LOT 107

1961 Ambassador 197cc 3 Star Registration no. 109 VTE Frame no. *11.1.131* Engine no. 580B 4809

Sold for £1,495 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 107

1961 Ambassador 197cc 3 Star

Motorcycles Online - The February Sale|26 February 2024, 12:20 GMT|Online, Milton Keynes

1961 Ambassador 197cc 3 Star
Registration no. 109 VTE
Frame no. 11.1.131
Engine no. 580B 4809

Founded by pre-war record breaker Kaye Don, Ambassador launched its first machine in 1947. Known as the 'Series I', the first Ambassador was a conventional lightweight powered by a 197cc Villiers 5E engine, and power units from the Wolverhampton firm would continue to be used right up until the end of Ambassador production in 1964. First introduced in April 1959, the 3 Star Special replaced the Envoy model and featured the rear enclosure of the Super S. Powered was supplied by the 197cc Villiers 9E engine in either three-speed or four-speed specification, while the enclosure theme was extended further in the form of a voluminous front mudguard, a shroud over the handlebars, and an optional rear chain case. Inherited from the Super S, the telescopic front fork was unusual in having adjustable spring preload. The model name was shortened to simply '3 Star' for 1960.

This tidy example of a rarely seen British lightweight comes with its original old-style logbook showing that it was first registered by King's Motorcycles (Oxford) Ltd on 14th July 1961. Strangely, the first change of owner did not occur until 1964 when ownership passed to a Terence King of Failsworth. The vendor purchased the Ambassador in December 2012, since when it has been dry stored; recommissioning will be required before the machine returns to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). Additional documentation consists of a V5C and some expired MoTs.
Key not required

Footnotes

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