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LOT 671

c.1950 Villiers-engined Project Registration no. not registered (see text) Frame no. 41192509 Engine no. S.1.R 367A 8822

Sold for £552 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 671

c.1950 Villiers-engined Project
Registration no. not registered (see text) Frame no. 41192509 Engine no. S.1.R 367A 8822

c.1950 Villiers-engined Project
Registration no. not registered (see text)
Frame no. 41192509
Engine no. S.1.R 367A 8822

In the pioneer and veteran eras of motorcycling, it was a common enough practice for manufacturers to buy-in proprietary engines such as De Dion, Minerva, and J.A.P. to incorporate in their machines. The evolution of proprietary engines saw some come and go as they waxed and waned in popularity or moved into larger versions for car production. The practice continued throughout the history of vehicle production, even to this day, with current car makers sharing engines, and even 'platforms' for cars. One such company playing a larger part than most in the history of motorcycle manufacturing was Villiers, who began by making cycle parts in their factory in Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, hence the name. Developing a two-stroke engine in 1913, Villiers became the engine of choice for a large number of British (and overseas) makers to incorporate in lightweight models in their ranges. Capacities ranged from 98cc to 360cc, in single and twin-cylinder configurations, with the most commonly used capacities being 98, 122, 150, 197, and 250. Taking over J.A.P. in 1957, Villiers eventually was subsumed by Manganese Bronze Holdings, then became part of Norton Villiers, later transformed to Norton Villiers Triumph before the group was liquidated in 1978. The machine is part of a deceased estate and has been stored in adverse conditions. It is thought possibly to be an Ambassador, with what may be a 197cc 6E engine. There is no documentation for the machine, which has been standing for a considerable time, will require restoration, and is sold strictly as viewed. We have no knowledge of its mechanical condition, except that the engine does not turn over. The Vehicle Registration Number 'BCP 946' displayed on the machine has lapsed from the HPI/DVLA databases hence the machine is offered unregistered.

Saleroom notices

The VMCC Ambassador marque specialist kindly advises, this lot is a 1950 Ambassador Series IV (later to become the Popular), but fitted with a later (c.1953) Villiers 8E engine, probably from a Greeves. It would appear that the petrol tank, headlamp, and exhaust are missing and that a previous keeper has replaced the original steel mudguard blades for aluminium ones; otherwise what remains of the machine is believed to be as it left the factory, including the Webb pressed steel girder forks. This is currently one of nine 1950 Series IVs known to exist and recorded on the Register. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 671: click here

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