£6,000
1936 Scott Flying Squirrel, 600 cc (see text). Registration number JAS 226 (non transferrable, formerly EPE 288). Frame number 4225. Engine number DPZ 4287.
Bradford-born Alfred Angas Scott's experiments with two-stroke motorcycle engines began in the closing years of the 19th Century. The first complete Scott motorcycle followed in 1908, its twin-cylinder engine, two-speed foot-change gear and all-chain drive marking it out as an exceptionally advanced design for its day. Light weight, ample power and sure-footed handling thanks to a low centre of gravity were Scott virtues right from the outset. Like its major rivals, Scott was well aware of the publicity value of racing and the allure of models with a TT connection, so the adoption of an optional full-frame tank, like that of the works racers, for the new Flying Squirrel was not surprising. Launched at the Olympia Show in 1925, the 'Flyer' came in 498cc and 596cc capacities, the latter being the most expensive machine in the range. Subsequent models also benefited from the racing programme, gaining the duplex frame and bigger brakes (first seen on the works bikes in 1926) and the magneto-platform Pilgrim oil pump adopted for the 1927 TT machines.
Between 1935 and 1938 the factory at Shipley in Yorkshire produced the B2592 air-cooled Aero engine, based on the Scott Flying Squirrel motorcycle unit. A 25 hp version was also specifically developed to power the notoriously dangerous Flying Flea aircraft. In 1950 the rights were bought by the Birmingham based Aerco Company and in 1956 they produced what are known as the Birimingham Scotts. In the late 1970s, Silk Engineering produced the Silk 700S, which comprised an uprated Scott engine fitted into a modern Egli-type frame made by Spondon Engineering.
EPE 288 was first registered on the 26th September 1936 and its early history is unknown. Stanley Weston of Leyton in London registered it on the 15th January 1952 and the R.F.60 states its engine to be 600 cc; the understanding of the cataloguer is that the engine number should be DPY for 598cc not the DPZ that it is. All other match up correctly so one assumes that the Authorities got this wrong!
In 1954 it was sold to Arnold King and Henry Halliday in 1955, followed by Alan Hinks, all of London. In 1957 a sidecar was attached to the machine. By June 1976 Philp Robinson of Derby was the owner, followed by Brian Mather of Alfreton and Graham Pilkington of Nottingham in 2001. He sold the number and had it re-registered as JAS 226 (EPE is now on a 1969 Jaguar E Type!). In May 2014 Reany Classic Motorcycles of Dronfield bought it and sold it to our vendor a month later.
The MOT history shows a mileage of 3,030 in 1999, and zero by 2006, today it stands at 3,156 miles; our vendor does not find time to use it very often now so is passing it onto the next custodian. In November 2016 our vendor had the engine totally refreshed by Rrichard Blackburn of Scottparts, see receipt on file for the parts replaced, along with blind head long stroke barrels and new pistons, taking the engine to 600 cc; it has only undertaken a couple of hundred miles since.
Sold with The V5C, R.F.60 and MOT's 1999 - 2005.
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