LOT 239

1955 James 199cc Commando Trials Registration no. LSV 701 Frame no. 55J9 151 Engine no. 065B 427E

Sold for £3,680 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

Lot 239

1955 James 199cc Commando Trials

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|20 April 2024, 14:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1955 James 199cc Commando Trials
Registration no. LSV 701
Frame no. 55J9 151
Engine no. 065B 427E

James had begun concentrating on the manufacture of two-stroke lightweights in the 1930s and continued the policy after WW2. In 1951 the company became part of Associated Motor Cycles, joining Francis-Barnett. James's models were powered by Villiers engines at first, though from 1957 many used AMC's own engine. Trials and scrambles machines were added to the range in 1949. These early types used Villiers 6E and 7E engines and had rigid frames, but by the end of the 1950s James competition models sported swinging-arm frames and the AMC engine. Particularly worthwhile mentioning is future road-race World Champion Bill Lomas's win in the 1951 Travers Trophy Trial riding his modified James, which in replica form would emerge as the production model. Arguably the best rigid lightweight trials iron of its day, the Commando was updated with hydraulically damped front forks for 1953 but had to wait until 1956 to receive a swinging-arm frame. The AMC engine continued to be fitted to James roadsters until the end of production in 1966, but before then the trials and scrambles models had reverted to Villiers power.

Nothing is known of this Commando prior to its purchase by the late owner in 1994 (sales invoice on file). Additional paperwork consists of an expired MOT (1999); a V5C document; and a dating letter from The Classic MotorCycle.

Footnotes

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This Lot will be auctioned on Saturday 20 April starting at 2pm GMT.

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