Property of a deceased's estate
1922 New Imperial 347cc
Registration no. BF 6069
Frame no. D1065S (see text)
Engine no. 1C/E 9396/P
Builder of the last British-made machine to win the Lightweight 250 TT in the pre-war era (in 1936), New Imperial was unsurpassed for innovation during the 1930s, with models featuring pivoted fork rear suspension and unitary construction of engine and gearbox.
The marque was established in 1900 when Norman Downs acquired a cycle company in Birmingham, which he reorganised as New Imperial Cycles. The firm's first motorcycles, designed along Werner lines, were shown at the 1901 Stanley Show in London but were not well received. Not until 1910 did Downs try again, launching a conventional JAP-powered model - the Light Tourist - that would prove an outstanding success.
In racing, New Imperial concentrated on the 250 class, winning the Isle of Man TT trophy for 250cc machines in 1921 and their first Lightweight TT in 1924, a feat repeated the following year. On the commercial front, the late 1920s saw production facilities expand and proprietary engines abandoned in favour of New Imperial's own power units.

An older restoration that still presents nicely, this sidevalve JAP-engined New Imperial '350' is offered for recommissioning (the engine turns over). Notable features include acetylene lighting and a Smiths 60mph speedometer. The machine comes with a V5C registration document that records the frame number as 'D1065' (omitting the 'S' suffix).
Key not required
Footnotes:
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.