• The craftsmanship is some of the finest of any motorcycle factory
• Aesthetically simply wonderful
• Exceptionally rare, classic British JAP 90 bore-powered

The NUT was the brainchild of engineer Hugh Mason, who had had several machines built under other names before settling on NUT in 1912. Manufactured by Angus, Sanderson & Company, the NUT was a stylish sports machine, almost always V-twin powered and easily distinguishable by its cylindrical fuel tank retained by two-nickel-plated bands tucked into a lugged steel tube frame. Mason's victory aboard a JAP-engined NUT in the 1913 Isle of Man Junior TT (the marque's solitary TT win) led to increased demand and an expansion of production on a new site before WW1 intervened. The company underwent a succession of financial re-organizations and relocations in the 1920s, its range continuing to consist mainly of JAP V-twin powered machines of various sizes before NUT's own 698cc V-twin engine arrived in 1924. Sadly, NUT succumbed to the Depression of the early 1930s, closing, as stated, in 1933.

JAP – J.A. Prestwich of Tottenham, north London – was founded by John Alfred Prestwich in 1895 as a scientific instrument maker and became, initially, well-known for his cinematography cameras and projectors supplying S.Z de Ferranti among others. In 1902 he started making proprietary motorcycle engines. This lasted until 1939 with the breakout of WW2 during which the company made industrial gas engines and aircraft parts. The company unfortunately lasted only until 1951 when it was re-formed only to go under again in 1957 when its assets were bought by Villiers Engineering – yes, that Villers – to be closed finally in 1963. Villers -JAP became the speedway racing engine of choice until the 1970s when their heart went out of it and Eastern Europeans took it one. But what an amazing run. JAP supplied NUT. Then Brough Superior, Triumph, AJS, Enfield, HRD, Zenith and exported hard to the likes of Dresch and Terrot in France and Ardie, Hecker and Tornax in Germany. And then there were car and aircraft manufacturers calling at their door too. JAP produced mostly v-twins and singles and prior to WW2 there was seldom a race event at which a JAP wasn't barking loud.

Finished in the brown livery characteristic of the marque, this ultra-rare and desirable NUT racing motorcycle uses an OHV JAP 90 bore 1,000cc V-twin complete with Philipson variable speed governor pulley. The bike underwent a serious restoration in 2019 including the re-lacing of the wheels and fitting of new 26 x 2.5-inch tires. The engine's barrels and heads were re-nickel plated, inside are fresh pistons and valves. It starts easily and runs very well, the last time being November 2019.

History says that the NUT company was just unlucky but its product was top quality notwithstanding. This JAP-powered example is a serious, perhaps unique, 'teens' racer the likes of which are seldom ever available. Top quality deserving most careful scrutiny.