The ex-Phil Heath Brooklands Special, 1930 AJS 495cc R10 Racing Motorcycle
? Rare pre-war overhead-camshaft racer
? Extensively campaigned in VMCC events
? Restored by the Sammy Miller Museum
? Formerly part of the Autokraft Collection
In 1927 AJS's works 350cc racers appeared with a new overhead-camshaft engine. The camshaft was chain driven, its distinctive cast alloy case extending forwards to the front-mounted magneto. A catalogued model from 1928, the 'cammy' AJS was built in 350 and 500cc capacities initially, dry-sump lubrication being an unusual feature of the engines, which were carried in open diamond frames. Along with the rest of the range the camshaft models received saddle tanks with purple side panels for 1929. A 250cc version followed, Jimmy Guthrie winning the Lightweight TT on one in 1930. Production ceased with the Matchless takeover in 1931.
This example of the rare AJS R10 overhead-cam 500 was purchased by well-known ex-racer and journalist Phil Heath in 1956 and used by him for VMCC races, hill climbs, and sprints until 1969. A certificate from the 1962 Ramsey Sprint is on file, recording Phil's 14.78 seconds run along 440 yards of Ramsey Promenade, together with a Bemsee journal of 1959 depicting Phil and the AJS competing at Shelsley Walsh on the front cover.
In 1988, 'FPH' ? to use his journalistic by-line - recalled that the machine was found to have a 'non-standard' engine incorporating a lengthened con-rod, cylinder barrel, and camshaft drive case. Enquiries to ex-AJS works rider George Rowley and Dr Joe Bayley revealed that the engine was one built for the Nigel Spring/Bert Denly entrant/rider partnership for racing and record-breaking at Brooklands, Denly regaining the hour record in 1930 on an AJS fitted with one of these engines. On dismantling, this engine was found to have a Martlet piston, an indication of its Brooklands ancestry. However, it should be noted that work by Spring and Denly resulted in the production overhead-cam models adopting long-stroke dimensions for 1930, the R10 changing to 79x101mm from the preceding M10's 84x90mm, and it is perhaps this difference which led to the conclusion that the engine was 'non-standard'.
The machine proved to be highly competitive in Heath's hands, setting fastest time of the day in Vintage hill climbs more than once and recording a best standing-quarter-mile time of 14.67 seconds. Subsequent to its sale by Heath, the bike was restored by the Sammy Miller Museum in 1988. There are photographs on file of Phil, Sammy, and the AJS at Sammy's museum together with correspondence relating to the restoration. Subsequently acquired by the Autokraft Collection, the AJS was sold when Brooks' auctioned the collection at the RAF Museum, Hendon in March 1999 (Lot 70).
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
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? Rare pre-war overhead-camshaft racer
? Extensively campaigned in VMCC events
? Restored by the Sammy Miller Museum
? Formerly part of the Autokraft Collection
In 1927 AJS's works 350cc racers appeared with a new overhead-camshaft engine. The camshaft was chain driven, its distinctive cast alloy case extending forwards to the front-mounted magneto. A catalogued model from 1928, the 'cammy' AJS was built in 350 and 500cc capacities initially, dry-sump lubrication being an unusual feature of the engines, which were carried in open diamond frames. Along with the rest of the range the camshaft models received saddle tanks with purple side panels for 1929. A 250cc version followed, Jimmy Guthrie winning the Lightweight TT on one in 1930. Production ceased with the Matchless takeover in 1931.
This example of the rare AJS R10 overhead-cam 500 was purchased by well-known ex-racer and journalist Phil Heath in 1956 and used by him for VMCC races, hill climbs, and sprints until 1969. A certificate from the 1962 Ramsey Sprint is on file, recording Phil's 14.78 seconds run along 440 yards of Ramsey Promenade, together with a Bemsee journal of 1959 depicting Phil and the AJS competing at Shelsley Walsh on the front cover.
In 1988, 'FPH' ? to use his journalistic by-line - recalled that the machine was found to have a 'non-standard' engine incorporating a lengthened con-rod, cylinder barrel, and camshaft drive case. Enquiries to ex-AJS works rider George Rowley and Dr Joe Bayley revealed that the engine was one built for the Nigel Spring/Bert Denly entrant/rider partnership for racing and record-breaking at Brooklands, Denly regaining the hour record in 1930 on an AJS fitted with one of these engines. On dismantling, this engine was found to have a Martlet piston, an indication of its Brooklands ancestry. However, it should be noted that work by Spring and Denly resulted in the production overhead-cam models adopting long-stroke dimensions for 1930, the R10 changing to 79x101mm from the preceding M10's 84x90mm, and it is perhaps this difference which led to the conclusion that the engine was 'non-standard'.
The machine proved to be highly competitive in Heath's hands, setting fastest time of the day in Vintage hill climbs more than once and recording a best standing-quarter-mile time of 14.67 seconds. Subsequent to its sale by Heath, the bike was restored by the Sammy Miller Museum in 1988. There are photographs on file of Phil, Sammy, and the AJS at Sammy's museum together with correspondence relating to the restoration. Subsequently acquired by the Autokraft Collection, the AJS was sold when Brooks' auctioned the collection at the RAF Museum, Hendon in March 1999 (Lot 70).
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
