Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm
Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: ANK 188GFrame No: VMT914MOT: Exempt
One of around 120 made
Long-term single ownership since 1995
Not used following restoration work in 2016
Formerly associated with big, burbling V-twins, the Indian marque went defunct in 1954, but in 1967 the rights to the name were bought by motorcycle racer, dealer and publisher Floyd Clymer, who envisaged something very different. The Indian Velo 500 was launched in 1969 and blended Velocette 500cc single-cylinder engines from England with lightweight Italjet frame from Italy. A wonderful idea in principle, the project was sadly doomed as Clymer died aged seventy-four in January, 1970, and Velocette would go out of business shortly afterwards. Only around 120 were made.
One of the rarest machines you could hope to find, this Indian Velo was imported and registered in Britain in 1994, and the following year it was sold by well-known Velocette Owners’ Club personality Ray Thurston to its late long-term owner. It saw only sporadic use during its thirty-one years of single ownership, but following a minor accident (and being classified a Category D insurance loss) it received an extensive restoration to factory specification, and was then placed on display in the owner’s house in 2016. It is supplied with the current V5C, old MOTs, and assorted invoices for parts and restoration. Some recommissioning will be required before use.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
