1936 New Imperial Model 30 250cc Registration Number: XXG 2...

Estimate

£4,500 - £5,500

1936 New Imperial Model 30 250cc

Registration Number: XXG 292
Frame Number: 28840
Engine Number: 36785

The last British-made machine to win the Lightweight 250 TT before the modern era, New Imperial were leading innovators during the 1930s, with models featuring pivoted fork rear suspension and unitary construction of engine and gearbox. The marque was established in 1900 when Norman Downs acquired a cycle company in Birmingham, which he reorganised as New Imperial Cycles. The firm's first motorcycles, designed along Werner lines, were shown at the 1901 Stanley Show in London but were not well received. Not until 1910 did Downs try again, launching a conventional JAP-powered model - the Light Tourist - that would prove an outstanding success. In racing, New Imperial concentrated on the 250 class, winning the Isle of Man TT trophy for 250cc machines in 1921 and their first Lightweight TT in 1924, a feat repeated the following year. On the commercial front, the late 1920s saw production facilities expand and proprietary engines abandoned in favour of New Imperial's own power units. Introduced for 1933, the unitary construction Model 30 was based on the earlier 148cc Model 23, featuring helical primary drive gears, pushrod overhead valves, and coil ignition. Production continued until 1936.

This late New Imperial lightweight, first registered on 25th March 1936, has been extensively restored and is presented in beautiful condition. We understand the bike runs very well and is clearly well engineered and advanced for its age. Offered with a valid V5C, this is an attractive and capable pre-war bike in super order.