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LOT 214

Property of a deceased's estate c.1937 Rudge 499cc Project

Sold for £4,352 inc. premium
Lot 214

Property of a deceased's estate c.1937 Rudge 499cc Project

Property of a deceased's estate c.1937 Rudge 499cc Project

Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 60324
Engine no. U2823


The full potential of Rudge's four-valves-per-cylinder design – introduced in 1924 - was slow to emerge but in 1928 Graham Walker's works 500 became the first motorcycle to win a road race - the Ulster Grand Prix - at an average speed in excess of 80mph, a feat which led to the introduction of the legendary 'Ulster' model. A variety of valve arrangements was tried across a range of 250, 350 and 500cc models, and by the mid-1930s had stabilised: the 500 Special employing a parallel layout and the Ulster a parallel/semi-radial combination. It should be noted that despite its name the Special was the touring 500, the Ulster being the sports version. Landmark developments included the enclosure of the valve-gear for 1937 and the switching of the gear change lever from the left-hand to the right-hand side of the gearbox. A compact machine with a willing engine and powerful linked brakes, the 500 Special is a delight to ride and copes easily with present-day traffic conditions, as does the Ulster.

This Rudge was purchased by the late private owner in the early 1990s and has remained an unfinished project ever since, ripe for finishing off 'as is' or fully restoring to former glory. No previous history is known. Frame '60324' dates to May 1937 and engine 'U2823' to around May 1938. The engine has Ulster crankcases but the cylinder head is from a Special. The front mudguard with side valences is also from a Special but with the bottom splash guard missing. Sold strictly as viewed, the machine comes with instruction books, spare parts lists, various brochures and a letter to marque specialist Bryan Reynolds seeking parts. 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.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

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