Description
This motorcycle is Lot 218 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 218
1934 New Imperial 350cc Grand Prix Model
Registration no. AXW 510
Frame no. 93/ 22617/ TT
Engine no. 34/ 31967/ 60
Single family ownership since at least 1940
Last taxed/ used on the road in 1957
Last run a couple of months prior to consignment
Offered for sale on the open market for the first time in over 80 years
After an abortive attempt in 1901, New Imperial commenced series production of motorcycles in 1910. By 1913 the fledgling firm was contesting the Isle of Man TT races, entering a trio of 500s in the Senior event, none of which finished. This disappointment and the intervention of WWI delayed New Imperial's next appearance until 1921, but what an historic return it would be. At that time there was no separate Lightweight TT race (the 250s would not have their own separate Lightweight TT race until 1922); instead a trophy was awarded for 250cc machines entered in the Junior (350cc) event, the first such award having been made in 1920 when Levis secured a resounding victory, taking the first three places. New Imperial entered five JAP-engined 250s in the 1921 Junior and although four retired, Douglas Prentice's went on to win the class at an average speed of 44. 82mph, Bert Kershaw's having set the fastest lap.
New recruit Bert Le Vack came close to victory in the Junior event the following year and finished second in the Lightweight race in 1923, and then the Twemlow brothers' 1924 Junior/ Lightweight TT double - Ken winning the former, Eddie the latter - plus Eddie's repeated Lightweight victory in 1925, confirmed New Imperial as one of the dominant forces in 250 racing in the Vintage years. New Imperial had switched from JAP to engines of its own manufacture by the decade's end, and although the 1930s brought fewer success in the Isle of Man TT, Bob Foster's 1936 Lightweight TT win was notable as the last achieved by a British-made '250' until Eddie Laycock's 1987 Junior TT victory riding an EMC.
This New Imperial Grand Prix '350' is well known to The New Imperial Owner's Association. The records show engine '31967' to be that of a 350cc Grand Prix, a batch of nine of which was completed on 27th February 1934 (the factory records only show engine numbers). The frame number is much earlier, but that is as would be expected; it is probably an original pairing of frame and engine. The frame would have been an unused example because in September 1933, in a fit of enthusiasm, New Imperial made a large number of GP frames. They all had the suffix 'TT' rather than '50' or '60'. These frames were then used well into 1934. There is no record of the original buyer.
This New Imperial Grand Prix model has been owned by the vendor's late father - a Medway farmer., motorcycle enthusiast and collector - since at least 1940. It was the last machine he bought before the war and was purchased when he was aged 21 for £25 from Frank Mires Motorcycles in Chatham, Kent. It was first registered on 23rd March 1934 in London. The New Imp was used for light competition and was last taxed/ used on the road in 1957, at which point it was stored in the barn on the family farm and only brought out for special occasions. At some point after being 'retired' it was lightly restored, carefully maintaining the patina. Unfortunately, the machine was stolen in 1992: an article in a local newspaper of the time describes the New Imperial as being of great sentimental value (see file). With the help of The New Imperial Owner's Association it was successfully recovered in 2019 and returned to the family in the same condition, bar a replacement saddle.
The machine is offered with a continuation buff logbook from 1945 and old/ current V5/ V5C documents. Also contained in the history file are images of the vendor's father with his beloved New Imperial in the 1990s, as well as some at the family home taken shortly after he purchased the machine (fitted with a Brooklands Can in one image and in another with a high-level exhaust). The machine is offered in need of recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Last run a couple of months prior to consignment, it is offered for sale on the open market for the first time in over 84 years and represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a highly sought-after 'Grand Prix' New Imperial.
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. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
