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.

Although the American-made Motoped of 1915 and Autoped of 1917 are acknowledged as the first recognisable motor scooters, they were soon followed by the British-made Skootamota. Introduced in 1919, with the bulk of production carried out in 1920-1921, the Skootamota was the work of engineering genius Granville Bradshaw, creator of the advanced ABC flat-twin motorcycle produced by the Sopwith Aircraft Company. Although designed and introduced while Bradshaw was working for ABC, the Skootamota was manufactured and marketed by Gilbert Campling Ltd of Albemarle Street, London W1. Bradshaw's Skootamota was powered by a 123cc 'exhaust-over-inlet' engine mounted horizontally above the rear wheel, which was driven directly by chain, with the cylinder pointing backwards, while later versions had an overhead-valve engine.

Hailed by its maker as "the dependable little motor-machine that will take you anywhere you want to go in comfort, at little cost and with safety – anywhere, anytime", the Skootamota lasted into the early 1920s by which time the first ever 'scooter boom' was at an end.

An older restoration, this Skootamota has the overhead-valve engine and CAV magneto. Its '184' frame number places this example early in the model's production, with most survivors having higher frame numbers.

The displayed registration 'BL 6736' was issued by Berkshire County Borough in late 1919, while HPI and DVLA records confirm the date of first registration as 18th December 1919.

Offered without documents. Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number 'BL 6736', the HPI report states that this motorcycle was exported in 1996 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.
Key not required