The Andrew Tillman Collection, 1958 BSA 174cc Bantam D5 Super

• Painstakingly restored
• Rare, one year only model with only 200-300 believed to survive
• Original engine & frame

The design of the Bantam, as is well known, came to BSA as part of war reparations in the immediate post-war period. It was actually a 125 DKW which BSA reversed, thus moving the gearchange to the right-hand side of the engine in common with British practice of the day. It was put into production initially in 1948 and in the ensuing years was slowly developed, increasing in capacity from 125 to 150, and then to 175. Following the change from the original D1, the capacity was uplifted to 150cc with the advent of the D3 Bantam Major, which appeared for the 1954 model year, running alongside the two D1 models. The D3 gained a swinging arm frame for 1956, before, in 1958, the D5 Super made its debut with a swinging arm frame and enlarged capacity of 175. It remained in the model line-up for only one year until the appearance of the D7 for 1959.

472 CKP was despatched from the factory on 13th April 1958, to well-known dealers Boyers of Bromley, in Kent. It was purchased by the vendor in 2015 in a dismantled state, and given a 'nut-and-bolt' restoration over a period of 18 months. Attempting to keep the machine as close as possible to original specification, the vendor repainted the machine in the original Baynard Red colour, recovered the dual seat in the original shade of red, and fitted all original fittings, such as hard-to-find items including the correct dipswitch, ultra-rare air filter, headlamp switch, lower chainguard, and headlamp surround. Any remedial work required was carried out in the restoration, and the large amount of invoices in the history file attest to this.

The comprehensive history file includes a USB stick with photographs of the restoration. Also present is a complete tool kit. The Bantam has not been used on the road since completion of the restoration, but has, however, been regularly maintained. Last started in 2016, a new owner should only need to conduct light recommissioning, and basic safety checks, prior to use. Documentation comprises a current V5C, the aforementioned invoices, a BSA owners club dating certificate, the vendor's purchase receipt, and sundry papers. The machine is presently on SORN.

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