Motor Cycling magazine (22nd May 1947 edition) as part of an article by Bob Holliday entitled 'Gentlemen – The Winners' - and it is believed that he used this same mount in 1948 and '49. The original logbook (issued 10th October 1946) records Associated Motor Cycles Ltd of Plumstead as first owner and is signed by one of the Matchless founders, Charlie Collier. The first change of ownership is dated April 1950 when the machine passed to one Rodney Bainbridge of Shrewsbury. Many years later, in 1990, Hugh's son Michael was able to purchase his father's old SSDT winner, which he sold to Bob Gardiner in 1992 (see correspondence and V5 copies on file). A few years later the ex-Viney AJS was featured in The Classic Motor Cycle (December 2001 edition) in an article written by Roy Poynting. A text copy of the article is available, and the history file also contains a wealth of material accumulated by Bob Gardiner in the course of his researches (perusal recommended). A wonderful opportunity to own one of the most historic trials machines in existence
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Mortons Archive - 1948 Colmore Cup
Mortons Archive - 1946 SSDT
Mortons Archive - 1946 SSDT
Mortons Archive - 1946 Southern Experts
Additional information
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