Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 25th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 26th March from 9am
1939 Velocette MAC
No Reserve
Registration No: DDG 473
Frame No: MD9816
MOT: Exempt
Ownership history from new
Registered in Gloucestershire on the 17th May 1939
A great deal of paperwork and receipts
Current V5C and 2 continuation logbooks
No Reserve
Velocette is the brand name of motorcycles made by Veloce Ltd in Hall Green, Birmingham between 1905 and 1971. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a family-owned firm selling almost as many hand-built motorcycles during its lifetime as the mass-produced machines from the likes of Triumph and Norton in the wartime era. Veloce, while small, was a great technical innovator and many of its patented designs are commonplace on motorcycles today including the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. Renowned for the quality of its products, the company was 'always in the picture' in international motorcycle racing from the mid-1920s through to the 1950s, culminating in two 350cc world championship titles and its legendary and still-unbeaten record of averaging over 100mph for 24 hours on a 500cc single cylinder machine. This was achieved on a Venom in 1961, cementing its reputation as one of the best sports bikes of its day.
On offer is a Velocette MAC registered in Gloucestershire on 17th May 1939 and purchased new by a Mr Bliss from Newent. It subsequently changed hands to Mr Evans in September 1947, who kept it for a few years before passing it onto Mr Powell in late 1951. Mr Evans purchased the Velocette back from Mr Powell and kept it until approximately 2021. During his ownership, Mr Evans restored the Velocette over many years, however, sadly never completed it and so it was sent to auction. The current vendor purchased the MAC from the auction to do the last few bits, but due to other commitments, this never happened. Recommissioning and parts to be sourced, this would make it a worthy project to finish. It comes complete with current V5C, 2 old logbooks and many receipts for parts in the 1940s and '50s and as viewed.
