1959 Mitsubishi C74 Silver Pigeon, Frame no. 59-074-100171 Engine no. NE-9M 00514

1959 Mitsubishi C74 Silver Pigeon
Frame no. 59-074-100171
Engine no. NE-9M 00514
The Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon was made in Japan by 'Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, Reorganized Ltd, Nagoya Engineering Works' between 1946 and 1963. The first series, the C10, was an American design adopted by the Japanese which gradually morphed into an all-Japanese design. At the end of production it was determined that near 464,000 units had been produced over more than a dozen models over nearly 15 years. A phenomenon. The Silver Pigeon's earliest primary domestic competitor was the Fuji Rabbit followed by the Honda Juno in 1954 although the Pigeon held more than 40% of the market. 'Motor scooters were so important to the post-war vehicle industry that in May 1948 both a Silver Pigeon and a Rabbit were presented to the Emperor of Japan. Motor Cyclist magazine voted it 'best in styling' for three consecutive years in the 1950s.

American retailer Montgomery Ward bought six different models of the Silver Pigeon via the Rockford Scooter Company, Illinois to be sold in their catalog. At least one of them was labeled the Riverside Miami. This restored Silver Pigeon – believed to be a C74 model with a fan-cooled 200cc 4-stroke motor with about 4.9 horsepower and centrifugal clutch 'under the seat' - is possibly not a Riverside product but a special import. And possibly not stock. Its provenance is unclear for there is no history file, however the quality of its restoration appears very good.