LOT 704

Offered from the Collection of the Late Peter McManus c.1920 ABC 398cc Registration no. XC 9176 Frame no. 1337 Engine no. 1320

Sold for £8,625 inc. premium

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Lot 704

Offered from the Collection of the Late Peter McManus, c.1920 ABC 398cc
Registration no. XC 9176 Frame no. 1337 Engine no. 1320

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

Offered from the Collection of the Late Peter McManus
c.1920 ABC 398cc
Registration no. XC 9176
Frame no. 1337
Engine no. 1320

Designed by Granville Bradshaw and produced by the Sopwith Aircraft Company, the ABC drew heavily on its designer's wartime experience in the development of air-cooled aero engines. A groundbreaking design, the ABC engine was a 398cc overhead-valve flat twin with integral four-speed gearbox. Legend has it that the power unit was designed in under three weeks, but Bradshaw did not stop there, going on to pen the duplex loop frame and sprung front and rear forks that marked out the ABC as one of the most advanced motorcycles of its day. It was fast too, J L E Emerson breaking the one-hour record twice at Brooklands, the second time at an average speed of 70.44mph, a feat that necessitated exceeding 80mph on occasions. Despite these successes, this promising design was hamstrung by production difficulties and price increases, just 3,000-or-so being made up to 1921 when the Sopwith factory ceased manufacture, though production of a modified version was continued by Gnome & Rhone in France.

An older restoration, this ABC is presented in 'barn find' condition, ripe for sympathetic renovation. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding. Accompanying paperwork consists of an HPI printout and a V5C document.

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 1637. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 704: click here

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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