The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection, 1932 AJS 498cc Model S3

• Ultra-rare pre-war Wolverhampton AJS model
• An older restoration
• Requires recommissioning

"As a motorcycle it has a fascination about it which can only be realised by actual experience on the road. It possesses just that something different which places it in a class by itself." – AJS Motorcycles Ltd.

At the time of its introduction in April 1931 the AJS S3 was indeed in a class of its own, being the only transverse-engined v-twin model on the UK market. Sadly, its arrival came too late to influence the fortunes of its maker, which was taken over by London-based rivals Matchless before the year's end. Indeed, the introduction of this technologically adventurous design at a time of economic slump may well have hastened the firm's demise.

The S3's air-cooled v-twin motor carried its cylinders at an included angle of 50 degrees; side-mounted valves were operated by two chain-driven camshafts, and the three-speed gearbox incorporated a spiral-bevel, right-angle drive to the enclosed rear chain. This ensemble was mounted in a duplex-loop frame with single top tube, while the forks were AJS's own Webb-type girders. Generously equipped and superbly finished like all AJS products, the S3 came with electric lighting, horn, tank-mounted instrument panel, rear luggage carrier and leather-fronted panniers as standard. Priced at £65, the S3 was rather expensive for a touring '500', but then quality never did come cheap. An overhead-valve sports version was planned but came to nothing. With a production run of little more than six months, the S3 is one of the rarest of pre-war AJS models.

A rare survivor, the example offered here featured in C E 'Titch' Allen's Third Vintage Road Test Journal published in 1975 (pages 20-24). The AJS was reported as having been restored by new owner Norman Francis. 'Titch' reckoned the S3 was good for around 65mph and 50-60 miles per gallon. As presented to day the AJS is an older restoration showing some cosmetic deterioration in various places. The instrument panel appears complete, while the current odometer reading is 23,982 miles. Accompanying paperwork consists of an old-style RF.60 logbook listing the machine as first registered July 1932; a continuation RF.60 from 1974 when the owner was the aforementioned Norman Francis of Lincolnshire; and a photocopy V5 registration document in Mr Francis' name. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.