LOT 555
1966 Velocette 499cc Venom Thruxton Registration no. EUG 12D Frame no. RS 18824 Engine no. VMT 336
Sold for £19,550 inc. premium
Lot 555
1966 Velocette 499cc Venom ThruxtonRegistration no. EUG 12D Frame no. RS 18824 Engine no. VMT 336
1966 Velocette 499cc Venom Thruxton
Registration no. EUG 12D
Frame no. RS 18824
Engine no. VMT 336
Registration no. EUG 12D
Frame no. RS 18824
Engine no. VMT 336
• Rare and exclusive factory Café Racer
• One of only some 1,100 built
• Matching numbers (frame, engine, gearbox, registration)
• Restored in 2015
'Prestige machine of the pushrod range was the Venom Thruxton 500. It incorporated all the accumulated experience gained in the years the Venom Clubman has been raced in long-distance events, plus the development of the 12 and 24-hour record breaker.' – C E A 'Titch' Allen, The Velocette Saga.
Production race successes, notably in the Thruxton 500 Mile event prompted Veloce Ltd to adopt that name for their newly introduced top-of-the-range sports roadster in 1964. Based on the existing Venom, the Thruxton featured a tuned engine with revised big-valve cylinder head, Amal GP carburettor, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests and a twin-leading-shoe front brake as standard equipment. Although the Thruxton took its name from the eponymous Hampshire racing circuit, arguably its finest hour came in 1967 when Manxman Neil Kelly won the '500' class in the Isle of Man TT's Production race, newly introduced for that year. Kelly was entered by Velocette agent Reg Orpin while his chief rival Keith Heckles was on Geoff Dodkin's Thruxton. At the 'Le Mans'-style start, Heckles' bike and Kelly's proved reluctant starters, but both made up time and eventually got to the front of the 500cc field. At the flag Kelly won at 89.89mph with Heckles 2nd at 89.15mph. Kelly took 3rd place overall behind winner John Hartle (Triumph Bonneville) and Paul Smart (Dunstall Dominator).
Although much admired by the Café Racing fraternity, the Thruxton's necessarily high price limited its appeal to a select handful of wealthy connoisseurs. It is thought that as few as 1,100 were made by the factory (with a further 55-60 assembled from parts by main dealers) and today the Thruxton is one of the most sought after of post-war Velocettes.
Forming part of its owner's private collection, this beautiful Thruxton has not been used since its restoration in 2015. The machine was despatched from the factory on 1st April 1966 to Velocette dealer L Stevens of Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, West London, and was originally finished in blue and silver. It retains its original frame, engine, gearbox, and registration number, as confirmed by the accompanying Velocette Thruxton Machine Register certificate. Additional documentation consists of an expired MoT certificate (2015-2016) and a V5C Registration Certificate.
• One of only some 1,100 built
• Matching numbers (frame, engine, gearbox, registration)
• Restored in 2015
'Prestige machine of the pushrod range was the Venom Thruxton 500. It incorporated all the accumulated experience gained in the years the Venom Clubman has been raced in long-distance events, plus the development of the 12 and 24-hour record breaker.' – C E A 'Titch' Allen, The Velocette Saga.
Production race successes, notably in the Thruxton 500 Mile event prompted Veloce Ltd to adopt that name for their newly introduced top-of-the-range sports roadster in 1964. Based on the existing Venom, the Thruxton featured a tuned engine with revised big-valve cylinder head, Amal GP carburettor, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests and a twin-leading-shoe front brake as standard equipment. Although the Thruxton took its name from the eponymous Hampshire racing circuit, arguably its finest hour came in 1967 when Manxman Neil Kelly won the '500' class in the Isle of Man TT's Production race, newly introduced for that year. Kelly was entered by Velocette agent Reg Orpin while his chief rival Keith Heckles was on Geoff Dodkin's Thruxton. At the 'Le Mans'-style start, Heckles' bike and Kelly's proved reluctant starters, but both made up time and eventually got to the front of the 500cc field. At the flag Kelly won at 89.89mph with Heckles 2nd at 89.15mph. Kelly took 3rd place overall behind winner John Hartle (Triumph Bonneville) and Paul Smart (Dunstall Dominator).
Although much admired by the Café Racing fraternity, the Thruxton's necessarily high price limited its appeal to a select handful of wealthy connoisseurs. It is thought that as few as 1,100 were made by the factory (with a further 55-60 assembled from parts by main dealers) and today the Thruxton is one of the most sought after of post-war Velocettes.
Forming part of its owner's private collection, this beautiful Thruxton has not been used since its restoration in 2015. The machine was despatched from the factory on 1st April 1966 to Velocette dealer L Stevens of Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, West London, and was originally finished in blue and silver. It retains its original frame, engine, gearbox, and registration number, as confirmed by the accompanying Velocette Thruxton Machine Register certificate. Additional documentation consists of an expired MoT certificate (2015-2016) and a V5C Registration Certificate.
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.
Additional information
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