1935 Velocette MOV 250cc

When a motorcycle is quite as pretty and attractive as this it really deserves to be in the lounge rather than the garage, as a collector friend points out - and he has five. In 1933 Velocette introduced a new line of overhead valve machines to provide a more affordable range, which would be easier to assemble. Hence was born the MOV, using a 250cc engine of square dimensions (68mm bore and 68mm stroke) and with its lively performance it was an immediate success. It was also reliable and had excellent road manners.

This MOV was first spotted by its vendor in 2016 when it was offered as a restoration project at a Bonhams auction sale. The vendor, a collector of historic vehicles, eventually purchased the machine in October 2020 and set about a sympathetic restoration. The original tank, front and rear mudguards, frame, engine etc were all retained and restored. The front headlamp is a replica and the carburettor is a Concentric, but all other replacement parts are Velocette, as detailed in the numerous invoices included in the file. The machine is now gorgeous, well restored and in difficult to fault condition. It starts easily and runs well, perfect surely for a summer of VMCC shows and runs. 

The history file includes numerous invoices for parts procured during the restoration, photographs, DVLA correspondence, Velocette Owner’s Club correspondence and a dating certificate, a reproduction service manual for MOV, MAC and MSS models, a reference spare parts catalogue, and the V5C registration certificate.

Auction Date: 8 June 2023