Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 25th March from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 26th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1964 DMW Deemster 250 Police
Extremely rare scooter
Registration No: MRE 3B
Frame No: PJ 175
MOT: Exempt
Good provenance
No reserve. From a diseased estate
In excellent apparent condition with V5C
Dawson’s Motors Wolverhampton commenced production of a range of Villiers-powered lightweights in 1950 in Sedgely. The firm built its first competition models in 1952 and introduced a scrambler a couple of years later. A scooter, the 98cc Bambi, had been added to the range by 1960, but DMW’s next offering in this category would be more unusual. First seen in 1961, the Deemster was intended to combine the riding position and handling characteristics of a conventional motorcycle with scooter-type weather protection and enclosure. The Deemster’s twin-cylinder Villiers 250cc 2T engine was located centrally, in the motorcycle position, while the interchangeable wheels were 12” in diameter. Suspension was by leading-link fork at the front, with rubber ‘spring’ and single hydraulic damper, and by swinging arm at the rear. The frame was made up from a combination of round and square-section tubing to which a large box fabricated box was attached, supporting the seat and rear dampers while providing sufficient luggage space to accommodate two crash helmets. With its tall screen, twin headlamps, generously sized leg shields and voluminous front mudguard, the Deemster was certainly eye-catching. Only 350 were produced and a police version proved the bulk of these sales with around 250 sold to police fleets.
With a full known history as follows. Staffordshire Police purchased 8 of these machines registered as MRE 1B through to MRE 8B. The original rider assigned to the scooter was Constable Frederick Fox. We have learned that Fred was so attached to the machine that when it was retired from service he bought it and first registration is stated as 1st August 1964. This can be confirmed by the old blue log book which is supplied with the lot. He later donated it to the Staffordshire Police museum which released it onto the market where it was purchased by our vendor in 2002 who never used it.
The scooter is complete and appears to be in exceptionally good original condition including paint having been stored with a coating of grease which has preserved the scooter including all rubbers. No attempt was made to start the scooter but we observed that the engine is freely turning. The scooter with current V5C is also supplied with original tools, users handbooks and workshop manual for the Villers engine.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
