Beschreibung:

A short-lived marque, Grindlay-Peerless is nevertheless guaranteed its place in motorcycling history thanks to works rider/tuner Bill Lacey, who became the first 500 rider to exceed 100 miles in the hour on British soil in August 1928. Like many production Grindlays, Lacey’s bike used a twin-port JAP engine, and the marque also fitted Barr & Stroud, Rudge Python and Villiers power units. Grindlay-Peerless had started out as sidecar makers, only turning to motorcycle manufacture in 1923. The company entered the 1930s with a varied line-up of models ranging from a 172cc Villiers-powered lightweight to a 750cc JAP-engined v-twin. The range was gradually reduced in number and only five models were offered in 1934, the last year of Grindlay-Peerless motorcycle production. This twin-port, JAP-engine Grindlay-Peerless Model SO5 dates from 1929, the year in which J D Potts rode a similar machine in the Manx Amateur Road Race Championships. Potts won the Senior Amateur event on his 500 Grindlay, only to be disqualified later for receiving factory support. His consolation prize was a place in the Norton works team. The machine was purchased by the current owner from a Mr John Wilson of Ford near Stanstead, Essex in 1980. Professionally restored to original specification and completed in 2006, the Grindlay was taken to the Isle of Man later that same year where it and the vendor were judged ‘Best Man and Machine in Keeping with the TT Week’. Offered with current MoT and Swansea V5 registration document, this superbly turned-out machine represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fine sporting motorcycle of the late Vintage era, belonging to one of the most charismatic marques of the day.