1920 | ABC 398

MOTORE N° | ENGINE #: 2758
SENZA DOCUMENTI – WITHOUT DOCUMENTS
The All British Engine Company (ABC) was founded in 1912 by Ronald Charteris in Weybridge, Surrey as a manufacturer of pistons and other components for aircraft engines. Their first contact with the motorcycle world occurred that same year through one of their technicians, designer Granville Bradshaw, who was asked to design and produce some special parts for Les Bailey's Douglas, who was attempting to set the World Record at Brookland, which he achieved successfully. Shortly thereafter, the idea of ​​producing motorcycles under their brand began to materialize and shortly after, the first engine was produced, a twin-cylinder with horizontally opposed cylinders and housed longitudinally in the frame. Some of these bikes took part in the 1913 Tourist Trophy, but unfortunately none of them would see the finish line of this grueling competition. The following year an ABC with a displacement of 500cc and equipped with a leaf spring front suspension obtains the Record of the category at Brookland, these encouraging results push the owners to expand by moving their headquarters to Hersham, Walton-on-Thames continuing with the production of the two top models, both with a horizontal twin-cylinder engine with opposed cylinders, but one arranged longitudinally and the other with the cylinders arranged transversely to the axis of the motorcycle. In the meantime, a single-cylinder engine is also developed and a collaboration is started with another famous manufacturer of aircraft engines, the French Gnome & Rhone, which in the following years will acquire all the shares of the ABC company taking control of it.
From this collaboration, in 1920, the Motocyclette 3HP 1/2 sees the light, this truly unique and decidedly very rare motorcycle. It is a twin-cylinder but with the cylinders arranged in a transverse V, with opposed valve distribution, a refinement for the time, and with a chassis equipped with leaf spring suspensions both front and rear, an authentic special model.
Restored, in excellent condition, an unmissable opportunity for a truly unique piece. ASI registered.
A general check is recommended before use.

Starting price:€ 4.000

https://www.astebolaffi.it/en/lot/156/63/detail