LOT 438

Property of a deceased's estate 1979 Laverda 981cc Jota Registration no. GTL 714T Frame no. 5895 Engine no. 1000*5895*

Estimate: £9,000 - £12,000

Lot 438

Property of a deceased's estate, 1979 Laverda 981cc Jota

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

Property of a deceased's estate
1979 Laverda 981cc Jota
Registration no. GTL 714T
Frame no. 5895
Engine no. 10005895

Blessed with one of the most evocative names in motorcycling history, the Jota was the bike that really put Laverda on the map. Its direct progenitor was the tuned version of the Italian firm's 3C triple - the 3C(E) - developed for production racing by the UK importer, Slater Brothers. The production Jota was both more highly tuned and quicker, its 140mph top speed making it the world's fastest road-going production motorcycle at the time of its launch for 1976. It was also pretty handy on the racetrack, winning the UK's Avon championship in 1976 and 1978 in the hands of Pete Davies. Few major changes were made to the Jota prior to 1982 when a heavily revised version was introduced, complete with a 120-degree crankshaft that made for a more even firing order than the original's 180-degree 'flat' crank. Today, the Jota is one of the most collectible of Italian classics, particularly the first '180' version.

Currently displaying a total of 36,403 miles on the odometer, this desirable '180' Jota benefits from an engine rebuild carried out in 2012 at 34,837 miles (bill on file). Purchased by the late owner in 2014 (sales receipt on file) the machine, which would benefit from detailing, was last used circa 2015 and will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before further use (the last MoT expired in April 2016). The engine turns over. Offered with key.
Offered with key

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 V5C. The frame number is LAV.1000*5895* with '3CL' diagonally stamped over the frame number. Richard Slater kindly advises us, that the diagonally stamped '3CL' markings were added to a batch of two hundred 3CL's destined for the American market, for importers "Jarama". These markings served as a clear indicator to potential buyers, ensuring they knew the true identity of the motorcycle rather than relying on potentially misleading information from the importers or sales agents. We later repurchased most of these motorcycles and sold them in the UK market. According to our records, this particular motorcycle was eventually sold in Lincoln and registered as GTL 714 T. Furthermore, there are a number of photocopy old V5's within the machine's history file that record the colour as 'Silver/Grey'. This together with the rear grab handle (for manoeuvring the bike onto its stand) indicate the motorcycle is more likely of 1977 manufacture (despite the April 1979 date of registration), and potentially started life as a 'Silver Jota'. Close inspection of the history file is highly recommended.

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