LOT 221

Offered from the estate of the late Neil Redley; The 1955 Earls Court Motorcycle Show 1956 Velocette 499cc Venom Registration no. RYP 890 Frame no. RS7623C Engine no. VM 1001

Sold for £9,775 inc. premium

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Lot 221

Offered from the estate of the late Neil Redley; The 1955 Earls Court Motorcycle Show, 1956 Velocette 499cc Venom

The Autumn Stafford Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|12 October 2025, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

Offered from the estate of the late Neil Redley; The 1955 Earls Court Motorcycle Show
1956 Velocette 499cc Venom
Registration no. RYP 890
Frame no. RS7623C
Engine no. VM 1001

• First registered to Velocette agents L Stevens Ltd
• Purchased from Geoff Steele in 2011
• Not used for some time
• Requires recommissioning

Newly introduced for 1956, the Venom sports roadster was derived from the touring MSS. The latter had disappeared from the range in 1948, reappearing in 1954 with a new swinging-arm frame and telescopic front fork. The engine too was updated, changing to 'square' bore and stroke dimensions of 86x86mm, which permitted higher revs and potentially greater power, as well as gaining an alloy cylinder barrel and 'head. In the autumn of 1955, engine development pursued as part of the scrambles programme bore fruit in the shape of the high-performance Venom and its 350cc sibling, the Viper, which were launched at that year's Motorcycle Show at Earls Court. The MSS frame and forks were retained for the newcomers but full-width alloy hubs were adopted to boost braking power and smart chromed mudguards fitted to enhance the models' sporting image. Produced until the end of Velocette production in 1971, the Venom represents the final glorious flowering of the traditional British sports single. Today these supremely well-engineered thoroughbreds are highly sought after.

The machine offered here is the very first Venom produced and was displayed on the Velocette stand at the Earls Court Motorcycle Show in 1955. Purchased from Geoff Steele in 2011, this historic machine is offered with its original logbook recording L Stevens Ltd - the famous Velocette agents in Shepherds Bush, West London - as the first owners from 3rd January 1956. The Venom was sold to its first private owner later that same month.

Restored in the correct colour scheme, the Venom was taken to various shows by the late owner and in 1984 was featured in The Classic MotorCycle (article on file). Not used for some time, the machine will need recommissioning before returning to the road. Offered with a V5C document, sundry invoices, and assorted correspondence.
Key not required

Footnotes

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 12 October, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.

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