1949 EMC 350

Lot details
Registration No: UMH 145
Frame No: 004
Engine No: 004
cc: 350

Dr Josef Ehrlich arrived in the UK from Austria during 1937, a talented engineer, his interest was centred on the development and potential of the two stroke engine. A prototype engine of his own design was assembled and being tested in an elderly Francis Barnett chassis by 1939. In its pre war guise the split single two stroke displaced 240cc with a stroke of 79mm and a bore of 44mm for each of the two pistons. The pistons ran on a y shaped con rod and shared a common combustion chamber. Although this engine did not enter production it provided the basis for a 350cc version that powered machines built at Dr Ehrlich's factory in Park Royal, London from 1947.
The split single powerplant, which featured a cast iron barrel with alternating deep and shallow fins was offered in two guises, the S with Pilgrim oil pump providing the engine lubrication and the T which relied on the petrol system of lubrication. Both versions employed a rigid duplex frame with a cast bronze backbone and steering head fitted with Dowty oleo-pneumatic forks. 7 inch brakes were employed with two drums gracing the front wheel. A Burman four speed gearbox provided the transmission which was characterised by a high overall ratio in the interests of fuel economy. Although technically interesting the machine failed to sell in large numbers and examples are extremely rare today.
The machine offered was purchased in May 1973 from Verrals of Tooting Bec High Road and is offered in good overall condition with a Swansea V5C.