The Vintage Motorcycles
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Velocette was one of the most respected British motorcycle manufacturers of the twentieth century. Based in Birmingham, England, the company became famous for producing high-quality motorcycles with advanced engineering and exceptional racing performance.
Unlike many large manufacturers, Velocette remained a relatively small company. However, its motorcycles earned an outstanding reputation among riders and racers thanks to their reliability, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Velocette motorcycles achieved major success in international racing events, particularly the Isle of Man TT, and many of the company's models are now considered highly desirable collector machines.
| Model | Production Years | Engine Type | Capacity | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velocette K Series | 1925-1948 | Single-cylinder overhead cam | 350cc | Sport / Racing |
| Velocette KTT | 1928-1949 | Single-cylinder OHC | 350cc | Racing |
| Velocette MAC | 1933-1965 | Single-cylinder OHV | 350cc | Road / Touring |
| Velocette MSS | 1935-1971 | Single-cylinder OHV | 500cc | Touring |
| Velocette Venom | 1955-1970 | Single-cylinder OHV | 500cc | Sport |
| Velocette Thruxton | 1965-1971 | Single-cylinder OHV | 500cc | Cafe racer / Sport |
| Velocette LE | 1948-1970 | Flat twin | 149cc - 200cc | Utility / Police |
The Velocette company originated from Veloce Ltd., founded by John Goodman in Birmingham in the early twentieth century. The company initially produced small motorcycles and engines but gradually developed more advanced designs.
By the 1920s Velocette had become known for its innovative engineering and attention to mechanical detail. Many of its motorcycles used overhead camshaft engines, which were relatively advanced for their time.
Production Years: 1925-1948
Engine: single-cylinder overhead camshaft
Displacement: approximately 350cc
The K Series motorcycles represented one of the earliest successful overhead camshaft designs used in production motorcycles. These machines combined good performance with excellent reliability and quickly gained popularity among riders and racers.
The engineering principles developed for the K Series later influenced many other Velocette models.
Production Years: 1928-1949
Engine: single-cylinder overhead camshaft
Displacement: 350cc
The KTT was Velocette's famous racing motorcycle and became one of the most successful competition machines of the interwar period. These motorcycles were used extensively in racing events including the Isle of Man TT.
The KTT introduced several advanced engineering features including positive-stop gear shifting, which later became standard on many motorcycles.
Production Years: 1933-1965
Engine: overhead valve single-cylinder
Displacement: 350cc
The MAC became one of Velocette's most popular road motorcycles. Designed as a reliable and practical touring machine, the MAC offered smooth performance and strong durability.
Many riders appreciated the model for its comfortable riding characteristics and efficient fuel consumption.
Production Years: 1935-1971
Engine: overhead valve single-cylinder
Displacement: 500cc
The MSS was the larger-capacity touring version of Velocette's single-cylinder motorcycles. It provided greater power and was well suited for long-distance riding.
Like many Velocette machines, the MSS was carefully engineered and built to a high standard of mechanical quality.
Production Years: 1955-1970
Engine: single-cylinder overhead valve
Displacement: 500cc
The Venom became one of the most famous Velocette motorcycles. In 1961 a Venom set a remarkable endurance record by maintaining an average speed of over 100 miles per hour for 24 hours at the Montlhery circuit in France.
This achievement demonstrated the exceptional durability and performance of Velocette engineering.
Production Years: 1965-1971
Engine: single-cylinder overhead valve
Displacement: 500cc
The Thruxton was a high-performance version of the Venom designed for sporting riders and cafe racer enthusiasts. It featured improved engine tuning, higher compression, and other performance enhancements.
The model became popular among British cafe racer riders during the 1960s and remains highly sought after by collectors today.
Production Years: 1948-1970
Engine: flat twin
Displacement: 149cc - 200cc
The Velocette LE was a completely different type of motorcycle compared with the company's sporting machines. It used a water-cooled flat twin engine and enclosed bodywork designed to keep the rider clean.
This model became widely used by British police forces and earned the nickname "Noddy Bike" because police officers riding them would nod to one another while on patrol.
Velocette motorcycles achieved remarkable success in racing competitions throughout the early and mid-twentieth century. The company won multiple Isle of Man TT races and became known for producing highly competitive single-cylinder racing machines.
These racing successes helped establish Velocette as one of the most respected motorcycle manufacturers in Britain.
Although the company eventually ceased motorcycle production in the early 1970s, Velocette motorcycles remain highly admired by collectors and enthusiasts. Their engineering quality, racing history, and distinctive British character continue to make them some of the most respected vintage motorcycles ever built.
Velocette is a historic British motorcycle manufacturer and is featured in our guides to British vintage motorcycle brands as well as our complete overview of vintage motorcycle manufacturers by country, covering major global motorcycle industries from 1900 to 1980.
Vincent, Ariel, BSA, Royal Enfield, Coventry Eagle, Douglas, Excelsior, Matchless, New Map, Norton, Rudge, Sunbeam, and Triumph, all of which played a major role in British motorcycle racing and engineering development.
Motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors looking for rare and classic machines can explore our vintage motorcycles for sale and discover a curated selection of historic and collectible bikes.
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