1931 Levis 247cc Model B Special Project

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 15:05 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

1931 Levis 247cc Model B Special Project

Registration no. FS 539
Frame no. 21171
Engine no. 26079

Manufactured by Butterfields Ltd of Stechford, Birmingham, the Levis motorcycle derived its name for the Latin word for 'light', which was one of the diminutive machine's many virtues. One of the pioneers of the two-stroke motorcycle, the firm commenced manufacture of its 211cc, single-gear lightweight in 1911. Soon dubbed 'Popular', the model was a huge success for the Birmingham marque, remaining in production until 1926. Eventually Levis was forced to add four-stroke models to the range, commencing in 1927 with an overhead-valve '350': the Model A. Sales were slow at first but picked up considerably with the introduction of a twin-port A2 variant, which also featured high-level exhaust pipes and a foot-change gearbox. A 247cc Model B version followed. In 1935 the 'Special' designation was adopted in order to distinguish the top-of-the-range overhead-valve models from the more basic and cheaper 'Light' versions offered. For 1938 the A and B Specials had their valve gear enclosed, though, strangely, lubrication continued to be by the 'total loss' method. Production of Levis motorcycles ceased in 1940 and the marque was not revived post-war.

This Levis Model B Special was in a dismantled state before being loosely assembled by the late private owner's son. The machine comes with an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1947) and an old-style V5, the former recording the owner in 1947 as one Thomas Dewbury of Eynesbury, St Neots. No previous history is known. The machine is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed (the engine comes with it). Key not required.

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 28%+VAT on the first £40k of the Hammer Price, then 27%+VAT up to £800k, then 21%+VAT up to £4.5M and 14.5%+VAT thereafter.

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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Additional information

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