LOT 220
Property of a deceased's estate 1925 Matchless 976cc Model M/3 Motorcycle Combination Registration no. FN 6768 Frame no. 1125 Engine no. KT/M 32683/Z
Sold for £11,500 inc. premium
Lot 220
Property of a deceased's estate,1925 Matchless 976cc Model M/3 Motorcycle CombinationRegistration no. FN 6768 Frame no. 1125 Engine no. KT/M 32683/Z
The December Sale Collector's Motor Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia|7 December 2016, 14:00 GMT|London, Olympia
Property of a deceased's estate
1925 Matchless 976cc Model M/3 Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. FN 6768
Frame no. 1125
Engine no. KT/M 32683/Z
1925 Matchless 976cc Model M/3 Motorcycle Combination
Registration no. FN 6768
Frame no. 1125
Engine no. KT/M 32683/Z
• An earlier restoration
• Sidecar believed ex-RAC
• Present ownership for over 30 years
Unlike the vast majority of Britain's motorcycle manufacturers, which were located in the Birmingham and Coventry areas, Matchless were based in Plumstead, South London. The name 'Matchless' first appeared in the 1890s on cycles manufactured by H H Collier, whose sons Charlie and Harry would later join him in the business.
The firm's first - experimental - motorcycle appeared in 1899 and its first production model in 1902. These early Matchlesses were JAP powered, but in 1912 the firm introduced a 500cc single of its own design. Nevertheless, within a short time it had gone, along with all the other singles, and for the next several years Matchless built only v-twins. Of the latter, the MAG-powered Model 8B was particularly well specified, being equipped with a kick-starter, three-speed countershaft gearbox, fully enclosed chain drive and rear hub brake. For 1915 an 8B/2 version featuring detachable wheels was offered. When civilian production recommenced after WWI, the famous Model H was an early addition to the range. A development of the 8B/2, the Model H was unusual in being offered as a motorcycle combination only, with integral sidecar chassis, sprung sidecar wheel, swinging-arm rear suspension, and electric lighting. It was offered alongside two rigid-framed combinations: the 976cc JAP-powered M/3 and 994cc MAG-powered M/4, the machine offered here being an example of the former.
An earlier restoration, this Model M/3 combination features a tradesman's 'box' sidecar rather than the more usual passenger-carrying 'chair'. The sidecar is believed to be a Watsonian, and has an aluminium body and glassfibre lid. There is a letter on file (dated 1994) regarding a c.1949 RAC sidecar as fitted to Royal Enfield, which is believed to refer to the sidecar currently attached to this Matchless. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style RF60 logbook and an old style V5, while the machine also comes with a detached acetylene lamp/generator and bulb horn.
• Sidecar believed ex-RAC
• Present ownership for over 30 years
Unlike the vast majority of Britain's motorcycle manufacturers, which were located in the Birmingham and Coventry areas, Matchless were based in Plumstead, South London. The name 'Matchless' first appeared in the 1890s on cycles manufactured by H H Collier, whose sons Charlie and Harry would later join him in the business.
The firm's first - experimental - motorcycle appeared in 1899 and its first production model in 1902. These early Matchlesses were JAP powered, but in 1912 the firm introduced a 500cc single of its own design. Nevertheless, within a short time it had gone, along with all the other singles, and for the next several years Matchless built only v-twins. Of the latter, the MAG-powered Model 8B was particularly well specified, being equipped with a kick-starter, three-speed countershaft gearbox, fully enclosed chain drive and rear hub brake. For 1915 an 8B/2 version featuring detachable wheels was offered. When civilian production recommenced after WWI, the famous Model H was an early addition to the range. A development of the 8B/2, the Model H was unusual in being offered as a motorcycle combination only, with integral sidecar chassis, sprung sidecar wheel, swinging-arm rear suspension, and electric lighting. It was offered alongside two rigid-framed combinations: the 976cc JAP-powered M/3 and 994cc MAG-powered M/4, the machine offered here being an example of the former.
An earlier restoration, this Model M/3 combination features a tradesman's 'box' sidecar rather than the more usual passenger-carrying 'chair'. The sidecar is believed to be a Watsonian, and has an aluminium body and glassfibre lid. There is a letter on file (dated 1994) regarding a c.1949 RAC sidecar as fitted to Royal Enfield, which is believed to refer to the sidecar currently attached to this Matchless. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style RF60 logbook and an old style V5, while the machine also comes with a detached acetylene lamp/generator and bulb horn.
Saleroom notices
We are advised by the VMCC matchless pre-war marque specialist that the machine may actually be a c.1924 Matchless Model M2. The factory records do not survive. Accordingly, prospective bidders should satisfy themselves as to the model and date of manufacture prior to bidding. There is a frame number beneath the saddle, reading 825.
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