Property of a deceased's estate, 1917 New Imperial 8hp

Registration no. OI 6384 Frame no. A7355 Engine no. 8/67337/A

• Substantially original and un-restored
• Acquired by the late owner in 1974
• Engine rebuilt in 1984
• Offered for re-commissioning

After an abortive experiment in 1901, New Imperial recommenced motorcycle production in 1910 with a 293cc, sidevalve, JAP-engined model equipped with two-speed countershaft gearbox. Thanks to its willing engine and versatile transmission, the Model I - or Light Tourist - was an immense success for the Birmingham firm and remained in production well into the 1920s, by which time it had been joined in the range by an equally popular JAP-engined v-twin - initially of 6hp but latterly of 8hp - intended mainly for sidecar pulling duties. The New Imperial twin had been conceived as a sidecar outfit in 1916 to War Office order for shipment to Britain's Russian allies, only for the 1917 Communist Revolution to scupper the plan. A large machine even by the standards of its day, the imposing New Imp combination owed its generous proportions to contractual specifications that called for a minimum ground clearance of 6", with other dimensions scaled up accordingly. Its military origins notwithstanding, the twin remained in production after WWI (as the Model 7 from 1922) and was last catalogued in 1925.

Almost certainly built as one of the military sidecar outfits (the crankcase is stamped 'WAR PRODUCT'), this solo example was acquired in March 1974 by the late owner, a time-served mechanical engineer and enthusiastic member of the VMCC's Oxford section. The machine had been advertised in Exchange & Mart and came with its present Irish registration number, 'OI 6384' (sales receipt on file). Original and unmolested when purchased, the New Imp was soon got running and over the years has been maintained and repaired as and when necessary, including a complete overhaul of the engine in 1984. It has never been restored and remains in remarkably original condition.

'OI 6384' was used regularly but sparingly until 2001, typically participating in six or eight rallies annually and never once letting its rider down. The New Imp was then laid up for some 11 years before being re-commissioned in 2012. That same year the late owner wrote a history of the machine (on file) and it has also been featured in Classic Bike magazine (November 1983 edition, copy available). The comprehensive history file also contains copious correspondence, copies of marque-related literature, technical notes and diagrams, handbook (reproduction), a copy of The JAP Book, JAP engine parts lists (x2), sundry bills (dating back to 1974), SORN paperwork, and a current V5C Registration Certificate.