Ben Walker
Department Director
1935 Magnat-Debon 748cc VMA 750 v-twin Registration no. 5152 VG 61 Frame no. 198868
Sold for €25,300 inc. premium
Lot 405
1935 Magnat-Debon 748cc VMA 750 v-twin
Registration no. 5152 VG 61 Frame no. 198868
1935 Magnat-Debon 748cc VMA 750 v-twin
Registration no. 5152 VG 61
Frame no. 198868
Registration no. 5152 VG 61
Frame no. 198868
Magnat-Debon were founded in Lyon in 1906 and their Grenoble factory was acquired by the famous Terrot concern in Dijon from 1923 onwards. At first Terrot took the trouble to keep Magnat-Debon as a distinctive make with its own identity, retaining its excellent reputation, even to the extent of encouraging different designs and types of engine which maintained the distinction between the two. Terrot benefited from Magnat-Debon's dealer network and faithful clientele while Magnat-Debon followed the well-known Terrot build quality, which meant that both makes survived the depression, finally ceasing production in the early '60s.
By January 1935, when the VMA 750 was made, the two firms were much closer in design, with this powerful machine being marketed as both the Terrot VA and the Magnat-Debon VMA. A side-valve v-twin of 70mm x 97mm bore and stroke with a four-speed gearbox, the VMA was a compact and extremely good-looking, large-capacity range-leader aimed at a wealthy and enthusiastic clientele who preferred to motor-cycle rather than drive a car.
This example has, as can be seen, received a high-quality restoration to the original specification in black, red and chrome, retaining such period-correct items as the metal panniers and the distinctively-badged cast silencer. This rare and prestigious French motorcycle is offered with a Carte-Grise.
By January 1935, when the VMA 750 was made, the two firms were much closer in design, with this powerful machine being marketed as both the Terrot VA and the Magnat-Debon VMA. A side-valve v-twin of 70mm x 97mm bore and stroke with a four-speed gearbox, the VMA was a compact and extremely good-looking, large-capacity range-leader aimed at a wealthy and enthusiastic clientele who preferred to motor-cycle rather than drive a car.
This example has, as can be seen, received a high-quality restoration to the original specification in black, red and chrome, retaining such period-correct items as the metal panniers and the distinctively-badged cast silencer. This rare and prestigious French motorcycle is offered with a Carte-Grise.
Footnotes
Magnat-Debon 748 cm3 VMA 750 v-twin 1935
Immatriculation : 5152 VG 61
Cadre n° 198868
Magnat-Debon fut fondée à Lyon en 1906 et son usine de Grenoble fut rachetée avec la société par le célèbre constructeur de Dijon, Terrot, en 1923. Initialement, Terrot s'efforça de conserver à Magnat-Debon son identité propre en conservant son excellente réputation, allant même jusqu'à soutenir des concepts et des types de moteur différents afin de maintenir la distinction entre les deux marques. Terrot bénéficia du réseau commercial de Magnat-Debon et de la fidélité de sa clientèle, tandis que Magnat-Debon respectait la qualité de fabrication de Terrot, ce qui permit aux deux marques de survivre à la crise des années 1930 et de produire jusqu'au début des années 1960.
En janvier 1935, date de fabrication de cette VMA 750, les deux firmes avaient rapproché leurs modèles et cette puissante machine fut commercialisée sous les désignations Terrot VA et Magnat-Debon VMA. V-twin latérale de 70 mm d'alésage et 97 mm de course et boîte à quatre rapports, la VMA était un haut de gamme élégant et compact destiné à une clientèle de passionnés aisés préférant rouler en moto plutôt qu'en automobile.
Cet exemplaire a bénéficié, comme on peut le voir, d'une restauration de grande qualité conformément aux spécifications d'origine dans les finitions noir, rouge et chrome en conservant ses accessoires d'époque comme ces sacoches en tôle et son silencieux en alliage léger coulé revêtu d'un bel écusson. Cette rare et prestigieuse moto française est accompagnée de sa carte grise.
Saleroom notices
La machine est vendue avec son certificate d'immatriculation, mais pas la carte grise comme indiquee au catalogue. The machine is offered with a Certificat d'immatriculation, not a Carte Grise as stated in the catalogue.
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