Descripción
We are pleased to offer this delightful and rather rare AJS 8. 9HP Two Seater.
Best known, of course, as a motorcycle manufacturer AJ Stevens & Co also manufactured wireless sets and commercial vehicles at their Wolverhampton works. They also manufactured car bodies at their Haywood Motor Bodies subsidiary and supplied the coachwork for the Clyno Nine light car. The Clyno company failed in 1929 and the Nine’s designer AJ Booth was recruited by AJS to design their own high quality light car. It has been assumed the AJS was based on the Clyno but there was in fact very little similarity between the two cars.
The new AJS utilised a sturdy cross-braced chassis with semi elliptic springs and friction dampers all round. The 1, 018cc side valve four cylinder engine was supplied by Coventry Climax and produced 24bhp with a rating of 8. 92HP for taxation purposes. Power was transmitted through a three speed gearbox with centre change and there were three body types; open two or four seater and a four door saloon. 12 volt electrics were fitted. Sales commenced in August 1930 but priced between £210 to £240, the AJS was expensive for a car of that type.
AJS collapsed in October 1931 and the design was taken over by Willys-Overland-Crossley Ltd who improved the car with the fitment of a four-speed gearbox. Production lasted until 1933. It is thought that total production of the AJS 9HP amounted to approximately 1, 000 cars only.
The car offered here was first registered on 17 November 1930 in Birmingham. By 1955, according to the buff log book with the car, it became the property of Mrs Beryl Annis of Walberswick who was to retain the car until her death in 1962 and it was taken off the road. It was retained by members of her family until 1989 when it was discovered in Lowestoft and purchased by the last owner who completely restored the car.
Although restored some years ago the AJS still presents extremely well with very good navy blue over black paintwork.
The double duck hood is in excellent order as are the sidescreens which feature adjustable opening rear panels.
The interior is generally good order although the leather on the seat back is in need of a sympathetic repair. The carpets are in very good condition.
The engine feels lively and emits a surprisingly throaty bark for an engine of this size. Oil pressure is steady at 40psi and the ammeter shows the dynamo is charging. A short test drive shows the AJS to have lovely light and accurate steering, good ride and handling as well as decent brakes – all qualities which drew praise from the motoring press of the day. It is fitted with a later four speed gearbox.
There is an interesting history file with the car which includes correspondence from the time the car was in the Annis family as well as lots of receipts from the rebuild. There are also technical drawings, wiring diagram, lubrication chart and a buff log book.
The AJS is a high quality car and a capable performer which will be welcome at all sorts of events including those of the VSCC Light Car Section.
We will happily take an interesting classic vehicle in part exchange.
Thank you for reading.
