26th Mar, 2025 12:00
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
c.1942 Excelsior Welbike
No Reserve
Sold for £8,510
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 294/23/S1946 (3923)
MOT: Exempt
- Offered from long term but sadly deceased ownership
- Rare opportunity to own a piece of WWII history
- Looks to be largely original
- A wonderfully interesting project
PLEASE NOTE: The frame number has now been identified on the head stock, please see final image
The Welbike was a British single-seat folding motorcycle produced during World War II at the direction of Station IX, the Inter Services Research Bureau, based at Welwyn, UK, for use by Special Operations Executive (SOE). It has the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces. Between 1942 and 1943, 3,641 units (plus a prototype and some pilot models) were built and, although few were used by the SOE, some were issued to the British 1st and 6th Airborne divisions and some were used by paratroops at Arnhem during ‘Operation Market Garden’.
Offered from a deceased estate and from long-term ownership, this is an extremely rare 1940s MOD bike. Believed to be a MkII Welbike, due to the rear mudguard feature and brass chassis plate, of which only 1,400 were made and put into service. The vendor had fond memories of his deceased relative riding around on this rare and diminutive machine in the 1970s when he was just a boy. It appears to be largely original and the perfect, quite literally, 'small project' for someone to get back to use as something different, a talking point or for military collectors. Unfortunately, we don't expect there to be any paperwork with this motorcycle.
For more information, please contact:
Oliver Fernyhough-Martin
oliver.fernyhough-martin@handh.co.uk
07483 361000
Auction: National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands, 26th Mar, 2025
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An auction of classic motorcycles & vintage scooters taking place at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, West Midlands.
VENUE INFORMATION GET A COMPLIMENTARY VALUATION
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Viewing
Tues 25th March from 1pm
Wed 26th March from 9am
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