Description
LOT 503
Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, c. 1930 Wallis-Blackburn OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle
Engine no. GCR 1482
THE AUTUMN STAFFORD SALE - THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS SHOW
16 October 2022, 10:00 BST
Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
£10, 000 - £15, 000
Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection
c. 1930 Wallis-Blackburn OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle
Engine no. GCR 1482
• An example of the first purpose built dirt track frame
• Possibly the only Blackburn engined example in existence
• Very rare survivor from the earliest days of cinder track racing
• Featured in The Classic MotorCycle July 1986 edition in an article written by Jeff Clew
George Wallis's contribution to the dirt track/ speedway phenomenon tends to be overshadowed by the names of Douglas and Rudge in particular but, whereas these manufacturers and many others joining the burgeoning sport produced machines derived and developed from standard factory production parts, George Wallis produced the first purpose-built dirt track frame in Britain.
George Wallis was born in 1903 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the Wallis family soon moving to Sheffield where George grew up. His early life was rather chequered. He started work as an apprentice with the Phoenix Car Company which soon folded. He then moved on to start his own business selling and repairing motorcycle which soon folded as well. Moving south he joined the famous Brooklands racing driver and record breaker Parry Thomas but did not stay very long before using this illustrious name to approach the boss of Harley Davidson with the confidence to ask to be manager of their British racing team. Again, this did not work out as Harley Davidson wanted Wallis to join their headquarters in Milwaukee. Not satisfied with this George decided to strike out on his own again in 1926 using his ingenuity by designing a hub steering system for motorcycles.
Although a promising start with plenty of interest his investors were not so confident and again another venture flopped. Not down for long, fortuitously in 1928 Wallis was appointed manager of the Australian speedway team. Immediately fascinated by the new sport and with Douglas in the ascendancy, George with his ingenuity could see that the shorter lighter single cylinder machines had a lot of potential. He must have been impressed with the American Art Pechar's immediate success with his Indian (see Lot 509) as well as the Harley Peashooters.
By March 1929 Wallis had his first bespoke track machine ready for test. The frame based very much on the Harley but the wheelbase shortened and the engine moved forward resulting in the steeply curved down tube. The final notable feature was a steeper head angle at 71 degrees, very close to the ideal used in modern speedway. In 1929 the JAP engine was a year away, not ready for even limited production until the latter part of 1931. Casting around for a likey power plant a Blackburn seemed to be a likely choice. The workmanship of his motorcycle was noted as exceptional, the frame skilfully hand crafted further described simply and unequivocally as "beautiful".
For the first test, however, an early 344cc JAP engine was installed and even with this, Frank Arthur took the Wallis for a few laps of the White City track. Arthur was very impressed saying that he could almost slide the machine "hands off". Other experienced riders circulating on the machine, Colin Watson and Ron Johnson, could only agree.
Wallis supplied and sold his machines and by 1931 the Wallis now with JAP engine became a defining dirt track model. Continuing his rather unpredictable business career he became engineer to first Crystal Palace Speedway then moving on to Stamford Bridge and finally Plymouth all those tracks closing down in succession. In 1930 he finally teamed up with Comerfords. Teddy Comerford had founded his eponymous company in 1924 with the sale and service of motorcycles, Comerfords of course becoming a serious player in the motorcycle world with a strong competition allegiance. With Comerfords, Wallis machines found huge success, the Comerford Wallis sold in very large numbers variously estimated at between three hundred and maybe over a thousand. Eventually the concession moved to Victor Martin where, added to the Victor Martin range it remained in production throughout the 1930s.
This very early Wallis with the rare Blackburn engine fitted to only the very first Wallis frames was found in Newcastle and after passing through several hands, including former speedway riders Ken Middleditch and Reg Luckhurst, it was acquired by Richard Forshaw in the early 1980s. In 1985 Richard took it to a Brooklands reunion and also a Rudge Enthusiasts Club Rally. At the time the Wallis was in an incomplete state. The engine was complete and soon restored but the countershaft had to be remanufactured. The correct 28in tyres were sourced but only suitable for display, the machine finally completed and brought together as it is presented today.
Offered with a copy of a Jeff Clew article from the July 1986 edition of The Classic MotorCycle this Wallis remains a very rare survivor from the earliest days of cinder track racing. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
Key not required
Footnotes
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.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Memorabilia and Spares
For Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 1-285) the Buyers Premium is 27. 5% on the first £20, 000 of the hammer price; 26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20, 000 up to and including £700, 000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700, 000 up to and including £4, 500, 000 and 14. 5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4, 500, 000.
Motorcycles
For Motorcycles (Lots 301-336 & 401-651) the Buyers Premium will be 15% on the first £500, 000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
Buyers attention is drawn to Condition 7 of the Notice to Bidders. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
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