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£1,000
1961 James Flying Cadet, 149cc. Registration number 578 PVK. Frame number CL15A 9689. Engine number 15T 5424.
The marque James first appeared in 1880 as bicycle manufacturers, turning to motorcycle production in 1902, and perhaps its greatest achievement was in supplying a robust lightweight machine for use by the airborne forces in World War II. The old company was swallowed up into the AMC conglomerate in 1951 and production was concentrated on lightweight Villiers-powered machines. For the 1950 range the name Cadet was applied for the first time to the 122cc models which featured new telescopic front forks. By 1959 the Cadet was powered by a 147cc Villiers two-stroke, single-cylinder engine and was grown up in appearance with enveloping rear tinware and dualseat. The L15A Flying Cadet was launched in 1959 with the new AMC engine retailed at just 107 guineas (£112.35p including purchase tax).
PVK was first registered on the 28th August 1960 by dealers Stuarts of Scotswood in Newcastle upon Tyne and sold to Albert Garfitt of Blyth a month and then passed to his relative William at a later date. In 1981 it was MOT'd at 23,465 miles and by 2014 it was with Alan Birkett of Llanon in Wales. He contacted the VMCC for a dating certificate and successfully retained the original registration. Our vendor acquired it from him two years later.
The machine now has a lovely patina and is sold with the V5C, R.F.60, old MOTs and various James handbooks.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
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