1969 BSA A65 Lightning Rocket 658cc Cafe Racer Special - DORSET CLASSIC & CLASSIC AUCTIONS Thursday 13th September 2018 (Viewing Wednesday 12th 2pm -6pm from 9am day of sale) Athelhampton House Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG

CLASSIC CHATTER

BY ENTHUSIASTS FOR ENTHUSIASTS

Visit our 2018 Events Listings at 
EVENTS 2018
To Advertise your 2018 Events  e-mail us at
events.classicchatter@mail.com
Visit Our Event Gallery at
CLASSICS IN FOCUS

====================================
Social Media
FACEBOOK - @classicchatterinfocus
LTWITTER - @classicchat
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DORSET CLASSIC & CLASSIC AUCTIONS

Thursday 13th September 2018

(Viewing  Wednesday 12th 2pm -6pm from 9am day of sale)

Athelhampton House Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG

1969 BSA A65 Lightning Rocket 658cc Cafe Racer Special

Registration Number: SOK 602H

Frame Number: XC16183A65T

Engine Number: A65L/HE12090

MOT Test Expiry: Exempt

Guide Price: £9000 - 12000

Road Tax Exempt

This superb motorcycle was almost entirely designed by ex. Speedway rider John Darrell, who is regarded as a specialist engineer of motorcycles and has been responsible for rebuilding many Vincents, Brough Superiors and Speedway machines. The handmade frame of this BSA is made from T45 aircraft steel tubing and the fuel tank was fabricated in alloy in Guernsey and apparently took five days to produce. The foot rest brackets and wheel rims are also alloy, and the wheels were built using stainless steel spokes.

The 658cc Lightning Rocket engine has been rebuilt with new con-rods, a new carburettor and new engine mountings. The gearbox has also been rebuilt and we are told that most components have been either renewed or reconditioned. The ignition system is by Branson and the 12 volt electrical system has a new battery located under the seat; at present this is disconnected. The Manx alloy mudguards, Gold Star exhausts and a racing seat enhance the exceptional motorcycle.

Six hundred hours of John Darrell’s time was lavished on the restoration of the BSA and it remains a credit to his craftsmanship and engineering skills; regrettably, poor health and a serious Speedway accident forced him to part with his Dream Machine and ownership passed to the current custodian, a motorcycle collector.

Supplied with SOK 602H is the V5C registration certificate, starting instructions and the first MOT test certificate following the rebuild (dated 3 June 2015) with a mileage recording of just one mile. With the current odometer reading at two miles, we would recommend a recommissioing service before returning this fabulous machine to the road.

ORIGINAL SOURCE:
http://www.dvca.co.uk/vehicles-for-auction-view.php?classic-cars=BSA-A65-Lightning-Rocket-658cc-Cafe-Racer-Special7703

SELECTED BY: IDRIS SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLASSIC CHATTER

KEEPING IT CLASSIC 

2010-2018

#############################################################

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that y check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

Powered by Dragons

================================

1960 ELVA MkV SPORTS RACER - SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS RACE RETRO CLASSIC COMPETITION CAR SALE Friday 23rd February 2018

UPCOMING EVENT

 For Details Please Visit:

https://www.raceretro.com

*****************************************************************************

COMING TO AUCTION

Brought to you by Classic Chatter

www.classicchatter.co.uk

Visit our 2018 Events Listings at EVENTS 2018
To Advertise your 2018 Events  e-mail us at
events.classicchatter@mail.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Social Media
FACEBOOK - @classicchatterinfocus
TWITTER - @classicchat
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Classic Chatter is an independent website for owners & enthusiasts of all types of historic vehicles.

As well as our main website we post regularly on our sites related to Showroom Classics, Auctions & Events News

TODAY WE FEATURE

SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS
RACE RETRO CLASSIC COMPETITION CAR SALE
Friday 23rd February 2018
Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LG 

1960 ELVA MkV SPORTS RACER

Registration: N/A

Chassis Number: 100/101

Engine Number: N/A

Number of cylinders: 4

CC: 1220cc

Year of Manufacture: 1960

RHD/LHD: Right Hand Drive

Estimate (£): 50,000 - 60,000

(+buyer's premium of 15% including VAT @ 20%)

• A rare and important car. Number 11 of the 13 Mk.Vs built. Lots of history
• Only six running hours since a full, nut and bolt, restoration by Michael Clifford in Connecticut
• Needs a harness, period windscreen, and some other small details to qualify for an FIA Passport
• Superbly presented in an 'American' colour scheme. Wouldn't take much to return it to 'period' colours

Club racing in the early fifties was cheap and cheerful, with many 'specials' constructed by innovative enthusiasts looking for maximum performance at minimum cost. One such enthusiast was Frank G. Nichols. Having left the Army with a gratuity and some mechanical skills, he bought a small garage business at Westham in 1947. This was successful and he moved to another bigger garage in London Road, Bexhill where there was a good local following for motorsport 

After gaining experience in a Lotus VI, he ordered a 'CSM' from a Mike Chapman (no relation to Colin), achieved some notable successes particularly at Goodwood, and attracted attention from like-minded enthusiasts. He was shrewd enough to realise that this potent little car could be further improved and marketed, and very soon he was able to produce a similar chassis. At one meeting at Goodwood, a French enthusiast, impressed with the speed of Frank's car commented “Elle Va” which translates as 'she goes' and shortly afterwards the Elva Sports Car Company, based in Hastings, was formed. Unfortunately, a few years later, financial problems directly attributable to the failure of their U.S. distributor and a large number of their 'Courier' road cars being impounded overseas, resulted in Elva being forced into liquidation and being sold to Trojan in 1961. Production was relocated to Rye, Sussex, and again in 1966 to the main Trojan factory in Croydon. In 1965 Ken Sheppard from 'Customized Sports Cars' of Shenley, purchased Elva from Trojan, but sadly production ended in 1968.

The ultimate front-engined, drum-brake Elva sports racer was the small displacement Mk.V. and thirteen examples were produced. They were powered by the Coventry-Climax FWB single overhead camshaft engine, and they were remarkably competitive, outhandling Chapman's Lotus 11 at most circuits here, in Europe, and the United States.

This particular Elva Mk.V is chassis number 100/101 and was the eleventh car built. Unusually for an older racing car, the History File is pretty comprehensive from new staring with the car being imported in the USA by Elva distributor Stephens Motors and purchased by R Davis. Mr Davis owned and raced it for several years with some success even winning the SCCA Cal Club 'D' championship in 1964. 

It then became the property of its second owner, Mr G Clark, who raced it for a number of years before storing the car prior to being purchased in 1988 by Mr B McCaw. Mr McCaw owned the car for almost a decade before, in turn, selling it to Don Kruzan, head of the Elva Register, who apparently sold it back to the previous owner in 2002.

At this point, a full restoration was commenced and over the next four years 'Michael Clifford Vintage Racing', a British sports racing car specialist near Connecticut, was tasked with returning the little Elva to full health. The car needed a complete nut and bolt rebuild and was returned to factory original specification fitted with a correct 1220cc Climax engine. Since restoration, the car has only seen occasional use at the Monterey Historic Races in 2007 and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in 2008 and 2009.

The Elva was purchased by our vendor in 2011 with the intention of obtaining FIA papers and competing at Goodwood, however other commitments have taken priority and, sadly, it has not turned a wheel in anger since.

Despite the car having had little use prior to purchase in 2011, with just 6 hours of running time on the car, engine and gearbox, we would recommend having the car professionally checked over before use and most obviously the fitting of a racing seat and harness. Whilst the owner believes it would obtain FIA papers if fitted with a period-correct full-width windscreen, we cannot confirm this. 

This Elva looks fabulous in Red and Yellow with distinctive yellow Elva web wheels and has clearly been well restored and prepared. This is a rare car, nicely rejuvenated, and with Goodwood eligibility and front-running capability, at today's guide, it is surely one of the most economical ways to be competitive in International historic motorsport.

Original Source: https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1960-elva-mkv

SELECTED BY - IDRIS THE SQUIRREL

I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS

CLASSIC CHATTER

KEEPING IT CLASSIC 

2010-2018

Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that y check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com

Powered by Dragons