1967 BSA 650cc A65 Spitfire MkIII

• Announced at the 1965 Brighton Motorcycle Show
• High-performance MKIII
• High compression twin-carburettor model
• For recommissioning

BSA's answer to Triumph's range-topping Bonneville sports roadster, the Spitfire was a new introduction for 1965 in the form of the 'Spitfire Mark II Special', though the name had previously been applied to a US-specification 'street scrambler'. Based on the previous year's Lightning Clubman, the Spitfire boasted a raised compression ratio, high-lift cams, twin Amal GP carburettors, alloy wheel rims, and BSA's 190mm front brake. With a claimed 53bhp on tap, the Spitfire was as quick in a straight line as the Bonneville, though, arguably, not as good looking. There was a slight power increase when Amal Concentric carburettors were standardised for 1967 on the Spitfire Mark III, with a further boost (to 56.5bhp) part way through the year. The Spitfire was last produced (in Mark IV form) in 1968, by which time Triumph's TLS front brake had been standardised.

Purchased by the current owner in January 2018, the private vendor informs us that the second of only two previous owners (who acquired the BSA in 1981) restored the machine. Unfortunately, the current owner did not receive any documentation to verify the restoration, but they state that the overall condition is generally good and warrants a thorough examination. Unused since acquisition, there is limited information available about the machine's history prior to purchase. Currently displaying 20,388 miles on the odometer, the machine is offered with a V5C registration document and an HPI report. This iconic BSA presents an appealing opportunity for both collectors and riders, providing the chance to revive a piece of motorcycle heritage, and will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent, together with the relevant safety checks before returning to the road.