A RARE Velocette motorcycle which was raced in the Isle of Man in the 1930s is to be sold at auction this autumn.
The bike, a 1930 KTT was ridden in the Manx Grand Prix by its first owner Harol Lamacraft, who also raced it at Brooklands. The same bike was also raced at Brooklands by Bert Perryman.
It is one of a collection of three Velocettes owned by motorcyclng authority and prolific author Jeff Clewes, who died in 2009.
During the 1960s it was restored as close as possible to original condition by Jeff, He ompleted the job in 1967 and he rode it in the 1973 rally commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Manx Grand Prix.
He also rode the bike in the Brooklands Revived events.
The bike is being sold by Bonhams auctioneers at their autumn Stafford sale on October 21, and is expected to fetch somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000.
Jeff’s two other bikes included in the sale are a particularly rare 1929 Speedway model, expected to realise £7,000 to £10,000 and a 1957 Valiant, which should fetch £36,000 to £40,000. All the bikes have been exhibited in the Haynes motor museum in Somerset since Jeff’s death.
Velocette made only 21 speedway (dirt-track) models. The 1957 Matchless G45 was delivered new to Australia, spending several years in museums there after its retirement from active competition.
Ben Walker, director of the Bonham’s motorcycle department, said: ‘Brooklands machines rarely come to market so we are truly honoured to be offering not one but two important examples at our autumn Stafford sale.
‘Jeff Clew is sorely missed by all and we look forward to continuing his legacy through the sale of his much-loved and highly-prized Velocettes, one of which has Brooklands and Manx Grand Prix history.’