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A clew to times gone by

obmjeff clew - It happened in Nov. 1934

THE first of the unwelcome winter fogs blanketed the country during the third week of November, to reduce all forms of transport to travelling at a snail’s pace. Little could be done to alleviate the problem – central heating was virtually unknown by householders, who kept warm by burning coal on an open grate. Until the Clean Air Act was implemented many years later, this form of pollution was regarded as an unavoidable winter-time hazard.

There had been an air of apprehension about the 1934 Motor Cycle Show to be held at Olympia from 5-10 November. Although the British motorcycle industry was emerging from the recession of the late 20s, albeit at a slow pace, it had still a long way to go before it approached its production peak of 160,000 in 1926.

Information already produced by the manufacturers about their new models for the forthcoming season began to show the dreams and aspirations of the enthusiasts of only a few years ago were at last likely to become a reality. The two motorcycling weeklies did all they could to encourage a record attendance at the show, their reports taking up virtually the entire content of their November Preview and Show Report issues. In later years they also served as a valuable source of reference for historians and helped settle many an argument.

New for 1935
So much had been written about the new models in the show’s Preview issues, and the Show Report issues that followed a week later, it is not possible to comment on all the individual innovations in any detail. Suffice it to say that the following are intended to provide only a guide to what appeared to offer promise.

Val Page’s new 249cc lightweight model L2/1 made a significant addition to Triumph’s range, while Douglas, in a somewhat moribund state, announced the debut of the Endeavour, a 500cc horizontally opposed twin with its engine mounted transversely in the frame and shaft final drive. Few were willing to risk buying one as the word had got around that the company was experiencing ‘financial difficulties’. Only about 50 are alleged to have been made. Brough Superior’s 1000cc JAP-engined ohv SSIOO model was the most expensive motorcycle at the show, with a price tag of £170, while after an unexpected delay, the 250cc overhead camshaft Levis finally went into production, to sell for £59-10s. Francis-Barnett, famous for their range of Villiers-engined two-strokes, caused a surprise when they displayed the Stag, a 250cc four-stroke, model, with an engine manufactured by Blackburne. Unfortunately, it failed to match up to expectations and within a year it had disappeared from their catalogue. The latest 249cc Villiers engine foreshadowed the end of the deflector piston by rearranging the location of the transfer and exhaust ports, and using a flat top piston. By adopting what was known as ‘loop scavenging’, a two-stroke engine’s efficiency could be improved.

JMB’s two-seater Gazelle had something really different to offer apart from the distinction of having the cheapest three-wheelers at the show. They had a separate steel tube chassis and front suspension with quarter-elliptic springs. Two models were listed at £75-12s and £91-7s, fully equipped, the latter being their Mustang sports version. Vincent-HRD would now market a 500cc spring frame fitted with an engine of their own design and manufacture, and Rudge would be able to offer the Rapid, a new 250cc two valve model at a very reasonable price, capable of out-performing many of its larger capacity counterparts. AJS could provide three entirely new 250cc and 350cc models, each with a single exhaust port ohv engine, and a 498cc side valve single with a ‘direct flow’ inlet port. Had there been any award for the most comprehensive range of models on any stand, it would surely have been given to New Imperial, who would be displaying a total of 27!

The smaller manufacturers who were unwilling to book stand space at the show, with all its attendant expenses, rented premises close to Olympia, which remained open throughout the show-time period. Small in number, they comprised AJW, Montgomery, OK Supreme, Panther, Red Panther (available only from Pride and Clarke), and Scott.

Total enclosure
An ingenious and highly unconventional exhibit at the show was the Whitwood Monocar, made in Portsmouth. It took the form of an air-cooled horizontal single cylinder engine and gearbox, with chain drive to the rear wheel, fully enclosed within an open car-type body that had side screens and a hood. It would accommodate two adults seated in tandem, car fashion, and was fitted with OEC’s Duplex steering employing a steering wheel in place of handlebars.

Having only two wheels, a retractable ‘undercarriage’ could be lowered to act as an outboard stabiliser as the vehicle came to a rest.

Four models were listed, ranging from the 150cc two-stroke Dart at £49-15s to the 1000cc side valve Regent at £88. Motorcyclists have always been wary of designs that differ radically from those of a more conventional nature. Although the Monocars seemed to offer good value for money, coupled with adequate weather protection, few were tempted to buy.

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