LOT 583

1936 Tommy Spann Special AJS 498cc Registration no. CVT 897 (see text) Frame no. 89996 Engine no. T.S.S. No.2

Sold for £23,000 inc. premium

Lot 583

1936 Tommy Spann Special AJS 498cc
Registration no. CVT 897 (see text) Frame no. 89996 Engine no. T.S.S. No.2

The Winter Sale - including The National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection - Bicester Heritage|12 December 2020, 10:00 GMT|Bicester, Bicester Heritage

1936 Tommy Spann Special AJS 498cc
Registration no. CVT 897 (see text)
Frame no. 89996
Engine no. T.S.S. No.2

According to its original old-style logbook, this machine was first registered on 7th April 1936 as a 'Tommy Spann Special AJS'. Tommy Spann raced throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s, enjoying spells as a works rider with Sunbeam and then AJS. His links with latter were not confined to the racetrack, as he married AJS boss George Stevens' daughter Millie in 1930. Arguably the highlight of a varied career was his 2nd place finish at the 1928 TT behind Graham Walker's Rudge while riding for AJS, while his best Isle of Man TT result was 4th place in the 1932 Lightweight event aboard a New Imperial. For a time at least he ran a motorcycle dealership in Didsbury, Manchester. The current vendors acquired this machine in 2016 when they bought a farm from the estate of the late Peter David Lishman, who had owned 'CVT 897' since February 1956. The Spann AJS was found in an outbuilding in a dismantled state and has since been loosely reassembled. The aforementioned logbook shows that the machine was first registered in Stoke-on-Trent and that Mr Lishman was the fifth owner. The machine appears to be based in part on a 498cc AJS 'Big Port', while the frame number (taken from the buff logbook) suggests it could be a racing H10 500cc frame with a manufacturing date of 1927. The front fork is from a works 1928 AJS. There is no registration document with this machine and prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its registration status prior to bidding. The machine is offered for restoration and sold strictly was viewed.

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.

Saleroom notices

The frame number is not visible. The engine number is TSS2. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 583: click here

Additional information

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