Description
8th Dec, 2024 10:00
The December 2024 Auction
1932 Terrot Type OLG
Very rare UK registered machine
Estimate
£2, 800 - £3, 500
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: KXS 857
Frame: 132327
Odometer: N/ A
MOT: Exempt
UK registered
V5
Commissioned for use
Starts, runs and rides
Beautiful machine
The modest workshops built in 1887 by Charles Terrot on the current location of the factory (rue André-Colomban à Dijon) were first used in the construction of knitting machines. Bicycle manufacturing began in 1900 and new factory buildings were created. New products were added to the catalogue: in 1899 quadricycles after De Dion, in 1900 two-seater voiturettes, and in 1902 motorcycles. Automobiles were built from 1910 to 1914. By this time, the marque was very well known.
Shortly after the end of the 1914-1918 war the company was confiscated by the state for suspected collusion with the enemy. Taken over in 1921 as a public limited company by a group of industrialists headed by Alfred Vurpillot (CEO from 1921 to 1933), the Terrot business boomed. Due to the firm's visionary administration and the technical prowess of Vurpillot's son Jean, the business developed rapidly. In 1922 Terrot formed a partnership with Magnat-Debon. By 1928 Terrot was the foremost French manufacturer of motorcycles.
In 1934 Edmond Padovani of Corsica (who later became their most famous designer) joined Terrot as a rider. At this time the ramifications of the 1929 stock market crash were increasingly evident and by 1936 production fell despite diversification in prams (1934) and sidecars (in 1938).
This 1932 machine is showing as brought in to the UK in 1969 and was bought by the current owner in 2019 having spent time as a museum piece or static display. It was commissioned by the current owner for road use. The bike has had a brand new AMAL carb fitted, and lights converted for use. The bike has been fitted with a twist throttle for ease of use, however, the original hand throttle is still fitted and can be easily reintroduced.
