LOT 444
Ridden by Tommy Robb Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica Registration no. not registered Frame no. JML-PMR 006 Engine no. MC14E-1072447
Sold for £11,500 inc. premium
Lot 444
Ridden by Tommy Robb,Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix ReplicaRegistration no. not registered Frame no. JML-PMR 006 Engine no. MC14E-1072447
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
Ridden by Tommy Robb
Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. JML-PMR 006
Engine no. MC14E-1072447
Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. JML-PMR 006
Engine no. MC14E-1072447
• Built by Phil Morris
• Based directly on Mike Hailwood's RC163
• Honda CBR250RR engine
The Honda RC163 won the 250cc World Championship with Jim Redman riding in its debut year of 1962, which also marked the recruitment of Tommy Robb into the Honda Grand Prix Team. The diminutive Ulsterman duly rewarded their faith in him by winning the 250cc class at the Ulster GP, beating champion-elect Jim Redman in the process. In fact, Tommy finished inside the top six in all four World Championship classes contested by Honda that year, a better performance than any of their other riders.
Genuine examples of Honda's fabulous Grand Prix-winning multi-cylinder racers of the 1960s have always been out of the financial reach of all but the most wealthy collectors and museums. Generally considered far too precious to parade, let alone race, they are seldom seen in action. The result of this situation has been the growth in recent years of a 'cottage industry' of replica-builders, many of whom use the four-cylinder engine of the modern CB250R sports roadster, a Japan-only model never officially imported into the UK. When first introduced in 1986 as the Type MC14, this little jewel had around 45bhp on tap at 14,500rpm. The series progressed via the CBR250R (MC17 and MC19) to the CBR250RR (MC22) and was last made in 1999, though the engine type (MC14E) remained the same throughout. Water-cooling aside, it is the closest in spirit to Honda's Grand Prix power units of the 1960s.
This CBR250RR-powered RC163 replica is one of 25 built by Phil Morris, which were eagerly snapped up by customers worldwide. Frame number '006', it is based on Mike Hailwood's works RC163 (owned by Frank Levy and displayed in the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu) which was borrowed for the purpose. The rolling chassis, cycle parts, tanks, and exhausts are faithful copies of the originals, while the machine also boasts numerous Hailwood-specific details. This is the first example completed and has been kept by Phil as a reference. "There isn't another as close to the real thing," he tells us.
This RC163 replica has been ridden by former Honda works rider and Grand Prix winner Tommy Robb at numerous major events, and is the No. 2 bike of two similar available to him. The machine comes with a massive history file of invoices and other material.
• Based directly on Mike Hailwood's RC163
• Honda CBR250RR engine
The Honda RC163 won the 250cc World Championship with Jim Redman riding in its debut year of 1962, which also marked the recruitment of Tommy Robb into the Honda Grand Prix Team. The diminutive Ulsterman duly rewarded their faith in him by winning the 250cc class at the Ulster GP, beating champion-elect Jim Redman in the process. In fact, Tommy finished inside the top six in all four World Championship classes contested by Honda that year, a better performance than any of their other riders.
Genuine examples of Honda's fabulous Grand Prix-winning multi-cylinder racers of the 1960s have always been out of the financial reach of all but the most wealthy collectors and museums. Generally considered far too precious to parade, let alone race, they are seldom seen in action. The result of this situation has been the growth in recent years of a 'cottage industry' of replica-builders, many of whom use the four-cylinder engine of the modern CB250R sports roadster, a Japan-only model never officially imported into the UK. When first introduced in 1986 as the Type MC14, this little jewel had around 45bhp on tap at 14,500rpm. The series progressed via the CBR250R (MC17 and MC19) to the CBR250RR (MC22) and was last made in 1999, though the engine type (MC14E) remained the same throughout. Water-cooling aside, it is the closest in spirit to Honda's Grand Prix power units of the 1960s.
This CBR250RR-powered RC163 replica is one of 25 built by Phil Morris, which were eagerly snapped up by customers worldwide. Frame number '006', it is based on Mike Hailwood's works RC163 (owned by Frank Levy and displayed in the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu) which was borrowed for the purpose. The rolling chassis, cycle parts, tanks, and exhausts are faithful copies of the originals, while the machine also boasts numerous Hailwood-specific details. This is the first example completed and has been kept by Phil as a reference. "There isn't another as close to the real thing," he tells us.
This RC163 replica has been ridden by former Honda works rider and Grand Prix winner Tommy Robb at numerous major events, and is the No. 2 bike of two similar available to him. The machine comes with a massive history file of invoices and other material.
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.
Additional information
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