From the estate of the late Dave Benson, 1929 Francis-Barnett 344cc Model 10 'Pullman'

• Purchased from Brian Verrall in 1985
• Used at the VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes

Founded by Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett, Francis-Barnett set up shop in the old Excelsior works in Coventry in 1919. The downturn in the motorcycle market in the early 1920s prompted F-B to switch from producing expensive, high quality machines to the more utilitarian. First seen in 1923, the first of these was the triangulated, pin-jointed, straight-tube frame models whose novel method of construction gave rise to the 'Built Like A Bridge' advertising slogan. With the exception of a pair of Blackburne-engined four-strokes introduced in 1935, Francis-Barnett used Villiers two-stroke engines exclusively throughout the 1930s. First seen in 1928, the Pullman was Francis-Barnett's attempt to create a luxury two-stroke tourer, featuring a Villiers-built inline twin-cylinder engine with in-unit gearbox, multi-plate clutch, worm-gear primary drive, and automatic lubrication, which was carried in the firm's characteristic bolted-up straight-tube frame. There was also two-stage silencing, making the Pullman unusually quiet. Deliveries did not commenced until the following year and the Pullman was priced at £68 5s, making it more expensive than the 350cc overhead-camshaft AJS, for example. It was also rather slow, its top speed of around 55mph being roughly the same as that of the 172cc Villiers models. Not surprisingly, sales were disappointing, and production ceased after little more than a year. Survivors are few, and the Pullman is now highly sought after by collectors.

This motorcycle was previously owned by the late Dave Benson, former Life Vice President of the British Two-Stroke Club and its Villiers marque specialist, having been purchased by him in 1985 from the late Brian Verrall. Verrall's sales invoice is on file, describing the motorcycle as a '1930 Francis Barnett Pullman', unregistered, and listing the frame number as 'E1317' and the engine number as 'TW282'. (It should be noted that the Francis-Barnett Owners' Club has advised us that the frame is from a Dominion model.) Apparently, Dave removed engine 'TW282' and sold it on, subsequently installing the current engine, 'TW327'.

On one occasion Dave and the 'Pullman' were photographed at the VMCC's 'Festival of 1000 Bikes', the resulting picture being published in The Classic MotorCycle (see file). Also on file are photocopies of the manufacturer's brochure and various magazine articles, together with a selection of photographs. It should be noted that the registration displayed on the bike, 'UP 7706', is not on the HPI database and that there is no registration document with this Lot.