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LOT 90

The David Plant Collection 1963 Velocette 192cc LE Mark III Registration no. WSS 942 Frame no. 4872/34 (to plaque) Engine no. 200/5730/3 (to plaque)

Sold for £575 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 90

The David Plant Collection, 1963 Velocette 192cc LE Mark III

The David Plant Collection
1963 Velocette 192cc LE Mark III
Registration no. WSS 942
Frame no. 4872/34 (to plaque)
Engine no. 200/5730/3 (to plaque)

Launched in 1948, as the 'motorcycle for everyman', the Velocette LE addressed the criticisms most often levelled at motorcycles - that they were noisy, dirty and needed special clothing to ride - achieving impressive levels of silence, comfort and practicality; attributes that appealed to local police services, which ordered them in considerable quantities. Sadly for the LE, its arrival coincided with the start of the scooter boom; asked to compete against Italian style, Velo's ugly duckling never stood a chance, even after the sidevalve flat twin's performance had been boosted by a capacity increase from 149 to 192cc in 1950 with the introduction of the Mark II.

This LE is an example of the Mark III which was introduced for 1959, its principal improvement being a four-speed, foot-change gearbox with kick-starter. In addition, the speedometer, ammeter and light switch were moved from the leg shield to the headlamp shell.

This LE Mark III was dispatched in April 1963 and used by the Hertfordshire Police. The current engine dates from August 1963 and was fitted to a Lancashire Police example (the original engine would have been numbered '4872/3'). The original registration is believed to have been '816 HUR' according to a letter on file from Dennis Frost.

Last taxed until April 2015, the LE is an older restoration that is now showing signs of age and would benefit from detailed cleaning. The current odometer reading is 1,728 miles and the engine turns over. Offered for recommissioning and/or further restoration, the machine is offered with old/current V5/V5C registration documents; a service manual; SORN confirmation; MoT exemption; copy of owner's instruction book; and sundry invoices for parts purchased by previous owner Mr Ambler.
Offered with key

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance 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.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE
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Saleroom notices

The Vehicle Registration Number is: WSJ 942 Following publication of the sale catalogue, additional information has been received from Dennis Frost, Historian of the LE Velocette Club, regarding the identification of this motorcycle. Mr Frost has confirmed that frame number 4872/34 corresponds to a Velocette LE Mk III that was dispatched to Hertfordshire Police in April 1962 as one of a batch of nine machines supplied to the force. However, having reviewed the motorcycle offered in this sale, he has expressed doubts that the present machine is that Hertfordshire Police motorcycle. According to Mr Frost, the machine as catalogued displays features associated with the earlier LE Mk II model, including a hand-change/hand-start configuration. He further notes that the engine and frame number plate displays inconsistencies, with the "200/" engine number prefix being associated with a Mk II model, while the remainder of the engine number indicates a Mk III engine. Mr Frost has also advised that the style of stamping on the identification plate does not appear consistent with factory-applied Velocette stampings. Prospective purchasers should therefore satisfy themselves as to the motorcycle's identity and provenance. Bonhams now withdraws any implication that the machine can be definitively identified as the Hertfordshire Police motorcycle referenced in previous correspondence.

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