The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.

If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

Designed by Granville Bradshaw and produced by the Sopwith Aircraft Company, the ABC drew heavily on its designer's wartime experience in the development of air-cooled aero engines. A ground-breaking design, the ABC engine was a 398cc overhead-valve flat twin with integral four-speed gearbox. Legend has it that the power unit was designed in under three weeks, but Bradshaw did not stop there, going on to pen the duplex loop frame and sprung front and rear forks that marked out the ABC as one of the most advanced motorcycles of its day. It was fast too, J L E Emerson breaking the one-hour record twice at Brooklands, the second time at an average speed of 70.44mph, a feat that necessitated exceeding 80mph on occasions. Despite these successes, this promising design was hamstrung by production difficulties and price increases, only 3,000-or-so being made up to September 1920 when Sopwith decided to ceased manufacture. A new company - ABC Motors (1920) Limited - was formed and continued manufacturing for a few more years, though production of a modified version was continued by Gnome & Rhone in France.

ABC's engine numbering is reasonably understood, and this one's '1013A' engine number dates it to early/mid-1921. According to an old Brooks Auctioneers' sale catalogue description, the frame number should be identical, although we have been unable to locate it. While old auction catalogue descriptions should be treated with caution, it shows that this machine was already being described as 1921 several decades ago and suggests that the frame number was once legible and recorded as matching. It also confirms the engine number and registration continuity.

The machine appears to be an older restoration and it should be noted that the kickstart is inoperative (the engine turns over). Accompanying documentation consists of the aforementioned Brooks catalogue description; a Japanese bank transfer document; and a UK HPI/DVLA online reports for 'LVS 404'.

Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number LVS 404 (originally PC 234) the machine is offered without registration documents and subject to the usual import channels. Accordingly prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding and will be responsible for any post-purchase DVLA applications should they wish to attempt to retrieve the VRN.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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