Description
1931 New Imperial, 246cc OHV. Registration number EF 4903 (see text). Frame number 70/ 5681/ 10B. Engine number 50 20209.
Sold with the R. F. 60A, it is potentially unrestored, it presents very well, and should make an interesting addition to a collection.
New Imperial’s first motorcycle appeared in 1901; it had the engine mounted in front of the handlebars above the front wheel, and the transmission consisted of a leather belt which drove the front wheel. By 1912 a range of three motorcycles was offered, and two years later, in 1914, New Imperial produced their famous Light Tourist model. In 1921 they won the 250 cc class of the TT (rider Doug Prentice), the first of six TT wins by New Imperial; the wins were all in the Lightweight class, except for one Junior victory.
The Company continued to prosper and grow until the depression years of the early 1930s which left them financially weak, even Bob Foster’s win in the 1936 Lightweight TT could not bring in the sales that New Imperial desperately needed; this win was the last time that Great Britain ever won a Lightweight TT.
EF appears to have been off the radar for many years, it is accompanied by a R. F. 60 A from 1952 listing William Guill of Leyburn as the only owner, it is matching frame and engine numbers. It was purchased by our vendor in a local deceased auction covered in coal dust. It is not listed with DVLA.
Sold with the R. F. 60A, it appears unrestored, it presents very well, and should make an interesting addition to a collection.
