The ex-works, Joe Johnson, 1963 Greeves 246cc 24MDS Scrambler

The ex-works, Joe Johnson
1963 Greeves 246cc 24MDS Scrambler
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 24MDS813
Engine no. none visible
As an established engine builder, Greeves was able to survive while many rivals disappeared, along with the supply of Villiers engines, in the late 1960s. From then on the Thundersley-based company concentrated on its successful off-road competition models. First introduced for the 1958 season, the 'Hawkstone' scrambler and 'Scottish' trials iron used the 197cc Villiers 9E engine to begin with. Versions powered by the new 246cc 31A engine joined the range for 1959, the scrambler being distinguished by radially finned 'paddle' hubs as standard. The Hawkstone was updated with the 34A engine for 1960, at the same time gaining a beefier cast-alloy frame fitted with taper-roller head bearings, and boasting a stiffer and wider rear sub-frame. The following year Greeves' own alloy cylinder barrel and 'head debuted on the 24MCS 'Moto-Cross Special', the 24SCS Hawkstone continuing to use the Villiers cast-iron barrel. In 1962, the MCS gained a modified frame, full-width alloy hubs, and a slightly more powerful engine, becoming the 24MDS.

This 24MDS comes with a copy of the factory dispatch schedule showing that it was allocated to works rider Joe Johnson (the machine immediately above it was earmarked for Bryan 'Badger' Goss). This Greeves also comes with a photocopied page from Off-Road Review (July/August 1993 edition) reproducing a photograph of Johnson (with this machine) and Goss at a Weymouth scramble in 1963.