Description
Forthcoming from an estate sale of impeccably maintained cars, this beautiful example exited a Sussex barn & started instantly with a fresh battery. Since then 100 or so miles have been covered with excellent performance & wonderful handling.
Bills coming with the machine attest to a copiously detailed engine rebuild & painstaking restoration throughout several ownerships. For those who are not engine cranking enthusiasts, the starter motor gives a rewardingly brisk turnover. The driver must turn on the fuel, retard the ignition & the car starts instantly on the first crank.
A lot of period history comes with the car which is well worth reading. It resided in Scotland for some years in the 1950's prior to moving south. In the last two decades she has covered some 5000 miles mostly on the back roads of Kent, Sussex & Essex.
Driving this car is a fun & racy experience. This car even has a second (spare) & very thin seat set, which allows for bigger drivers. It's a three speed & easily mastered gear box with reverse where one usually finds 4th. The throttle is on these cars is on the steering wheel, but it isn't difficult to master.
In their day these cars were notably high performance, being able to outdo most other cars on the road. Performance to this day does not disappoint with lively acceleration from the Plumstead built engine, & illegal speeds quickly attained. Docile around town, but the exhaust changes to a head turning bark under full throttle.
The car is finished in an agreeable bright red with black seats. There is useful storage behind the seat back which is also where the battery cut off is found. The rear beetle back lid also flips up, to allow more space for light luggage & hand tools, for which there are also trays under the seats.
The Matchless V twin up front runs beautifully with delightfully exposed rockers chattering away. Steering is light & direct, & suspension supple, giving the car good handling. Nevertheless, it is no use trying to avoid potholes, as if you miss one with the front wheels, you are sure to hit it with the back one! A specially made towing A frame comes with & new green tonneau are included in the sale.
At 90 years of age this beautifully fit example is a true survivor. It is only through the devoted & fastidious efforts of prior owners that she is in such mechanically unprecedented repair, & through that unskimping investment is ready for touring today. Reasonable & firm offers considered.
