Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1959 Heinkel Tourist 175 103 A-1
Extremely original
Estimate
£2, 000 - £3, 000
Registration No: WXW 859
Frame No: 185394
CC: 175
MOT: Exempt
One previous owner from new
British registered from new with buff log book
Full documented history from new
Multiple magazine and journal featured scooter
Large Heinkel and Tourist trove of information supplied
The Heinkel Tourist was launched in 1953 by German aircraft manufacturer Heinkel Flugzeugwerke to appeal to the luxury market of high end scooter riders. It was known in England as the ‘Rolls Royce of scooters’ and in the USA as the ‘Cadillac of scooters’. High praise indeed in the crowded 1950’s scooter market and despite the high price for the machines over 100, 000 were sold up until the end of 1965 when production ceased. Starting with the 1953 model 101 A0 with a 149cc engine on 8 inch wheels numerous improvements were made through five upgraded versions until the 175cc 103 A2. Under the steel body panels there is a tubular frame onto which the 4 stroke engine is mounted. Electrics are 12volt and it has electric start which was was introduced in 1955.
This original example was registered new on April 21st 1959 by motorcycle dealers Stanley Raper & Sons in Battersea London. It appears not to have found an owner until January 1961 when an Alexander Staig who is the only known private owner, appears on the log book. There are photographs included in the file of Mr Staig with the scooter back in the day. Our vendor has owned the scooter for some considerable time and it was featured in a major article in ‘Classic Scooterist’ in October 2019, it has also featured in several club journals. He has had it stored unused for some time and feels now is the time to let it go. In the time of ownership the vendor has amassed quite a library of useful and informative documents. The lot also comes with a memory stick of all relevant images. Also included in the lot are: An original owners manual for 103 A-1, numerous Heinkel Club of Germany journals, numerous Heinkel and Trojan club Journals, a copy of the Heinkel Tourist workshop manual and a copy of the parts catalogue and pictures of the original owner, copies of the Classic scooterist magazine and journals and other related ephemera.
On inspection the scooter appears complete and the original indicators are included in the spare parts supplied. It is showing 23816 miles believed genuine. The original fuel information transfers are visible inside the leg shield. All keys are present for seat lock, steering lock and ignition starter. The lot comes with spare parts as photographed including original and spare indicators, original GB and RAC badges as seen on the original photographs, a Puma side mirror, spare keys, hand grips and other useful parts. We were unable to see the scooter running but are informed by the vendor that he was sure it would start with new batteries.
