1920 ABC 398cc
Registration no. BF 8309 Frame no. 2446 Engine no. 2480

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|16 October 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1920 ABC 398cc
Registration no. BF 8309
Frame no. 2446
Engine no. 2480

Produced by the Sopwith Aircraft Company, the ABC drew heavily on designer Granville Bradshaw's wartime experience with aero engines. A ground-breaking design, the engine was a 398cc overhead-valve flat twin with integral four-speed gearbox, while the duplex loop frame and front and rear suspension marked out the ABC as one of the most advanced motorcycles of its day. Despite successes at Brooklands, this promising design was hamstrung by production difficulties and price increases. Only 3,000-or-so were made up to 1921 when Sopwith ceased manufacture, although production of a modified version was continued by Gnome & Rhone in France.

Recorded in the VMCC Register for many years (see photocopy), this ABC was discovered, dismantled, in 1942 in a chicken shed in Letchworth. In 1994 it was bought from a dealer by a family member, still incomplete and un-restored. During 2016 the ABC was at last restored, with any missing parts found, manufactured, or replaced with substitutes. Completed in 2017, the machine was exhibited at Montlhéry that year; it has been running but requires running in. The following components are either remanufactured or not correct; rear hub and bearing (newly remanufactured); handlebars and control levers; oil pump (incorrect); rear brake pedal; exhaust; front mudguard; foot boards. Accompanying documentation consists of a VCC statement of date; an old-style logbook; and a V5C Registration Certificate. All components for a kickstart come with the machine.
Key not required

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

This lot is offered with a VMCC statement of date and not VCC as catalogued.

Additional information

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