Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1930 Rex R 147cc
A vintage Swedish lightweight believed unique in Britain
Estimate
£2, 000 - £3, 000
Registration No: BF 8789
Frame No: W11158
MOT: Exempt
A product of the Swedish Rex company using an English Villiers engine
Beautifully restored and possibly unique in Britain
The ideal vintage machine for a young rider
Not to be confused with the pre-war marque from Coventry, a completely different Rex company produced motorcycles in Sweden from 1908, having cut its teeth building bicycles. Early machines used Swiss Motosacoche engines or Rex’s own 2½hp MFR (Maskinfabriken Rex) V-twins, possibly copies of a 310cc NSU design, but by the mid-1920s it was relying entirely on proprietary engines, particularly from Villiers and JAP, which spanned 147 to 746cc. Rex continued to thrive even after the Second World War, when it offered a range of small, proprietary-engined two-stroke machines which ideally suited Swedish needs during the post-war petrol shortage.
Probably unique in Britain, this very sweet 1930 Rex is powered by the Villiers 147cc two-stroke. It has been restored to a beautiful standard, which must be considered particularly impressive due to the lack of similar Rexes to use as reference points, but has no British history prior to 2018, when it was acquired by the present owner, a prolific collector. It has been registered with the DVLA but will require some recommissioning after static display. The simplicity and familiarity of the Villiers two-strokes makes the Rex an ideal machine for a newcomer to the vintage world, and we think it would particularly suit a young rider seeking their first vintage bike. Such a rare machine thoroughly deserves to be used.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
