LOT 254
1911 Rudge 499cc TT Model Registration no. BL 1370 Frame no. 639078 Engine no. 2002 (matching crankcase halves)
Sold for £9,775 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 254
1911 Rudge 499cc TT ModelRegistration no. BL 1370 Frame no. 639078 Engine no. 2002 (matching crankcase halves)
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|19 October 2019, 14:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1911 Rudge 499cc TT Model
Registration no. BL 1370
Frame no. 639078
Engine no. 2002 (matching crankcase halves)
Registration no. BL 1370
Frame no. 639078
Engine no. 2002 (matching crankcase halves)
• Rudge's first sports model
• Direct belt drive
• Present ownership since at least 1984
"The success of C S Burney and V J Surridge at Brooklands in January had already encouraged thoughts on the production of a sports model. The first two TT models were produced on 1 March 1911, even though no Rudge had ever entered for this event! The machines were stripped down versions of the normal production models, without pedals and with smaller rear belt rims, to give a slightly higher gearing." – Bryan Reynolds, 'Don't Trudge It Rudge It'.
Rudge-Whitworth built its first motorcycle in 1910 but unlike many of its contemporaries used an engine of its own design: a 499cc single with inlet-over-exhaust valve gear. The new 3½hp model proved outstandingly successful; in 1911 Victor Surridge's became the first 500cc machine to exceed 60 miles in one hour while in 1914 Rudge-mounted Cyril Pullin won the Isle of Man Senior TT for the Coventry manufacturer. Prior to this landmark achievement, Rudge had jumped the gun somewhat with the introduction of a TT sports model in the spring of 1911, before any of its machines had competed in the Isle of Man!
Rudge continued to set world records at Brooklands, establishing new one-hour and two-hour marks in 1912 at more than 65 miles and 122 miles respectively. The firm also figured prominently in the popular reliability trials of the day, thereby demonstrating that its products were durable as well as fast.
An older restoration, this rare Rudge TT Model pre-dates the Coventry firm's famous Multi gear and has direct belt drive. The machine comes with an old-style continuation logbook (1968) and an old V5 document, the latter recording no changes of keeper since April 1984. It should be noted that the date of first registration is recorded as 19th February 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each (many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing).
• Direct belt drive
• Present ownership since at least 1984
"The success of C S Burney and V J Surridge at Brooklands in January had already encouraged thoughts on the production of a sports model. The first two TT models were produced on 1 March 1911, even though no Rudge had ever entered for this event! The machines were stripped down versions of the normal production models, without pedals and with smaller rear belt rims, to give a slightly higher gearing." – Bryan Reynolds, 'Don't Trudge It Rudge It'.
Rudge-Whitworth built its first motorcycle in 1910 but unlike many of its contemporaries used an engine of its own design: a 499cc single with inlet-over-exhaust valve gear. The new 3½hp model proved outstandingly successful; in 1911 Victor Surridge's became the first 500cc machine to exceed 60 miles in one hour while in 1914 Rudge-mounted Cyril Pullin won the Isle of Man Senior TT for the Coventry manufacturer. Prior to this landmark achievement, Rudge had jumped the gun somewhat with the introduction of a TT sports model in the spring of 1911, before any of its machines had competed in the Isle of Man!
Rudge continued to set world records at Brooklands, establishing new one-hour and two-hour marks in 1912 at more than 65 miles and 122 miles respectively. The firm also figured prominently in the popular reliability trials of the day, thereby demonstrating that its products were durable as well as fast.
An older restoration, this rare Rudge TT Model pre-dates the Coventry firm's famous Multi gear and has direct belt drive. The machine comes with an old-style continuation logbook (1968) and an old V5 document, the latter recording no changes of keeper since April 1984. It should be noted that the date of first registration is recorded as 19th February 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each (many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing).
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.
Saleroom notices
We are advised that this is a 1912 model.
Additional information
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