LOT 741

The property of Ewan Cameron c.1953 Phoenix-JAP 497cc Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. TT53 Engine no. JORZ/H/75745/1

Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000

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Lot 741

The property of Ewan Cameron, c.1953 Phoenix-JAP 497cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered Frame no. TT53 Engine no. JORZ/H/75745/1

The Summer Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show (Three-Day Auction)|4 July 2021, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The property of Ewan Cameron
c.1953 Phoenix-JAP 497cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. TT53
Engine no. JORZ/H/75745/1

• Built by Ernie Barrett in the early 1950s
• Ultra-rare JAP racing engine
• Restored and modified by Ewan Cameron

"Keen observers came across an unusual machine entered for the Oliver's Mount road race meeting at Scarborough in September when amongst the 500s was an experimental 500cc single cylinder racing JAP engine mounted in the frame of a 'featherbed' Norton. Of 80x99mm dimensions, giving a cubic capacity of 497cc, it had a light alloy cylinder head, an Alfin cylinder barrel and dry sump lubrication. The rider was E. A. Barrett, of South Tottenham." – Jef Clew, JAP – The End of an Era.

The machine offered here is one of a small series of racing motorcycles built in the early 1950s by established Isle of Man TT and short-circuit competitor, E A 'Ernie' Barrett. Ernie lived in Tottenham, North London, not far from the J A Prestwich factory, so the choice of JAP engines for his Phoenix racers was a logical one. Barrett used a frame of his own design and built machines for the 250, 350, and 500cc categories. It is not known how many were produced, but Ernie successfully rode a 250cc version to 12th place in the 1953 Isle of Man Lightweight TT. He also contested the Junior and Senior TTs in 1953 riding Phoenix-JAP machines but failed to finish in either race. Barrett's 500 Phoenix is believed to be the last single-cylinder JAP-engined machine to race in period at the IoM TT. As well as Jeff Clew's book, the Barrett Phoenix is also featured in Motor Cycling magazine's editions of 25th September 1952 and 2nd April 1953; in Excelsior and its Racing Rivals by Paul Ingham; and in the Keig Collection Volume 5.

Driving via an AMC gearbox, the engine is inclined forwards in the Featherbed-style chassis, which features an Earles-Type leading-link front fork and swinging-arm rear suspension. The engine number decodes as a 497cc overhead-valve racing unit with dry sump lubrication, dating from 1951. JAP's model year began on 1st September of the preceding year and ended on 31st August, so this engine was built between 1st September 1950 and 31st August 1951. Although not original to the frame, but of the correct type, this engine is of some historical importance: it is stamped 'S.MOSS' to the drive-side crankcase, indicating that it had been supplied to or used by the late Sir Stirling Moss, most likely in a Formula 3 Cooper.

Only some five or six of these engines are known to survive worldwide, and Ewan Cameron purchased this one around 25-30 years ago from sprinting legend, Ernie Woods. The frame and the Earles-type front fork came from Sid King, while the engine was only installed five years ago. Ewan restored the Phoenix-JAP himself, making the tank and seat and carrying out other modifications, which included inclining the engine in the frame (the original swinging arm, clutch and Albion gearbox are included in the sale). The project took some ten years to complete and was finished around 18 months ago.

Saleroom notices

TT53 is stamped behind the steering head. There is a second frame number stamped to the rear left hand frame gusset. The correct engine number is JOR2/H/75715/1. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 741: click here

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