LOT 573 - 1932 Francis Barnett 150cc Lapwing

This motorcycle is to be auctioned at our Live and Online Winter Sale, Hanger 113, Bicester Heritage, OX26 5HA.
Please click the link to see the full online Lot listing: www.bonhams.co...
SALE TIMES
Friday 11 December
Spares & Memorabilia (Lot 1 - 112) 9am
The National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection (Lots 201 - 252) 11am
Saturday 12 December
Motorcycles (Day 2) (Lots 501 - 708) 10am
VIEWING
In light of the current government guidelines and relaxed measures we are delighted to welcome viewing, strictly by appointment. All the lots will be on view at Bicester Heritage in our traditional Hangar 113. We will ensure social distancing measures are in place, with gloves and sanitiser available for clients wishing to view motorcycle history files.
VIEWING TIMES
Wednesday 9 December 9am to 5pm
Thursday 10 December 9am to 5pm
Friday 11 December 9am to 5pm (Lots 501 - 708 only)
LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION
Please note that whilst public viewing is available by appointment, the auction itself will be conducted from a remote saleroom, behind closed doors without public access, in accordance with the current government guidelines. All bidding will be conducted via Online, Telephone and Absentee Bidding. Please contact our Bids Department to register.
AUCTION ADDRESS
Hangar 113
Bicester Heritage
Buckingham Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire
OX26 5HA
EX-T G MEETEN, SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
1932 FRANCIS-BARNETT 150CC LAPWING
REGISTRATION NO. PJ 4550
FRAME NO. B24758
ENGINE NO. GY695
Beginning in the mid-1920s Tommy Meeten gained many successes riding Francis-Barnett lightweights at Brooklands, the IoM TT, the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), and many other prestigious events. These results were mainly achieved on 150/175cc Villiers-engined machines - occasionally fitted with a sidecar - and undoubtedly helped promote the Coventry firm at a time when the motorcycle market was extremely sluggish. Equally commendable was Mrs Meeten's completion of a 1,000-mile run on a Francis-Barnett, whose fuel consumption averaged a remarkable 196mpg. The 148cc Lapwing was introduced as a 'high quality utility model', priced at £24 15s, in late 1931. It was not unusual at that time for production models to be used in competition events; Tommy Meeten is thus pictured beside 'PJ 4550' (while mending a puncture) in Motor Cycling's May 24th report of the 1933 SSDT (copy available). The history trail then goes cold until the machine was purchased, in restored condition, some 30 years ago by the immediately preceding owner, who reportedly rode it just once (the last tax disc expired in 2008). Its late owner purchased 'PJ 4550' at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2015 (Lot 268), since when the machine has been kept in dry storage. In need of careful re-commissioning and the customary safety checks, 'PJ 4550' comes with a Francis-Barnett 'Hints & Spares' book; a V5C Registration Certificate, and its original logbook recording Tommy Meeten as owner from February 1933.
GBP4,500 - 5,500
€5,000 - 6,100
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.