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
1950 C. C. Charles Chamberlain
No Reserve
Registration No: EFR 346
Frame No: 950
MOT: Exempt
Part of a private collection for many years
A very rare machine today and maybe a one-off
Understood to have a 348cc side valve Blackburne single-cylinder engine and a Moss gearbox
Demand for motorised transport boomed after World War One which was just as well as given that numerous firms, freed from the demands of armaments production, found themselves with spare capacity. An abundance of proprietary frames, engines and gearboxes prompted many to try their luck at motorcycle manufacture. Derived from the initials of its founder, Charles Chamberlain, C. C. of Blackpool operated from 1921 to 1924. Utilising Villiers and Blackburne engines ranging in size from 147cc to 996cc, most of its models featured chain-cum-belt transmission (though, some of the smaller engined machines were single-speed). Never troubling the mainstream, C. C. soon faded into obscurity.
Thought to perhaps be the marque’s sole survivor, Frame Number 950 was apparently issued with the Blackpool number plate ‘EFR 346’ on April 17th 1950. However, it may well have been road registered prior to then. The accompanying old-style V5C Registration Document lists the cubic capacity as 550cc but we think it is more likely that the engine is a 348cc Blackburne sidevalve unit. The subject of an older restoration, the C. C. has formed part of a private collection for many years. Now in need of recommissioning, this ‘rare as hen’s teeth’ Vintage motorcycle is a reminder of a time when the British motorcycling industry was at its most prolific.
** 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.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
