Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 1939 Excelsior 250cc Manxman Racing Motorcycle

Registration no. not registered Frame no. JRS 106 Engine no. CXCR99

• Originally built for and raced by Alan Bruce's factory-supported syndicate
• Ridden by Charlie Manders at the 1939 IoM TT (with different engine)
• One of only five special short-wheelbase spring-frame works machines

It is well documented in a letter released to the press early in 1938 that Mr Eric Walker, then Managing Director of the Excelsior Motor Company, considered it no longer viable to continue building and racing machines to compete on equal terms with the complex factory racing specials run by overseas manufacturers. Mr Walker's announcement to the racing department in April 1939 that Excelsior would cease all racing activities with immediate effect was probably anticipated, but for the race shop personnel and contracted works riders it was seen as a potential disaster.

With little time before the commencement of practice for the 1939 Isle of Man TT, Excelsior's technical director Alan Bruce, supported by works rider and fellow Excelsior employee Tyrell Smith, approached Mr Walker with a proposal to purchase all the existing 1938 works racing machines and spares with the objective of forming a racing syndicate similar to Graham Walker's successful Rudge team. Of course, Tyrell Smith had operational experience of Graham Walker's team having ridden for it, and therefore understood what needed to be done to make it successful.

For the new syndicate to be financially viable, Tyrell Smith and team-mate Charlie Manders would need to ride in as many races as possible at the TT, and by doing so earn as much start money and equipment manufacturers' bonuses as possible to defray the syndicate's not inconsiderable operational expenses.

In May 1939 Mr Walker generously allowed Alan Bruce and Tyrell Smith to use the factory frame shop and engine test facility to build a new machine for Charlie Manders. This syndicate machine was allocated frame number 'JRS 106' and fitted with a new 350 engine which was allocated the number 'CXCR100'. To maximise potential earnings, this new machine was entered for both the Junior and Senior TT races. For the record: Manders failed to finish both the Junior and Senior races but did have the consolation of 6th place in the Lightweight event. Immediately after the 1939 TT the syndicate was disbanded, and the machines were sold to selected privateers just before the outbreak of WW2.

Racing returned in 1946, and with a shortage of any competitive lightweight racing machinery the works Excelsiors continued to be campaigned until obsolescence overtook them. The name Norman Webb is forever linked with Excelsior, and over a period of many years he eventually traced and purchased all five-special short-wheelbase spring-frame machines. He personally raced some of them and in later years restored all the bikes for future generations of enthusiasts to enjoy.

Finally, to emphasise the rarity of the machine offered for sale, although a JR12/S racing Manxman was listed in the 1939 catalogue, none were actually manufactured and despatched by Excelsior to their dealer network. Excelsior factory records show that only four short-wheelbase machines featuring plunger rear suspension and semi-unit construction engines were built and raced as works entries during the 1938 season. The machine offered now is the fifth and last machine of this type built and as mentioned earlier it was manufactured in May 1939. However, it should be noted that the engine fitted to the machine now is a 1938 unit with serial number 'CXCR99'. Therefore, this is not the engine that Charlie Manders used at the 1939 TT.

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.