1962 Alcyon - Mors 123cc S3 Paris-Nice Motor Scooter. Regist...

Hammer

£700

1962 Alcyon - Mors 123cc S3 Paris-Nice Motor Scooter. Registration number SDJ 898 (non transferrable). Frame number *S3*51217*. Engine number. 51217-1033.
The history of the Alcyon - Mors brand is typical of many post war countries where small companies tried to gain market share (normally unsuccessfully) by getting the population mobile in a war ravished Europe.
Pierre Brissonnet, owner of the Parisian "Speed" car accessory company introduced a city scooter in 1951, the Speed S1C; production was undertaken by the Mors Company in Sens. It had limited success and was replaced by the larger Paris Nice S3 in 1953 with a 123 cc engine. By 1955 production had been taken over by the Alcyon company and it is believed it stopped in 1959.
Alcyon had been set up by Edmond Gentil a Parisian bicycle manufacturer in the late 19th century, he moved into motorcycles in 1902 and motor cars in 1906. Post WWI he dropped car production and post WWII they produced many lightweights under different brand names that they had taken over, often just badge engineered. The 6 hp engine used a three speed gearbox operated by two foot pedals, mounted in a monotube frame. Alcyon also sponsored a successful professional cycling team, winning the Tour de France six times, which perhaps explains the choice of the 'Paris-Nice' name for one of its motor scooters.
SDJ 898 was first registered by Motorcycle dealers Victor Horsman Ltd., of St Helens on the 22 October 1962 and sold to Richard Woodcock on the 29th, the following year he sold it to Charles Woodcock of the same address, so presumably his brother or son. Charles moved around the country with it, Crewe, Redditch and Aldershot, last registering it in 1977. In 2004 Ian Woodford of Fleet in Hampshire bought it and sold it to motorcycle dealer, Don Law of Hull, in 2008. At this time the engine was running, but it has remained in storage ever since.
Now in need of restoration, this rare machine appears very original and should make an interesting project for the next owner.
Sold with the R.F. 60 and V5C.