
Andrew Barrett
Specialist
LOT 167
1912 BAT 964cc Model 3 V-twin Motorcycle Combination Frame no. None Visible Engine no. 16805
• 'The Pullman Car' of motorcycling
• Purchased circa 1992
• Pioneer Certificate
"By 1908 BAT was known for its comfort and speed, while it met with success at Brooklands where its build suited the track." – Bacon & Hallworth, The British Motorcycle Directory.
Having had his proposals for improvements in motorcycle design rejected by established makers, Samuel Batson set up business in Penge, South East London to build machines incorporating his ideas. That was in 1902, and one of Batson's first products, ridden by F W Chase, soon set a number of records, giving rise to the company's 'Best After Test' slogan, adopted in 1903. Chase's machine was De Dion-powered but BAT soon switched to MMC and later Minerva. A forecar was introduced in 1904. The company was bought by E H Tessier in 1905 and the following year switched to using engines from JAP, Stevens, and Soncin. Single-cylinder and v-twin models were offered, and BAT would come to use JAP power units exclusively after a few years. The Martinsyde company was acquired in 1923 and the firm traded as BAT-Martinsyde until it ceased production in 1925.
In 1912 this BAT combination cost £72 10s plus £15 15s for the Phoenix wicker sidecar, and was advertised as 'The Pullman Car' of motorcycling. The machine features a JAP engine; a two-speed counter-shaft gearbox with clutch; and chain final drive. Other notable features include a Middlemore & Lamplugh 10-12 stone saddle, a foot whistle, and a Bosch magneto.
Purchased at a UK auction circa 1992 (catalogue page on file), the machine is offered with an old UK V5 registration document; Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate (issued 1982); a magazine article (in French); a selection of photographs; and some photocopied technical literature. (The dating certificate lists the frame number as '144', as does the V5.)
• Le « Pullman » de la moto
• Acquise vers 1992
• Certificat Pioneer
Acquise dans une vente aux enchères au Royaume-Uni vers 1992 (page du catalogue au dossier), la machine est proposée avec un ancien document d'immatriculation britannique V5, le certificat Sunbeam MCC Pioneer (émis en 1982), un article de magazine (en français), une sélection de photos et de la littérature technique en photocopies. Le certificat de datation mentionne « 144 » comme numéro de cadre, comme le V5, mais il n'a pas été possible de trouver le numéro du cadre au moment de la rédaction de ce catalogue.
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.
The engine number is T.6805. The Pioneer Certificate states the frame number is 144 however it has not been possible to locate it.






















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