1913 Rex 896cc 6hp V-Twin

• Present ownership since 1986
• Engine fully rebuilt in 1987
• Many-time Pioneer Run participant

This Veteran Rex's previous owner was Reg Scott and was last ridden by him in 1986. He passed away that same year. Our vendor bought the machine from Reg Scott's family. The engine was in a sorry state and it took a year to rebuild it; indeed, the Rex only started up again the day before the 50th Anniversary Pioneer Run in 1987. A full account of the engine rebuild and the many problems the vendor had to solve in the process is included in the sale. The engine has not been touched since, although it should be noted that the valves will need adjusting. The magneto was rewound by a Mr Holder in Hastings, and the headlight is fitted with a halogen bulb (disguised as a gas jet), which requires a 12-volt battery in the rear pannier.

Since the engine rebuild, 'AP 299' has been used on every Pioneer Run from 1987 to 2000 inclusive (1990 excepted), on four occasions being ridden by the owner's friend, Tom. As one may imagine, the vendor has greatly enjoyed participating in the Pioneer Run on the Rex. The Rex has also took part in the 1990 Oude Klepper Glorie in Belgium and the Eastbourne Lions Classic Charity Run every year from 2001 to 2011, with the exception of 2010.

A large quantity of finisher's medals is offered with the machine together with 34 tax discs dating from 1970 to 2015. The Rex also comes with a Pioneer Certificate; copy of the Rex 1913 catalogue and parts book; a facsimile of its old-style continuation logbook; and old/current V5/V5C documents (see below). Applied to the machine in 1969, the registration 'AP 299' is a Lewes number dating from 1904. A Brammer belt; tools to adjust the belt (in the rear pannier); two cylinder heads; and an inner tube are included in the sale.

It should be noted that the V5C records a partial frame number ('231'). This would appear to be an historical clerical error. The copy of the continuation log book (dating from 4th November 1969) repeats this error, as does the Pioneer Certificate. However when Bonhams inspected the machine it was possible to discern '04' after '231' on the top of the rear frame lug. '23104' is in keeping with known Rex frame number sequences (see Lot 642 sold on 23rd April 2022 and Lot 258 sold on 28 April 2013).