Beschreibung:

The Birmingham firm of Hudson & Edmunds started out as a bicycle manufacturer, becoming the New Hudson Cycle Company Ltd in 1890 after merging with the producers of the Armstrong hub gear. Their first powered machine of 1903 used a clip-on Minerva engine and this was followed by the first proper motorcycle in 1910. The firm made its Isle of Man TT debut in 1911 but adherence to the hub gear would render New Hudson at an increasing disadvantage to rivals using the countershaft gearbox. In the early 1920s New Hudson raced tuned versions of the production 499cc sidevalve model equipped with chain rather than belt transmission. Overhead-valve models were soon introduced but competition success continued to eluded the marque until Bert Le Vack took over racing development, becoming the first man to lap Brooklands at over 100mph on a 500 in 1927. A new range of machines with inclined cylinders and partial enclosure of the crankcase and gearbox was announced for 1931, but the onset of economic depression did little to encourage sales and in 1933 the company - by then manufacturers of Girling automotive components - ceased to build motorcycles. There was a brief return in 1940 with the New Hudson Autocycle, which was later built by BSA. An ideal ‘Banbury’ bike, this rare Vintage-era New Hudson comes with a letter from the VMCC’s marque specialist, Eric Londesbrough, confirming that it is the earliest example of the TT Sports model on the Club’s register. New Hudson’s advertising described the TT Sports as ‘exactly as used by E Mundey in the 1922 and 1923 Tourist Trophy Races,’ though Ted Mundey’s bike would have been specially tuned for racing. (For the record: he finished 18th in the 1922 Senior but retired from the 1923 race). ‘HP 9658’ was first registered in Coventry on 31st July 1924 and comes with its original buff logbook. The vendor purchased the machine in April 2006 from the widow of its previous owner, Mr Robin Pitman, in whose name it had been registered since January 1982. It is understood that it had been off the road for the immediately preceding eight years together with others in Mr Pitman’s collection. The wheels had been rebuilt but no other restoration work was evident. Since acquisition the machine has benefited from further refurbishment, which included re-profiling the cam followers, re-covering the saddle, overhauling the ML magneto (invoice available) and fitting new chains and tyres. Very well presented and in running order, ‘HP 9658’ is offered with the aforementioned documentation, current road fund licence, MoT to October 2009 and Swansea V5C.