A 1931 New Imperial “3.50 h.p. Light Tourist Model 2” 350cc ...

Hammer

£3,500

A 1931 New Imperial “3.50 h.p. Light Tourist Model 2” 350cc motorcycle. Registration number OV 4656 Frame number 71/156661/2 Engine number 71/23291  First registered 01 01 1932. New Imperial was a short-lived company, founded in Birmingham around 1900. Serious production started in 1912. By the mid-1920s New Imperial Motors Ltd was doing well, and making about 300 machines a month, but they suffered during the depression of the 1930s, and in 1938 their founder Norman Downes died. They went into liquidation in 1939. Despite attempts by various parties to buy the company, production ceased in 1939 as the war started. In their heyday, New Imperial had been an innovative company. In 1932 they started using unit construction, where the engine crankcase and gearbox are incorporated in the same casting, long before it became common practice. The Model 2 was termed “the popular mount” for its all-round characteristics. It had a three-speed hand change gearbox, a top speed of approx 55 miles per hour, and fuel consumption was given as 120 miles per gallon. This private Cornish collection of motorbikes has been entered for sale by the family of the late collector. They have been dry stored in a container, and prior to this in a large garage/workshop. They were all running at some point during his ownership, although most have not been run in recent years, and none recently. We have not seen any running, although none appear to be seized. If you are considering purchasing one of these machines we strongly advise viewing in person.