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
1927 Chater-Lea 350cc Super Sports
No Reserve
Registration No: BS 9521
Frame No: 681
MOT: Exempt
Fitted with the OHV Blackburne Class A engine
Recipient of a high-quality older restoration
Minimal use since being road-registered in 2005
The Road and Race Collection
Founded in 1890 to make bicycles, Chater-Lea became one of the big names in motorcycling from 1900 and into the vintage age, although it gradually lost out to competition from Triumph, BSA, Norton et al. Largely reliant upon proprietary engines from Blackburne, JAP, MAG and Villiers, Chater-Lea’s final model was a 550cc Blackburne-engined sidecar combination, and when Blackburne stopped making engines in 1937, Chater-Lea stopped making motorcycles. The 1927 350cc Super Sports was a natty OHV model priced at £68 with a choice of the Blackburne Class A or JAP Standard engines. Specifying an acetylene head lamp, bulb horn and license holder raised the price to £70, while for £75 one received front and rear ML Maglita electric lighting plus the other accessories. A JAP Sports engine was also available, and increased the respective prices by £4.
This very rare Blackburne-engined example sports an exquisite older restoration. Although sadly lacking history, it appears to have been restored by 2000, when it was M. O. T.’d. It was not registered until it was bought from Verralls in 2005 by our vendor, a keen collector of unusual and important historic motorcycles. He commissioned some cosmetic refurbishment and light mechanical fettling in order to present it at Brooklands that year, but it has mostly been on static display and will now require recommissioning.
** 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).
