c.1929 Scott 596cc 'TT Replica' (see text)

Registration no. SV 8279 Frame no. 2773 Engine no. PY3385

• Frame believed to be TT Replica
• 1930 Powerplus engine
• Offered for restoration

Bradford-born inventor Alfred Angas Scott's experiments with two-stroke motorcycle engines began in the closing years of the 19th Century, leading to the grant of a patent in 1904. Scott's original design for a vertical twin two-stroke engine incorporated the central flywheel with 180-degree overhung cranks and slim connecting rods that would characterise his products from then onwards. One of its chief advantages was close spacing to the cylinder axes and main bearings, thus virtually eliminating the vibratory rocking couple hitherto associated with vertical twins. The first complete Scott motorcycle prototype followed in 1908, its twin-cylinder engine, two-speed foot-change gear and all-chain drive marking it out as an exceptionally advanced design for its day.

Like most of their rivals, Scott recognised the value of publicity gained from success on the racetrack - and particularly at the Isle of Man TT - and first entered the latter event in 1909, becoming the first two-stroke to start in a Tourist Trophy race. Back-to-back victories in the 1912 and 1913 Senior events would turn out to be the highlights of the firm's TT record, though Harry Langman came close again in 1922 and 1924, finishing third and second respectively. The 1924 works bikes had featured 'square' engines of 68.25mm bore & stroke (although it is believed Langman and Clarie Wood reverted to the longstroke engine for the 1924 Senior), and this new 498cc unit became available in the Super Squirrel introduced later in the year.

First introduced towards the end of the 1928 season, the TT model was a replica of the bike ridden to 3rd place in that year's Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Senior race by Tommy Hatch. 'Designed essentially for the speedman,' according to the 1929 catalogue, the TT Replica used Scott's long-stroke engine fitted with cylinder wall lubrication (although SV 8279 appears to feature a replacement barrel as there are no bosses present to supply cylinder wall lubrication), and was available in both 498cc and 596cc capacities.

First registered as 'GU 7930' in 1929, but now on an age-related plate, this Scott is believed to consist of a modified TT Replica frame and a later Powerplus engine dating from 1930. Little is known about the history of this motorcycle, which was inherited by the previous owner and purchased from him by the current vendor in May 2013 (receipt on file). Offered for restoration, the machine comes with a V5C document and is sold strictly as viewed.