Beschreibung:

The Vincenti Piatti-designed 'Mini-Motore' was one of the most successful clip-on cyclemotors that helped get the masses back on two wheels in the aftermath of WW2. The engine unit was manufactured in the UK as the 'Mini-Motor' by Trojan Ltd of Croydon, South London, progressing through Mks I to V between 1949 and 1955. This example is attached to a 1944 Raleigh No. 6 roadster, which was sold new to Mr Percy Scolls of Bolton (see documents on file). As a 'war grade' model, there was no chromium plating and the pedals where made from steel to save rubber. The Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub was added in 1949 and all the other parts of the cycle are original except the tyres, tubes and brake blocks. Rebuilt with new bearings and seals, the engine was new-old-stock in 1994 when then current vendor attached it to the cycle and obtained an age-related registration. (Although the accompanying dating certificate says 1956 the engine number suggests it was made in 1955). Known as 'Percy', the machine has been used regularly on NACC runs, many members remarking that it is the only MkV they have ever seen. Indeed, there is no other running MkV documented in the NACC archives. In 1999 'NFF 334' was one of the unlikelier participants in the 'Thundersprint' event held at the Three Sisters circuit, competing against the likes of Manx Nortons, Velocette KTTs and four-cylinder MVs ridden by stars such as Phil Read and Jim Redman. The vendor's best lap time was 52 seconds, not quite quick enough for a class win but nevertheless good enough to take home the 'Most Entertaining Contestant' award. Resplendent in its original wartime paintwork, the machine is offered with current MoT/tax and Swansea V5.