Description
This motorcycle is Lot 233 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 Saturday 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 233
1929 Morgan-JAP Aero Three-wheeler
Registration no. UL 8396
Frame no. 1313A and 888
Engine no. KTW/ C 16702/ S
An older restoration
Present ownership since 2003
Mostly kept in storage
Good restored condition
Requires recommissioning
Its superior power-to-weight ratio enabled H F S Morgan's humble, three-wheeled cyclecar to outperform many a larger engined four-wheeler, and its maker was not slow to capitalise on his creation's competition potential. A Gold Medal in the 1911 London-Exeter-London Reliability Trial with Morgan himself driving was followed by victory in the inaugural cyclecar race at Brooklands the following year, Harry Martin taking the chequered flag three minutes ahead of the field. Racetrack successes led directly to road-going spin-off in the form of the Grand Prix model, introduced for 1914. The first Aero sports model, inspired by the Grand Prix, followed immediately after WWI. Subsequent technological developments included the fitting of front brakes, operated by hand lever, from 1924 and the adoption of a new chassis - the M-type - on the new Super Sports Aero model in 1928. This new chassis was some 2½" lower than its predecessor and undoubtedly helped Morgans trounce the opposition at the New Cyclecar Club's meeting at Brooklands later that year.
Progressively developed, the ever-popular Aero remained a fixture of the Morgan range until 1932 when the original two-speed chain transmission began to be phased out in favour of a conventional three-speeds-plus-reverse gearbox. At the same time the model name was abbreviated to simply 'Super Sports', the old two-speed transmission disappearing soon after.
Power units from various suppliers were used in the Aero over the years, and this example is powered by a 1, 124cc sidevalve v-twin sourced from J A Prestwich. Believed restored by a previous owner, 'UL 8396' was in good condition when purchased by the current vendor in 2003 and has been used on the road, albeit stored for most of the time. The Morgan is presented in good restored condition but following a period of inactivity will require sympathetic recommissioning and the usual safety checks before returning the road. Accompanying paperwork consists of a V5C document, SORN, and a DVLA MoT check (last MoT expired in July 2012).
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.
