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
1937 BSA Empire Star
Restored by noted collector Tony East
Estimate
£5, 500 - £6, 500
Registration No: EGY 454
Frame No: HB242174
MOT: Exempt
In the long-term ownership of Tony East of the A. R. E. Museum from 1988 to 2023
Beautifully restored by East in 1998
Still handsomely preserved and working well
Advertised as “The Masterpiece of the Industry,” the BSA Empire Star range appeared in 1936, designed by Val Page and developed from the Blue Star. Offered with either a 250, 350 or 500cc overhead-valve single, the Empire Star was well-publicised through endurance runs and competition successes. A 500cc model was ridden for 500 miles round Brooklands at an average of over 70mph, but in 1937 T. T. star Wal Handley won a race at Brooklands and set a fastest lap at 107. 57mph. This earned him a Gold Star award and so gave rise to perhaps BSA’s most exalted model ever. However, the Empire Star was short-lived; war stopped production in 1939, and it was never restarted.
A really beautiful specimen of a pre-war “thumper,” this 1937 B24 (350cc) Empire Star appears to have been discovered or restored in 1981, which is when its D. V. L. A. records begin, but it entered the long-term ownership of Tony East in 1988. East, who ran the A. R. E. (Anthony R. East) Motorcycle Collection on the Isle of Man, performed his own restoration in 1998, and it remained in his museum until its dispersal in 2023. A superbly presented example which is said to be running well, the BSA is supplied with the V5C and restoration invoices.
** 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).
