LOT 308

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection c.1951 AJS 498cc Model 20 Springtwin Registration no. 33 FMN (Isle of Man) Frame no. overpainted Engine no. 51/20 5620

Sold for £4,025 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 308

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, c.1951 AJS 498cc Model 20 Springtwin

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|14 October 2023, 10:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection
c.1951 AJS 498cc Model 20 Springtwin
Registration no. 33 FMN (Isle of Man)
Frame no. overpainted
Engine no. 51/20 5620

The last of the major British motorcycle manufacturers to offer a parallel twin, Associated Motor Cycles did not announce its own 'Springtwin' until the Earls Court Motorcycle Show of 1948, and even then production was for export only. Typed Model 20 (AJS) and G9 (Matchless), the two newcomers followed the established pattern of British parallel twins but were unusual in having an engine with a third, central, crankshaft main bearing. The new 498cc power unit was housed in the swinging-arm frame recently introduced on AMC's heavyweight singles, and for once there was a fair amount of variation between the two marques, which featured their own individual tanks, seats, and exhaust pipes in addition to the customary badge and colour scheme differences. The Model 20 and G9 remained in production until mid-1961.

This AJS Model 20 comes with an Isle of Man Registration Book issued in October 1992 in the name of Mr Fred Swancott. The AJS has belonged to Tony East since at least January 2020, as evidenced by invoices for parts on file. Restored throughout, the machine also comes with an original AJS instruction book.

Footnotes

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