1936 Royal Enfield 225cc Motor Carrier

• Extremely rare Royal Enfield commercial vehicle
• Single family ownership since 1981
• An older restoration, offered from dry storage
• Requires recommissioning


In pre-war days motorcycle-based 'motor carriers' were popular with impecunious local tradesmen unable to afford a van. Introduced in 1935, Royal Enfield's offering in this particular market sector was powered by the 225cc two-stroke engine from the firm's Model A motorcycle. Coupled to a three-speed gearbox, the engine was carried in a sturdy pressed-steel chassis with a single unsprung wheel at the rear and a two-wheeled axle at the front, the latter pivoting on a central kingpin. Shrouded by the frontal cargo box, the engine was fan cooled by means of fins on the external flywheel. A variety of boxes was available to suit different applications; brakes were fitted to all three wheels and the Motor Carrier was claimed to have a top speed of 25mph. It is estimated that around 250 were made, with only a tiny handful known to survive today: one is owned by Hitchcock's Motorcycles (Royal Enfield dealers in Solihull) and another thought to be in Australia.
First registered in 1936, this example is believed to be the 75th built (see correspondence on file) while the original logbook records the first owner as one James Riding Ormerod of Knott End, near Fleetwood (Lancashire).
Offered from long-term family ownership, this Motor Carrier formerly belonged to the current vendor's late father, Charles Bishop, who purchased it in 1981 from Honor Oak Motorcycles 'in need of work' (receipt on file). An older restoration dating from the early 1980s, it is sign-written with the address of what (until 1987) was the father's shop at 141 Lordship Lane, London SE22.
The vendor advises us the Motor Carrier last ran circa four years ago, since then it has been dry stored. A new battery has been fitted; however, following a period of inactivity the machine will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed. (It should be noted that it has not been possible to locate the frame number.)
Accompanying paperwork consists of old V5/V5C Registration documents; original R.F.60 logbook; aforementioned 1981 purchase receipt and correspondence; 1981 letter from the REOC Membership Secretary (Sue Bucknall); original 1936 certificate of insurance to first owner, framed and glazed; copy of a 1935 commercial vehicle advertising/promotional poster, framed and glazed; expired MoT certificate (1982); copy of R.E. Motor Carrier instruction book and R.E. Motor Carrier parts list and other marque-related brochures.

Offered with two keys.