LOT 349
c.1949 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. 1323 Engine no. 48/7R 510
Sold for £20,700 inc. premium
Lot 349
c.1949 AJS 7R 350cc Racing MotorcycleRegistration no. not registered Frame no. 1323 Engine no. 48/7R 510
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
c.1949 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1323
Engine no. 48/7R 510
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1323
Engine no. 48/7R 510
• Immediately preceding ownership from 1973 to 2012
• Extensively campaigned and well maintained by the previous owner
• Unused since 2012
The factory records of AJS 7R production no longer exist so it is not possible to determine the original purchaser of this example, which is built around frame number '1323' dating from 1949. It is understood that the engine ('48/7R 510') is that of the 10th of 27 7Rs produced by the Plumstead factory's race department for the 1948 Isle of Man TT. Copies of letters received from Jock West, Sales Manager of Associated Motor Cycles at the time, confirm the date of manufacturer and the 1948 TT entry details. It is believed that '510' formed part of the machine supplied to Allan Jefferies Motorcycles of Shipley, Yorkshire, which had an entry for this event with Norman Croft as rider. Norman finished 25th in the Junior and 12th in the Senior riding the same machine. Sadly, he was killed in a practise crash in Czechoslovakia later in the year, which severely damaged the original frame. According to Jock West, the race department replaced two frames: one for Jim Kentish and the other – it is believed – for Allan Jefferies. According to a letter on file from previous owner Ashley James, he understands that the Blackpool dealership Whittakers purchased the 7R subsequently, followed by Mr David Job of Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire, who registered it in November 1967. Richard Coles of Stroud was its next owner, followed by dealers Luneguard of Stroud, in whose showroom it remained for several years, then Tony Rich from whom Ashley James bought it. The original old-style logbook records that the engine fitted at time of first registration in November 1967 was '51/7R 878', though by the time the immediately preceding owner purchased the AJS from Ashley James in 1973 it had been fitted with '48/7R 510'.
The AJS was completely rebuilt in 1992 by Norman White, the ex-Norton-Villiers and HRC Chief Mechanic (see separate 'Hours Run & Maintenance Sheets'). Total cost was £8,448 and all relevant receipts are available. From 2000 to 2006 the machine was used for parading at various events including the Coupes Moto Legende at Monthléry and Dijon in France and in Germany at the Nürburgring 'Kolner Kurz', Schotten Classic Grand Prix and Hockenhiem Classic Time Trial. It has also taken part in the VMCC's Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park. Norman White rebuilt the engine again, in February 2002 and January 2006, since when the machine has been ridden at the Festival of 1000 Bikes (2006) and Coupes Moto Legende (2007) - a total of 100 minutes on track. The current vendor purchased the AJS at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2012 (Lot 293), since when it has not been used.
The substantial history file contains engine number records, assorted photographs, original 1948 TT Programmes and entries etc, Technical Specification, Spare Parts and Maintenance Manuals, and copies of letters from AMC Sales Director Jock West, Jim Kentish, Geoff Murdoch and Les Dear.
• Extensively campaigned and well maintained by the previous owner
• Unused since 2012
The factory records of AJS 7R production no longer exist so it is not possible to determine the original purchaser of this example, which is built around frame number '1323' dating from 1949. It is understood that the engine ('48/7R 510') is that of the 10th of 27 7Rs produced by the Plumstead factory's race department for the 1948 Isle of Man TT. Copies of letters received from Jock West, Sales Manager of Associated Motor Cycles at the time, confirm the date of manufacturer and the 1948 TT entry details. It is believed that '510' formed part of the machine supplied to Allan Jefferies Motorcycles of Shipley, Yorkshire, which had an entry for this event with Norman Croft as rider. Norman finished 25th in the Junior and 12th in the Senior riding the same machine. Sadly, he was killed in a practise crash in Czechoslovakia later in the year, which severely damaged the original frame. According to Jock West, the race department replaced two frames: one for Jim Kentish and the other – it is believed – for Allan Jefferies. According to a letter on file from previous owner Ashley James, he understands that the Blackpool dealership Whittakers purchased the 7R subsequently, followed by Mr David Job of Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire, who registered it in November 1967. Richard Coles of Stroud was its next owner, followed by dealers Luneguard of Stroud, in whose showroom it remained for several years, then Tony Rich from whom Ashley James bought it. The original old-style logbook records that the engine fitted at time of first registration in November 1967 was '51/7R 878', though by the time the immediately preceding owner purchased the AJS from Ashley James in 1973 it had been fitted with '48/7R 510'.
The AJS was completely rebuilt in 1992 by Norman White, the ex-Norton-Villiers and HRC Chief Mechanic (see separate 'Hours Run & Maintenance Sheets'). Total cost was £8,448 and all relevant receipts are available. From 2000 to 2006 the machine was used for parading at various events including the Coupes Moto Legende at Monthléry and Dijon in France and in Germany at the Nürburgring 'Kolner Kurz', Schotten Classic Grand Prix and Hockenhiem Classic Time Trial. It has also taken part in the VMCC's Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park. Norman White rebuilt the engine again, in February 2002 and January 2006, since when the machine has been ridden at the Festival of 1000 Bikes (2006) and Coupes Moto Legende (2007) - a total of 100 minutes on track. The current vendor purchased the AJS at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2012 (Lot 293), since when it has not been used.
The substantial history file contains engine number records, assorted photographs, original 1948 TT Programmes and entries etc, Technical Specification, Spare Parts and Maintenance Manuals, and copies of letters from AMC Sales Director Jock West, Jim Kentish, Geoff Murdoch and Les Dear.
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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- 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
