From the estate of the late Bill Grove, 1920 Regent 688cc

Registration no. BS 9429 Frame no. 69 Engine no. E5-564

• Owned by the VMCC's Regent marque specialist, Bill Grove
• Exceptionally rare make
• An older restoration
• Not used since circa 2014

"Small manufacturer, who fitted 688cc Coventry-Victor flat twin sv engines into heavy frames of own design and manufacture." – Erwin Tragatsch, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles.

Some measure of Regent's obscurity may be gained from the fact that the foregoing is all that Tragtasch has to say about this little-known make. Set up in London in 1919, Regent Motors approached Coventry Victor for the supply of their motorcycle's sidevalve engines and other components, which were assembled initially in Coventry and then sent down to London for finishing. Although Regent Motors folded after only a year or two, Coventry Victor took over manufacture and sold its first motorcycle products under the Coventry Regent name. The marque became plain Coventry Victor from around 1920 and before the decade's end had branched out into motorcar manufacture. Complete vehicles were produced up to 1938, whereafter the firm concentrated on its general engineering business, finally disappearing in 1991.

This ultra-rare motorcycle from a long-forgotten make belonged to the VMCC's Regent marque specialist Trevor William 'Bill' Grove of Northamptonshire. The Regent was purchased shortly after the Wooller in this sale (Lot 508) both machines being 'basket cases' when acquired. Unfortunately Bill fell ill after the 2015 Beamish Run and the Wooler and Regent were then put in the garage where they have been stored ever since. Both are older restorations presented in 'as last used' condition (the Regent carries a tax disc that expired in February 2015).

Sadly, Bill passed away in 2020, hence the reason for sale. Following a period of inactivity and storage, the machine will require re-commissioning at the very least, or possibly more extensive restoration, before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Noteworthy features include a Sturmey Archer gearbox, Binks carburettor, and Klaxon horn. Documents include a V5C; a numberplate certificate; a dating certificate from The Society of Automotive Historians dated 10.2.05; and a printed copy of Bill's illustrated restoration diary. A few spares are included in the sale.
Offered without key