LOT 370

c.1931 Motosacoche 500cc D50 Racing Motorcycle Registration no. unregistered Frame no. 21026 Engine no. None

Sold for £23,000 inc. premium

Lot 370

c.1931 Motosacoche 500cc D50 Racing Motorcycle

The Autumn Stafford Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|11 October 2026, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

c.1931 Motosacoche 500cc D50 Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. unregistered
Frame no. 21026
Engine no. None

Founded in Acacias, Geneva in 1901, Motosacoche took its name from Henri and Armand Dufaux's self-contained cyclemotor power unit, literally 'une moto sa coche' or 'engine in a bag'. Marketed as 'MAG', the firm's well made proprietary engines were widely used throughout Continental Europe, the French and Italian markets being served by subsidiary factories in Lyon and Milan respectively. Motosacoche's characteristic inlet-over-exhaust engines were replaced by (mainly) sidevalve types towards the end of the 1920s, while for sports and competition use the firm offered a range of overhead-valve and overhead-camshaft units. After WW2 the firm went into a steep decline and in 1956 ceased to manufacture motorcycles, though production of stationary and industrial engines continued. The brand has recently been revived as a builder of electric bikes.

This rare Motosacoche featured in a track test published in The Classic Motor Cycle's November 1986 edition; ridden by Ian Griggs at Cadwell park, the machine has not been used since and was on display at W H Balderston's motorcycle shop in Peterborough for years for passing trade to see. It will need recommissioning before returning to the road and is offered without documents.
Key not required

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