Andrew Barrett
Specialist
LOT 164
1902 Singer/Perks & Birch 2½hp Tricycle Frame no. 536 Engine no. 410
Sold for €36,800 inc. premium
Lot 164
1902 Singer/Perks & Birch 2½hp Tricycle Frame no. 536 Engine no. 410
1902 Singer/Perks & Birch 2½hp Tricycle
Frame no. 536
Engine no. 410
Frame no. 536
Engine no. 410
Footnotes
• An older restoration
• VCC Certificate of Date and Pioneer Certificate
• Eligible for the London-Brighton and Pioneer Runs
"Singer Motors are controlled by one lever without releasing the handles. Their strong points are simplicity, reliability, power at hills, and freedom from electrical and transmission troubles. The engine is the finest work put into any motor cycle extant." – Singer Cycle Co Ltd.
The Singer Motor Wheel had been invented by Messrs Edwin Perks and Frank Birch, who took out patents to the design in 1899. Their invention consisted of a small four-stroke engine complete with carburettor, fuel tank, and low-tension magneto, which was housed within an eight-spoked cast-aluminium wheel suitable for attachment to any standard bicycle (at the rear) or tricycle (at the front). The pair began manufacturing the Perks & Birch motor wheel at their Rockland Works premises in Foleshill, Coventry. A close neighbour, the Singer Cycle Company was their main customer, and in 1900 Singer acquired the rights to the P&B Motor Wheel, which they proceeded to improve. Perks and Birch were taken on as Motor Engineer and Foreman respectively.
Within a few years though, the Motor Wheel had been superseded by motorcycles of more conventional design with the engine in the bottom-bracket position, driving the rear wheel by chain or belt. Nevertheless, Perks & Birch's engine-in-wheel concept would be periodically revived over the succeeding years by the likes of Cyclemaster, BSA, and Honda.
Out of the handful of known survivors, bicycle versions of the Singer Motorwheel are owned by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and by the Shuttleworth Collection. Very few tricycles are known of, making this an exceptionally rare machine from motoring's pioneering age.
An older restoration, this Singer motorised tricycle should be eligible for both the London-Brighton Veteran Car Run and the Pioneer Run as well as many other events for Veteran cars and motorcycles. Accompanying documentation includes a VCC Certificate of Date, Pioneer Certificate, (part) old-style UK V5 registration document, numerous photographs, a quantity of photocopied literature, and a letter from the previous owner. It should be noted that the number '536' quoted in the VCC dating certificate is stamped on the saddle stem, while '446' is stamped elsewhere on the frame.
• Restauration ancienne
• Certificat de datation du VCC et Certificat Pioneer
• Eligible au Londres-Brighton et au Pioneer Run
Parmi les quelques machines qui ont survécu, les versions deux roues de la Singer Motorwheel sont détenues par le National Motor Museum à Beaulieu et par la Shuttleworth Collection. Très peu de versions tricycles subsistent, ce qui fait de cette machine une absolue rareté remontant à la période des pionniers de la motorisation.
Anciennement restauré, ce tricycle motorisé Singer doit être éligible au London-Brighton Veteran Car Run et au Pioneer Run ainsi qu'à beaucoup d'autres manifestations réservées aux voitures et motocycles de la catégorie Vétérans. La documentation jointe comprend un certificat de datation du VCC, le certificat Pioneer, un document d'immatriculation (partiel) V5 britannique, de nombreuses photos, un certain nombre de documents en photocopie et une lettre du précédent propriétaire. On notera que le numéro « 536 » figurant sur le certificat de datation du VCC est frappé sur la tige de selle, tandis que le numéro « 446 » est frappé à son emplacement normal sur le cadre.
It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.
On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.
Saleroom notices
It should be noted that the '446' stamp on the saddle tube is the correct factory stamped frame number.
Additional information
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