1961 Velocette Viceroy
One of only c.700 produced

Registration No: 297 XWB
Frame No: S266
MOT: Exempt

• Previously part of the Tony East IOM collection
• Featured in Scooter Nova magazine in August 2024
• Offered with owners and service manuals and V5C

Velocette motorcycles and scooters were manufactured by Veloce Ltd in Hall Green Birmingham between 1905 and 1971, a family-owned firm producing mainly hand-built machines and competing favourably with the bigger concerns such as BSA, Triumph and Norton. Veloce was a great technical innovator and many of its patented designs are commonplace on motorcycles today, including the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers. In the early 1960s they belatedly jumped onto the scooter bandwagon, but like most British manufacturerst they were never able to match the success of their Italian competitors. The Viceroy featured a forward mounted, 250cc horizontally opposed two stroke, twin-cylinder engine with shaft drive, offering a top speed of 65mph. With reed valve induction, electric start and 12" wheels, it was quite an ambitious design that reflected in its high selling price, and almost inevitably it was a commercial failure. It is thought that only around 700 were made, making it a rare collector's item today.

This Viceroy scooter was part of the Tony East collection on the Isle of Man until bought by the vendor a couple of years ago. Restored by Tony in 2010, it became part of the display in his museum in Kirk Michael. Recommissioned and re-registered in the UK in 2023, it was fitted with a pair of new batteries and the starter motor was reconditioned. The vendor has since enjoyed riding it to local events, including winning the best bike award at the Thornton Le Dale classic show. In August 2024, this rare collector's item was featured in Scooter Nova magazine with a copy included in the sale. It will be supplied with the old IOM registration documents, an original handbook and service manual, a period sales brochure together with its new V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415 871189