LOT 237

The Andy Chapman Collection - Part II 1972 BSA A70 Lightning 750 Registration no. not registered Frame no. A70L GE01068 Engine no. A70L/ GE01068

Estimate: £6,000 - £10,000

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Lot 237

The Andy Chapman Collection - Part II, 1972 BSA A70 Lightning 750

The Spring Stafford Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|27 April 2025, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Andy Chapman Collection - Part II
1972 BSA A70 Lightning 750
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. A70L GE01068
Engine no. A70L/ GE01068

By then in serious financial trouble, the BSA-Triumph Group collapsed in 1972, its last catalogue having been published the preceding autumn. The 650cc Thunderbird and Lightning twins were included, but there was no mention of an addition to the line up: the Lightning 750. The latter had been produced at the behest of BSA's North American distributor, which wanted a 750cc model that could be modified for dirt-track racing. The required stretch was achieved with a longer stroke, and overall gearing raised appropriately. 200 machines had to be built to satisfy the racing regulations, and all were shipped to the USA, though some leftover engines were later built into complete machines by BSA dealers in the UK.
About as rare as post-war BSAs get, this Lightning 750 is probably one of those originally sent to the USA, as evidenced by the presence of side reflectors and the US-style certification plate. The machine displays a total of 7,939 miles on the odometer (at the time of cataloguing/photography) but nothing else is known of its history. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent, or possibly more extensive restoration, before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over with compression). There are no documents or keys with this Lot.

Footnotes

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Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Spring Stafford Sale

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 27 April, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

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