A superb
and rare photo of the magnificent roadracer of Ernie
Thomas,
photographed in the paddock of the 1937 Isle of Man T.T. races.
It is a
machine with an interesting history. Velocette were prepared during the winter
of 1935-36 these were put in place. They featured a twin-camshaft 350 (see photo) and a
completely new single-cam 500, but importantly the works machines featured swinging
arm rear suspension with oleomatic dampers. Their design set the pattern that
continues to this day.
Velocette is the
name given to motorcycles that were made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green,
Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham,
Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling far fewer hand-built
motorcycles than the giant BSA, Norton or Triumph concerns. Renowned for the
quality of its products, the company was 'always in the picture' in
international motorcycle racing, from the mid-1920s through the 1950s,
culminating in two world championship titles (1949–1950 350 cc) and its
legendary and still-unbeaten 24 hours at 100 mph (161 km/h) record.
Veloce, while small, was a great technical innovator and many of its patented
designs are commonplace on motorcycles today, including the positive-stop foot
shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. The company was
founded by John Goodman (born Johannes Gütgemann and later known as John Taylor
before formally changing his name to Goodman) and William Gue, as "Taylor,
Gue Ltd." in 1905. Its first motorcycle was the Veloce. Later that year,
John Taylor set up Veloce Limited, to produce cycles and related products and
services. Veloce Ltd initially produced four-stroke motorcycles. The first
two-stroke, built in 1913, was called a Velocette. This name was used for all
subsequent models. He was joined in 1916 by his sons Percy and Eugene Goodman.
Between 1913 and 1925, Veloce only produced expensive, high-quality two-stroke
motorcycles of (nominally) 250 cc, which gained an excellent reputation,
and which were entered in competitions, such as the Isle of Man TT, with some
success. The single-cylinder machines had many advanced features, such as a
throttle-controlled oil pump, which set them apart from other manufacturers'
products. The factory gradually developed this machine from the 'A' series and
variants (A, AC2 - coil ignition, two-speed gearbox, AC3 - three speed gearbox,
etc.), then the 'H' series, the model U and variants, culminating in the model
GTP in 1930, which was produced until 1946. The GTP was a reliable lightweight
motorcycle with good steering and power delivery. In the early 1920s, Veloce
realized that in order to grow as a company, it needed a new machine of
advanced specification and developed an overhead camshaft (OHC) 350 cc engine, which became known as the
'K' series, introduced in 1925. After a year of teething troubles with this new
design, Veloce entered the model KTT into racing events such as the Isle of Man
TT and Brooklands races, and the reliability and sweet running qualities of
their new engine led to a long string of racing successes. The roadster models
developed from this initial model K were the Velocette KSS
(super sports), KTS (touring sports), KTP (twin exhaust ports), KN (normal),
and a few variations. The OHC
engine series continued for roadsters until 1948, when the final KSS versions were produced, with rigid frames and
Dowty air-sprung telescopic forks. Accurate valve timing was accomplished
through the pioneering use of stroboscopic lamps (see timing light). The 'K'
series showed an excellent turn of speed and reliability and soon the factory
developed racing models to compete in the Isle of Man TT. In 1933, the company
decided to introduce a new line of overhead valve (OHV) machines, in order to
cut production costs and make a more affordable motorcycle. The K series was
expensive to produce, requiring selective hand assembly of the shaft-and-bevel
camshaft drive; it was determined that a simpler OHV design would be quicker to
build and require less skilled labour to assemble. The first of these new
machines was the MOV, using a 250 cc engine of 'square' dimensions
(68 mm bore x 68 mm stroke). It was an immediate sales success,
having lively performance for the time (78 mph), and proved a reliable
machine with excellent road manners. From this machine, by lengthening the
stroke of the crankshaft, the Velocette MAC
350 cc was introduced in 1934. It proved even more popular than the MOV,
and became a real money spinner for the company, bringing much needed capital
into the firm. In 1935 an entirely new machine was introduced, based on the two
previous OHV models, the Velocette MSS
of 500 cc. A new, heavier frame was utilized with the intention that the
machine could serve as a sidecar hauler. This new frame was developed from the
mkV KTT racing machine, and was shared with the KSS
MKII of 1936-48. The MSS also
proved very popular and profitable for Veloce. After the Second World War, the
company sought to capture what it saw as a developing need for personal
transport and created (with the help of Phil Irving of Vincent fame) the model
LE. This was a 192 cc watercooled flat twin with side-valves, a pressed
steel frame and telescopic forks and swingarm. It was sophisticated and
expensive. Unfortunately it proved less successful than the firm had
anticipated and although it became Veloce's best selling model ever, the
massive tooling costs for this all-new machine were barely recouped. It did see
widespread adoption by British police forces for urban patrol. At the time
Metropolitan Police Officers on foot patrol were required to salute Sergeants
and Inspectors. With the introduction of the Velocette LE, this became
dangerous, requiring the officer to take his hand off the handle bars, and so
the rider was to allowed to show his respect with a smart inclination of his
head, or to put it another way, to give a smart nod and the bikes became known
as 'Noddy Bikes'. At the 1947 TT, the company won the first four places in the
Junior race, and in 1950 they were the 350cc World Champions. In 1960,
Velocette introduced the Viceroy, a very unusual 250 cc opposed twin
two-stroke scooter. Unique to the Viceroy was the front mounted twin-cylinder
engine, and the fuel tank mounted under the front legshield. The engine itself
was extremely compact, and connected to the rear-mounted clutch and
transmission by a drive shaft from the engine-mounted flywheel. With electric
start, 12 volt electrics, a very low centre of gravity, power over
15 hp and a reported comfortable cruising speed of 65 MPH (105 km/h), performance, handling and
features of the Viceroy were first class. Unfortunately the scooter came as
market forces and rider preferences were changing, and the Viceroy was not a
sales success. The late 1960s were the last years of production for Velocette
motorcycles, production for the Velocette Viper and Vogue ending in 1968,
"Special", Scrambler and Endurance in 1969, and MSS Venom and Velocette Thruxton in 1970. Veloce
Ltd. closed in February 1971.
This is
a very nice and very rare non period photo
that reflects a wonderful era of 1930s motorcycle history in wonderful way. This is your rare chance to
own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca.
8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 25.4 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for
framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.