Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 1930 AJS 8.9hp Dickey Seat Tourer

Registration no. GK 6513 Frame no. A553 Engine no. none visible (see text)

• High quality Vintage-era light car
• Rare survivor
• An older restoration
• Matching numbers (see text)

Although best known as a maker of high quality motorcycles, A J Stevens & Co (AJS) also manufactured wireless sets, commercial vehicles, and motor cars at its Wolverhampton factories. The firm's first foray into motor manufacturing was as the supplier of coachwork (via its Hayward Motor Bodies subsidiary) for the locally produced Clyno Nine light car. When Clyno collapsed in February 1929, the Nine's designer A J Booth was recruited to design AJS's own light car, which was announced in December of that year. Laid out along lines similar to the defunct Clyno's, the AJS Nine employed a simple yet sturdy cross-braced chassis, which was suspended on friction-damped semi-elliptic springs. Supplied by Coventry Climax, the engine was a four-cylinder 1,018cc sidevalve that produced 24bhp and was rated at 8.92hp for taxation purposes. Power reached the rear wheels via a three-speed gearbox. Sales of the AJS Nine commenced in August 1930.

In his definitive history of the marque, AJS of Wolverhampton, Stephen Mills says this about the Nine: "On the road the little AJS more than measured up to expectations. Finger light steering inherited from the Clyno, combined with remarkable, low speed flexibility made it a delight to drive. Under favourable conditions the 'Nine' could be driven at mile-a-minute gait, while a maximum speed of 40mph in second gear ensured brisk hill climbing ability. With powerful brakes, capable of stopping the car in 38 feet from 30mph and a fuel consumption of 38mpg, the car won much praise from the motoring press."

Despite its manifest virtues the AJS Nine was too expensive; production ceased when the company went into liquidation in October 1931, by which time AJS had switched to making its own copy of the Climax engine. Some 3,000 cars had been produced but it was not quite the end of the Nine's story, the rights being acquired by Willys-Overland-Crossley, which continued production in Stockport for another year or so.

Purchased 'as is' by the Museum, 'GK 6513' was first registered on 31st December 1930, the last day of the 'Vintage' era, and is believed to have covered only 5 miles since restoration. The manufacturer's VIN plate records the chassis/engine number as 'A553', while below that plate is another bearing the legend: 'The Light Car & Cyclecar Restoration Co, Birmingham No. 317'. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style continuation logbook and a V5C document. The car's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.