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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  Classic Motorbikes
• Sale Date:
  27 Sep 2015 ~ 11am (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  13
• Lot Description:
  1940 MSS Velocette 495
  Engine No: MSS 4555, KDD 6753, Odometer: 26925mls. Condition: Excellent. Documents: NZ Registered (on hold) and Warranted, MR 12A
• Notes:
  Velocette were often seen as one of the ‘high class’ marques of classic bike; something a cut above the ubiquitous parallel twin and more refined than your average single-cylinder slogger. Yet that very reputation discouraged some riders, who felt a touch daunted by the idea of an overhead cam KSS or a 45 horsepower Thruxton. Those bikes didn’t come cheap and their reputations implied they weren’t easy to live with. The 499cc MSS was a completely different kettle of fish. It had a pleasant and practical sporting single, relatively comfortable suspension and a broad spread of torque, making the MSS a relaxed ride over longer distances. It was in essence a sports tourer. The MSS initially arrived in the mid-1930s as the third in Velocette’ range of OHV high-cam, short pushrod singles. They started with a 250cc MOV, followed by the 350 MAC. The MSS was the next progression with an 81mm bigger bore giving a 495cc long-stroke motor. This engine was fitted into a heavyweight frame developed from the racing machines, with a rigid rear end and Webb-type girder forks. The result was something of a lumbering beast; elegant to look at and very long legged but not rapid in acceleration, they often had a sidecar attached. So Velocette’ MSS was an easy starting, tractable and good natured all-rounder which weighed in a 385lb, was capable of cruising at 70mph with shorts bursts of speed up to a little over 80. Although Velocette were never a mass manufacturer, the MSS stayed in production from 1935 until 1968. Buyers started tuning the MSS for speed, the factory responded by producing the sports version the Venom. It’s also interesting to note that Burt Munro raced a modified 1936 Velocette MSS. Race preparation included making special pistons, changing the frame and increasing engine capacity to 650 cc. His top speed record on this motorcycle was 138 mph (222 km/h) with a 1/4 mile time of 12.31 seconds! This example on in immaculate original condition, rare 1940 model.
• Estimate:
  NZ$13,000 - 18,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.