Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, 1931 Wallis-JAP 350cc Speedway Racing Motorcycle

Engine no. IOR/S 45642

• A defining dirt track model
• Very rare twin port 'Dog Ear' JAP engine
• Produced before the merger with Comerfords

The first prototype engine for dirt track racing emerged from the Prestwich factory in February 1930 within three months from Bill Bragg's meeting with Vivien Prestwich at the Olympia MotorCycle Show the previous November. This first JAP engine was a hybrid made up from a modified 350cc engine that had been used for setting records at Brooklands. A 500cc barrel had been grafted on with its fins trimmed to reduce weight and a modified 350cc twin port head completed that first engine. The quest to minimise weight and deliver competitive power with the Rudge, which was beginning to challenge the Douglas, was not successful.

Technical director, Stan Greening worked hard to improve all areas of the recalcitrant power plant. It was not until Wal Phillips acquired a Rudge that a breakthrough was forthcoming (see Lot 503). The strength of the Rudge engine, apart from the 4 valve layout, which Greening did not want to use, was in the port shapes and angle and in valve timing and cam profiles. Still retaining the twin port head, by August 1930 the engine was ready for testing using the newly developed Lodge racing plugs and the twin float track racing carburettor specially designed for them by Amal.

The frame that George Wallis persuaded Wal Phillips to use for that first test was not a success but with modifications including shortening the wheelbase and altering the front fork angle the Wallis finally proved to be a winner, the speed and handling all too obviously capable of serious competition.

Soon everyone wanted one but at this time only experimental engines were being used. However, a few replicas were produced that year, the fortunate few including Arthur Warwick, Dicky Case and Phil Bishop all proving the success of the new Wallis JAP. During the winter of 1930/1 further improvements were made including a single port cylinder head whilst the twin port head continued a little longer. 1931 saw for the first time the famous JAP logo on the timing cover replacing the previous JAP letters that had been inscribed in block capitals. Innovation always has its detractors but the sceptics of the new JAP engine were in for a surprise. When early in 1931 a special invitation race was included in the British Motor Cycle Racing Club's Brooklands event for machines fitted with the new JAP speedway engine.

Here there were wins at over 90mph with Wal Phillips lap at 105mph earning him a rare and coveted Brooklands Gold Star for those who managed a lap at over 100mph. The sceptics were silenced. All the more impressive was that the lap had been achieved by a speedway rider. The Wallis JAP was now in much demand and whilst Wallis produced some of these himself, he eventually teamed up with Comerfords, the machine becoming known as the Comerford Wallis.

There is no history file with this Wallis but it probably dates from 1931. The frame is very similar to the Wallis Blackburn (Lot 503) but following a little later with one of the very rare twin port 'Dog Ear' engines with exposed push rods and rocker assembly, the engine with the JAP logo as introduced in 1931. The exhaust pipes following the Rudge style with a low pipe to the offside and a steeper angled pipe to the left side. A rare and unique machine, this Wallis was produced before the merger with Comerfords and later in turn taken over by Victor Martin, remaining in production throughout the 1930s. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
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