Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
cc: 125
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

Originally of Viennese extraction, Dr Josef Ehrlich immigrated to the UK in the late 1930s. A passionate motorcyclist who had raced Puchs in his youth, he founded the London-based Ehrlich Motor Company in 1946. Launched the following year, the road-going Model S and Model T (both highly competent 350cc split-single two-strokes) proved slow sellers. Diversifying into competition as a means of generating publicity, Ehrlich soon earned a reputation as something of a tuning alchemist.
However, when future World Scramble Champion Les Archer unexpectedly won the 1947 Mellano Trophy at Dunholme Lodge aboard an EMC prepared mount, debate started as to whether a split-piston engine's unconventional compression cycle constituted a form of 'supercharging'. Consequently denied a manufacturer's entry for the 1948 Isle of Man Junior TT race (his cause possibly not helped by the EMC-assisted George Brown lapping an entire field during a Cadwell Park meet earlier that season), the good doctor began to struggle. Increasingly disillusioned, he turned his back on the motorcycle industry in 1953.
Taking jobs with first Austin and then De Havilland, it was while working for the latter's experimental engine division that he designed the revolutionary 125cc racer for which he is best remembered. Powered by a 54x54mm single cylinder unit that featured both water cooling and a disc-valve induction system, its featherweight frame cradled a six-speed gearbox too.
Hailed by Honda Japan on their website as "an epoch making machine" created by a "genius technician", it made its unassuming debut in 1958. Developed with the help of fellow De Havilland employee and Norton racer, Rex Avery, the EMC 125cc proceeded to dominate the UK ultra-lightweight scene before making the jump to 125cc World Championship racing in 1961. Ridden by Mike Hailwood and Phil Read, the Works bikes are believed to have achieved the following notable results:

April 1961 Spanish GP 3rd
May 1961 French GP 4th
August 1961 Ulster GP 5th

Finishing third in the Manufacturer's title race that year, they went one better in 1962 further closing the gap on the dominant Hondas.

April 1962 Silverstone 2nd
April 1962 Brands Hatch 3rd
May 1962 Spanish GP 4th
May 1962 Saar GP 1st
July 1962 W. German GP 3rd
August 1962 Ulster GP 5th

While Mike Hailwood's victory over Honda rider Luigi Tavieri in the non-championship Saar GP was an undoubted highlight, a string of points scoring performances saw him finish fifth overall in the chase for the rider's crown. His team-mates Paddy Driver and Rex Avery did not fare as well ending up in tenth and twelfth positions respectively.
Reputed to have been ridden by Mike Hailwood during the momentous 1962 season, this particular EMC 125cc GP bike was sold by Dr Ehrlich along with the rest of his collection in the early 1990s. Precursor of the two-stroke revolution that subsequently swept through the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc GP classes, it more than deserves its place in motorcycle racing history.