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Auction archive: Lot number 132•

1927 Humber 349cc Sports Model Registration no. SV 9222 (U.K.) Frame no. 10802 Engine no. 10780

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$9,126
Auction archive: Lot number 132•

1927 Humber 349cc Sports Model Registration no. SV 9222 (U.K.) Frame no. 10802 Engine no. 10780

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$9,126
Beschreibung:

It is so rare to have one Humber 349cc Sports Model in a sale – but to have two is quite exceptional and here is the second from this British Collection, this time a highly original machine which has been restored and campaigned in appropriate events. The marque Humber was first associated with motorcycles in Coventry as early as 1900, Humber initially using the ubiquitous French-built De Dion Bouton engines in their three-wheelers before moving to motorcycle production. Early models were built under license from the Yorkshire company, Phelon & Moore, and included 1½hp and 2¾hp models. In 1911 Humber enjoyed its first major competition success when P J Evans carried off the victor’s laurels in the Junior TT on the Isle of Man. In those years which straddled The Great War, long distance reliability trials were highly popular in the U.K. and manufacturers were quick to recognize the importance of success in such events when marketing their machines. Humber were to enjoy such successes in the arduous English and Scottish Six Days Trials and these competition successes contributed significantly to the sales figures for standard production models. The Humber motorcycle range for 1927 was mixed and varied, the company offering side-valve, overhead-valve and overhead camshaft models at prices for all budgets. This machine was first registered to an English owner living in the Home Counties whose wife – so the story goes – fell off the pillion seat and vowed never to get on it again. So upset was its owner that he put the bike away in the garden shed where it remained until it was acquired from that first owner’s widow in 1966. After 40 years or so standing untouched it fired up and ran within one hour. A two year restoration was embarked upon, carefully retaining originality wherever possible and only the control cables, foot rest rubbers and engine bearings were replaced. The machine retained its Watford speedometer, Lucas horn and period Lycett saddle. The brake linings presently fitted are believed to be the originals! Upon completion of the restoration in 1968 this machine took part in the Humber Centenary Rally in the ancient cathedral city of Coventry where it was built. Since then the machine has been used only sparingly but did take part with success in ten consecutive Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Runs – no mean achievement indeed over this testing course. Perhaps the bike has covered just 3,000 or so miles in the last 30 or so years. There is no questioning the originality and textbook restoration quality of this machine, which comes with its original tool roll, sales leaflet, handbook and parts list and British registration documentation. This is a machine of museum quality from one of England’s premier motorcycle manufacturers.

Auction archive: Lot number 132•
Auction:
Datum:
9 May 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
Beschreibung:

It is so rare to have one Humber 349cc Sports Model in a sale – but to have two is quite exceptional and here is the second from this British Collection, this time a highly original machine which has been restored and campaigned in appropriate events. The marque Humber was first associated with motorcycles in Coventry as early as 1900, Humber initially using the ubiquitous French-built De Dion Bouton engines in their three-wheelers before moving to motorcycle production. Early models were built under license from the Yorkshire company, Phelon & Moore, and included 1½hp and 2¾hp models. In 1911 Humber enjoyed its first major competition success when P J Evans carried off the victor’s laurels in the Junior TT on the Isle of Man. In those years which straddled The Great War, long distance reliability trials were highly popular in the U.K. and manufacturers were quick to recognize the importance of success in such events when marketing their machines. Humber were to enjoy such successes in the arduous English and Scottish Six Days Trials and these competition successes contributed significantly to the sales figures for standard production models. The Humber motorcycle range for 1927 was mixed and varied, the company offering side-valve, overhead-valve and overhead camshaft models at prices for all budgets. This machine was first registered to an English owner living in the Home Counties whose wife – so the story goes – fell off the pillion seat and vowed never to get on it again. So upset was its owner that he put the bike away in the garden shed where it remained until it was acquired from that first owner’s widow in 1966. After 40 years or so standing untouched it fired up and ran within one hour. A two year restoration was embarked upon, carefully retaining originality wherever possible and only the control cables, foot rest rubbers and engine bearings were replaced. The machine retained its Watford speedometer, Lucas horn and period Lycett saddle. The brake linings presently fitted are believed to be the originals! Upon completion of the restoration in 1968 this machine took part in the Humber Centenary Rally in the ancient cathedral city of Coventry where it was built. Since then the machine has been used only sparingly but did take part with success in ten consecutive Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Runs – no mean achievement indeed over this testing course. Perhaps the bike has covered just 3,000 or so miles in the last 30 or so years. There is no questioning the originality and textbook restoration quality of this machine, which comes with its original tool roll, sales leaflet, handbook and parts list and British registration documentation. This is a machine of museum quality from one of England’s premier motorcycle manufacturers.

Auction archive: Lot number 132•
Auction:
Datum:
9 May 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
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