1956 Velocette 349cc Viper, Registration no. not UK registered Frame no. RS15691 Engine no. VR3308

Important Collectors' Motorcycles and Spares
1956 Velocette 349cc Viper
Registration no. not UK registered
Frame no. RS15691
Engine no. VR3308
Velocette's initial TT victory would not be until the junior race of 1926 with Alec Bennett aboard the firm's radical overhead-camshaft four-stroke Model. Having been firmly committed to two-stroke engines up to this point, the Bennett victory sealed Velocette's change of tack, and thenceforth the company's future would be forever linked mainly to four-strokes.

In 1956, the Viper and Venom sports models were introduced in 350 and 500 capacities to enliven the model range, which, by 1955 had become somewhat staid in character. This move succeeded in reviving sales a little, and no doubt led to the subsequent introduction of the Clubman models in 1960, and eventually the ultimate overhead valve sports model, the Thruxton, in the hope that Velocette's fortunes could be improved.
RS15691appears to be an older restoration, and is fitted with a later Amal Concentric carburettor. Nothing is known of the history of RS15691 which is part of a private collection of machines.

There are no documents or keys present; the machine will require safety checks and re-commissioning, and is sold strictly as viewed. We have no knowledge of its mechanical condition, except that the engine turns over. Prospective bidders should satisfy themselves as to the age, completeness and originality of the machine, together with the vintage and compatibility of its component parts prior to bidding.