From the estate of the late 'Rocket' George Wander, 1938 BSA 499cc JM24 Gold Star

Registration no. CMJ 159 Frame no. JM24.102 Engine no. JM24.102

• Oldest surviving matching numbers Gold Star
• Offered from the estate of the world's leading BSA M24 expert
• Wonderful original patina, but used regularly
• 22 years in the current ownership

As the writer of this catalogue entry, I would like to say that the late George Wander was a very good friend of mine, and he is greatly missed. Widely known as Rocket George, he was THE world authority on BSA's pre-war M24 Gold Stars. Indeed, his website www.bsa-m24.co.uk remains the best and most accessible source of information regarding these fabulous machines. George's most cherished motorcycles were his Rocket III (Lot 538) which he had owned for 45 years, and this 1938 JM24 which he bought in "our" Brooks auction at Stafford in April 2000. It is the second Gold Star ever manufactured by BSA, and the oldest surviving matching numbers example.

It is well documented that Wal Handley, one of the star riders of the inter war period, came out of retirement in June 1937 and rode a factory entered and tuned BSA Empire Star to victory at Brooklands with a fastest lap of 107.57 mph. He therefore won a coveted Brooklands Gold Star which was awarded for laps of over 100 mph. BSA were very soon to announce their new top of the range sports machine, and as they already had a tradition of "Star" model names such as Blue Star, and Empire Star, the new M24 was appropriately named the Gold Star. It was based closely on the existing Empire Star model, but differences included: a lighter frame in Reynolds 531 high tensile tube, an all alloy engine, a petrol tank with integral toolbox, a ribbed rear brake drum, TT carburettor, and a gearbox shell in "Electron" (this was unique to the 1938 models, BSA switched to aluminium for 1939).

George was not just a collector – he rode all his machines, and this one had its legs stretched on regular occasions. An accomplished restorer, he went to great pains to preserve this machine's precious original finish while ensuring that all its mechanical aspects worked as they should. In George's own words (written at a date unknown): "It left the BSA factory with nine others on 17.12.1937 and was delivered to Imperial Motors in Bedford, where it was displayed until registered in May 1939. Nothing is known of the bikes history until December 1947 when it was acquired by a Mr George Lockwood of Bedford, who may well have bought it from Imperial Motors where it would have remained during the war years. He sold it in July 1948 to a Mr Joseph Ford of Stony Stratford, Bucks and it was next sold on to Mr Gilbert Ball of Cheltenham in March 1949. (I have a copy of the original advertisement in "The Motorcycle" dated 10.3.49, which describes the bike as being in "as new" condition). Mr Ball owned the bike until June 1961 when it was sold to a Mr James Hehir. From 1962 until 1994 it lay unused in a shed in Gloucestershire, where it was discovered by the family of the last known owner, a Mr Tony Price. His sons Rob & Dexter Price, both ex TT & Manx GP riders, recommissioned the bike in 1996, and it was ridden again for the first time in 34 years at the Silverstone Classic Motorcycle Festival, and displayed on the BSA Gold Star Owners Club Stand. The bike saw little use after that until I acquired it in April 2000. I carried out a thorough mechanical and electrical overhaul, after which I have used it regularly on the road. It has appeared every year since 2001 at the Coupes Moto Legende at Montlhery and Dijon and on two occasions at Cadwell Park at the Beezumph Rally. It remains 100% original and unrestored, and, in my opinion, is the finest and most interesting of the 30 or so M24 Gold Stars still in existence around the world."

CMJ 159 is accompanied by a notebook, multiple invoices, current and old style V5Cs, photocopies of period magazine articles, correspondence from the previous owner with our own Malcolm Barber as well as the Gold Star Owners club, and the Brooks invoice dated 16.4.2000 which is made out to George's great friend, the late Dr George Cohen, who had bought it on his behalf. No keys are supplied. The engine oil is believed to have been drained and some recommissioning is recommended following a period of inactivity. Prospective bidders should satisfy themselves as to the motorcycle's completeness and mechanical condition prior to bidding. This is a truly unique opportunity to acquire the oldest surviving matching numbers BSA Gold Star in wonderfully original condition.