LOT 426
Believed works machine formerly the property of Bob McIntyre 1951 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. 51/3 (see text) Engine no. 51/7R/895
Sold for £36,800 inc. premium
Lot 426
Believed works machine formerly the property of Bob McIntyre, 1951 AJS 7R 350cc Racing MotorcycleRegistration no. not registered Frame no. 51/3 (see text) Engine no. 51/7R/895
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
Believed works machine formerly the property of Bob McIntyre
1951 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 51/3 (see text)
Engine no. 51/7R/895
1951 AJS 7R 350cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 51/3 (see text)
Engine no. 51/7R/895
• Known ownership history
• Present ownership since 1968
• Well documented
During the 1948 to 1950 period, the AJS factory team used production 7Rs with some modifications. For 1951 a completely redesigned 7R with a slimmed down frame and much-modified engine was supplied to works riders Bill Doran, Reg Armstrong, and Mick Featherstone. Engine changes included a narrower crankshaft and crankcase and a new roller rocker cam box, while a new Amal GP carburettor was specified. Three complete machines and two spare engines were made. Standard production 7Rs for the 1951 and 1952 seasons remained largely as the 1950 models.
In 1952, when the factory team was supplied with new three-valve models, the 1951 works machines were lent to Harold Clark, Bob McIntyre, and Derek Farrant for the 1952 Manx Grand Prix. Fitted with special works long-distance fuel tanks, they took the first three places with non-stop runs. Entered by Cooper Brothers of Troon, McIntyre won after a race-long battle, beating the unfortunate Clark whose bike suffered a slipping clutch on the last lap. After the MGP McIntyre's machine was returned to AJS. According to former AJS works rider Rod Coleman, one of the 1951 works 7Rs was sold to the AJS importer in Argentina late in 1952, which left two still at the factory.
In 1953, with the works team now using the new three-valve model, Cooper Brothers of Troon again secured a works two-valve 7R for Bob McIntyre to ride in the 1953 North West 200, which he won. Shortly thereafter Bob signed for the AJS team together with Derek Farrant. While employed by the AJS racing department, Bob modified one of the two remaining 1951 works machines using the '51 works frame, engine and gearbox, while updating it with the later rear brake, rev counter and seat. It is that machine that is believed to be offered here (the other was given to Rod Coleman). The frame number '51/3' is stamped on a plaque fixed to the frame by the vendor, the application of a plaque rather than a direct stamping being the practice in period.
At the end of the 1954 season, Bob left AJS to ride Nortons for Joe Potts, the well-known Scottish sponsor and tuner/entrant, but was allowed to keep this 7R. On returning to the Potts team after his successful 1957 season with Gilera, Bob sold the 7R to fellow Scot Willie Rae, who collected the machine from the Potts workshop in Bellshill near Glasgow. During his 50-plus years of ownership of this 7R, the vendor has traced all previous owners, there being four between him and Willie Rae: Jimmie Buchanan (1959-1961), George Paterson (1961-1962), Bob Steele (1963-1964), and Alex Keith (1965-1967). A substantial file of documentation is available (close inspection recommended). The latter includes a letter from Rae to the vendor explaining how Bob McIntyre came to build this AJS, which, apparently, he never raced. Rae goes on to say that he purchased the machine from McIntyre in August 1958 and rode it at Scottish and Irish meetings and also at Oulton Park, Aintree, Thruxton, Silverstone, and Castle Combe during that season. He also competed on the machine at the 1959 Manx Grand Prix and before selling it to Jimmie Buchanan.
This historic machine has been paraded every year between 2010 and 2018, including outings at the Bob McIntyre Memorial Races at East Fortune, Scotland and also at the VMCC's Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park, Mallory Park Bike Bonanza, and Donington Park Classic Festival. Accompanying the machine is a spare short circuit fuel tank together with a cylinder head and other sundry spares.
• Present ownership since 1968
• Well documented
During the 1948 to 1950 period, the AJS factory team used production 7Rs with some modifications. For 1951 a completely redesigned 7R with a slimmed down frame and much-modified engine was supplied to works riders Bill Doran, Reg Armstrong, and Mick Featherstone. Engine changes included a narrower crankshaft and crankcase and a new roller rocker cam box, while a new Amal GP carburettor was specified. Three complete machines and two spare engines were made. Standard production 7Rs for the 1951 and 1952 seasons remained largely as the 1950 models.
In 1952, when the factory team was supplied with new three-valve models, the 1951 works machines were lent to Harold Clark, Bob McIntyre, and Derek Farrant for the 1952 Manx Grand Prix. Fitted with special works long-distance fuel tanks, they took the first three places with non-stop runs. Entered by Cooper Brothers of Troon, McIntyre won after a race-long battle, beating the unfortunate Clark whose bike suffered a slipping clutch on the last lap. After the MGP McIntyre's machine was returned to AJS. According to former AJS works rider Rod Coleman, one of the 1951 works 7Rs was sold to the AJS importer in Argentina late in 1952, which left two still at the factory.
In 1953, with the works team now using the new three-valve model, Cooper Brothers of Troon again secured a works two-valve 7R for Bob McIntyre to ride in the 1953 North West 200, which he won. Shortly thereafter Bob signed for the AJS team together with Derek Farrant. While employed by the AJS racing department, Bob modified one of the two remaining 1951 works machines using the '51 works frame, engine and gearbox, while updating it with the later rear brake, rev counter and seat. It is that machine that is believed to be offered here (the other was given to Rod Coleman). The frame number '51/3' is stamped on a plaque fixed to the frame by the vendor, the application of a plaque rather than a direct stamping being the practice in period.
At the end of the 1954 season, Bob left AJS to ride Nortons for Joe Potts, the well-known Scottish sponsor and tuner/entrant, but was allowed to keep this 7R. On returning to the Potts team after his successful 1957 season with Gilera, Bob sold the 7R to fellow Scot Willie Rae, who collected the machine from the Potts workshop in Bellshill near Glasgow. During his 50-plus years of ownership of this 7R, the vendor has traced all previous owners, there being four between him and Willie Rae: Jimmie Buchanan (1959-1961), George Paterson (1961-1962), Bob Steele (1963-1964), and Alex Keith (1965-1967). A substantial file of documentation is available (close inspection recommended). The latter includes a letter from Rae to the vendor explaining how Bob McIntyre came to build this AJS, which, apparently, he never raced. Rae goes on to say that he purchased the machine from McIntyre in August 1958 and rode it at Scottish and Irish meetings and also at Oulton Park, Aintree, Thruxton, Silverstone, and Castle Combe during that season. He also competed on the machine at the 1959 Manx Grand Prix and before selling it to Jimmie Buchanan.
This historic machine has been paraded every year between 2010 and 2018, including outings at the Bob McIntyre Memorial Races at East Fortune, Scotland and also at the VMCC's Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park, Mallory Park Bike Bonanza, and Donington Park Classic Festival. Accompanying the machine is a spare short circuit fuel tank together with a cylinder head and other sundry spares.
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
