LOT 316

The Clive Wood MBE Collection 1929 Matchless 394cc Silver Arrow Project Registration no. UV 7487 Frame no. 845 Engine no. A703

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

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Lot 316

The Clive Wood MBE Collection, 1929 Matchless 394cc Silver Arrow Project

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|21 April 2024, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Clive Wood MBE Collection
1929 Matchless 394cc Silver Arrow Project
Registration no. UV 7487
Frame no. 845
Engine no. A703

By the early 1930s Matchless had no fewer than three different V-engined machines in the range: models 'X', 'A' and 'B', the latter pair being better known as the Silver Arrow and Silver Hawk respectively. Introduced for the 1930 season, the 394cc Silver Arrow looked like a single cylinder machine but was in fact a narrow-angle (26-degree) sidevalve v-twin, the closely spaced cylinders being contained within one casting topped by a single cylinder head. Its engine aside, the Silver Arrow was conventional enough, though linked brakes and a sprung frame were features found on few rivals. A switch from a three-speed to a four-speed gearbox at the end of 1930 was the only one significant upgrade made during the model's lifetime. Like many advanced designs before and since, it failed to fire the imagination of enthusiasts with sporting pretensions; sales were disappointing, fewer than 2,000 being sold in the four years of production. Today the Matchless Silver Arrow is both rare and sought after.

This incomplete Silver Arrow 'barn find' is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed (we have been unable to check whether engine turns over). Acquired by the late owner in June 2013, the machine comes with the associated receipt, a green continuation logbook (1977) and an old-style V5 registration document.

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.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.

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