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£7,000 - £8,000
1961 Velocette Viper, 350 cc. Registration number 2572 WY. Frame number RS 16569. Engine number VR 3763.
Engine development pursued as part of the Velocette factory's scrambles programme bore fruit in 1956 in the shape of the high-performance Venom and its 350cc sibling, the Viper. The MSS frame and forks were retained for the newcomers, but full-width alloy hubs were adopted to boost braking power, and smart chromed mudguards fitted to enhance the models' sporting image. In 1960 'Clubman' versions of both were introduced, minus the enclosure panels of the standard models, which featured a raised compression ratio, Amal TT carburettor, 'racing' magneto, rear-set footrests and a close-ratio gearbox among many other improvements. When supplied with the optional dolphin fairing, the model was known as the Clubman Veeline. Produced until the end of Velocette production in 1971, the Venom/Viper in its various guises represents the final glorious flowering of the traditional British sports single, and today these supremely well-engineered thoroughbreds are highly sought after.
2572 WY, a matching numbers machine, was first registered on the 20th June 1961 by Frank Barton of Goole (WY is a West Riding number although today Goole resides in the East Riding). He sold it to John Singleton of Goole and in September 1966 it was with Nigel Wright of Knottingley, followed by Ken Budby of the same town, before it came back to Goole with Philip Rollinson in 1969, then Charles Vickers of Pontefract followed by Carlton Wain of the same town. In 1990 Eric Danborough of Wakefield and he sold it to our vendor in May 1996.
At this time it had a new speedo fitted and the MOT in July 1997 the mileage was 761, this rose gently with the 2005 MOT the mileage was at 1979. It was put on SORN in 2006 and today the mileage is 1994.
Offered in need of recommissioning this machine appears highly original and rides on Borrini rims.
Sold with the V5C, R.F.60, various MOT's 1996 - 2005 and the SORN documents, together with a spare engine.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
20% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
23.6% inc VAT*
