Highlights
- A rare upright cylinder example, produced for 1929 only before the "sloper" engine was introduced
- Highly original and unrestored, retaining elements of its factory Ivory paintwork
- First registered keeper for nearly 68 years
- Accompanied by a substantial paperwork archive including the original registration document
- Has completed the Banbury Run on a number of occasions
The Appeal
The Calthorpe Ivory was launched in 1929 as a range-topping sports model from the Birmingham-based manufacturer, featuring a twin port head, domed racing piston, and Calthorpe's own proprietary 348cc overhead valve engine. The upright cylinder configuration was produced for just one year before being superseded by a "sloper" layout for 1930, making this particular variant genuinely scarce.
This example is all the more appealing for its unrestored originality. Traces of the eponymous Ivory paintwork survive on the mudguards and oil tank, while the chrome petrol tank bears the outline of the Calthorpe logo where paint once protected the surface beneath. Original details abound, from the Bakelite Lucas ignition switch and ammeter to the Bosch horn and knurled steering damper knob engraved with the Calthorpe name.
The provenance is equally compelling. The first registered keeper held the motorcycle from April 1929 until 1997, a remarkable tenure of nearly 68 years. In total, there have been just seven former registered keepers across its 97-year life. A comprehensive paperwork archive accompanies the machine, detailed in the Key Information section below. It has also proven itself on the road, having completed the Banbury Run on multiple occasions. At approximately 145 kgs, it is a manageable and usable vintage motorcycle.
Key Information
- Mileage: no odometer fitted
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- Technical inspection status: MOT exempt as a Historic Vehicle; also VED exempt
- Technical specs: 348cc single-cylinder OHV petrol, three-speed Burman manual gearbox, hand throttle, tank-mounted hand gear-selector
- Paperwork: V5 in the current owner's name, original registration document, previous MOTs, period sales brochure and instruction book, handwritten letter from a previous owner, press articles, and DVLA copy records from earlier ownership periods
The Detail
- Unrestored throughout, with elements of original Ivory paintwork retained on the mudguards and oil tank
- Chrome petrol tank exhibits heavy surface corrosion in places but is reported to be structurally sound
- Original rubber knee pads inscribed with the Calthorpe name remain in place
- Original ammeter, Bakelite Lucas ignition switch, and Bosch horn all present
- Handlebar rubbers appear original and are in good used condition
- Knurled steering damper knob deeply engraved with the Calthorpe name
- Exhausts have been replaced with fishtail examples fashioned from AJS parts by a previous owner
- Original Burman gearbox replaced with another Burman three-speed unit from a different model
- Non-standard pillion seat removed by the current owner; mounting holes remain in the rear mudguard
- Spoked wheels have been painted red at some point, which is not the original finish
- Completed the Banbury Run most recently in 2023, reportedly without issue, and the bike is now pioneer plus run eligible also
- There are traces (apart from Calthorpe ivory) blue coach lining conforming with early ivory models
- Vendor says the original Bosch horn makes a very vintage sound 'it’s more of a klaxon than a horn'
- Saddle height of approximately 26 inches with a double spring mounting
- Weight approximately 145 kgs / 320 lbs
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