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LOT 109

1960 Matchless CSR Registration no. A74508 Frame no. X7086

Sold for US$4,830 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 109

1960 Matchless CSR

1960 Matchless CSR
Registration no. A74508
Frame no. X7086

As often was the case with British twins that started life displacing 500cc, the push to field a 650-class version was initiated by Americans, in AMC's case their Los Angeles-based importer Frank Cooper. The company's well-regarded singles could fend very well for themselves but Cooper wanted even more power for the twins – now overbored to 593cc – to keep buyers from migrating to competing showrooms. That boost came in 1958 with the G12 Matchless and Model 31 AJS, displacing 646cc via a longer stroke, available in standard tune and higher-rated CSR trim, the latter with raised compression

ratio, higher-performance cams and a 2-into-1 siamesed exhaust setup. A bonafide "Ton Up" machine, a G12CSR on test with the U.K.'s Motor Cycling magazine posted a 108.5mph top speed.

According to the brochure, the CSR moniker stood for Competition Sports Road, though wags insisted upon "Coffee Shop Racer." Certainly the sporting model's performance credibility was done no harm in 1960 when a factory-backed CSR won the prestigious Thruxton 500-mile endurance road race for production-based machines.

This motorcycle presented here appears to have been given a sympathetic partial restoration some years ago, and as such, a recommissioning would be in order prior to bringing the machine back out on the road.

Saleroom notices

Please note, the title will be in transit.

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