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A.J. Stevens and Company manufactured motorcycles and cars in Wolverhampton, England, from 1909 to 1931 at which time the company was sold although the AJS name was used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers until 1969.

During the company’s existence, its motorcycles amassed 117 world records and an AJS 350cc single remains the only junior class motorcycle to ever win both the Junior and Senior Isle of Man TTs, which it did in 1921.

Unfortunately, AJS developed the S-3 as the Great Depression had its economic impact and the launch of the innovative model coincided with the company’s demise. Only ten were ever produced! It features a transverse, 50-degree, 498cc, side-valve V-twin with alloy cylinder heads and camshafts driven by a chain outside the front of the engine and tensioned by a Weller tensioner similar to those used on the company’s OHC racers. A bevel gear at the rear of the three-speed gearbox transferred drive to a fully-enclosed chain. Maximum speed was advertised as 65mph and its price was ₤65 with full electric lighting, a toolbox, a rear carrier and leather-fronted panniers.

This particular example was purchased new in Blenheim, New Zealand, in 1932 and by the late 1940s it was owned by one Peter Coleman, who used it as daily transport. Dave Roberts of NZ Classic Motorcycles recollects seeing it (along with a 741 Indian) in a fowl house in Toi Toi Valley, Nelson when he was eleven years old and had the job of mowing the lawns and maintaining the garden of a Mrs. Hannan. The bikes were apparently owned by her son. The lawns and garden proved to be too big a job for Dave and the work was taken over by one Peter Snell, who was later given the AJS as payment. It later languished in the basement of the Black Cat diary in Annesbrook, Nelson, and was eventually acquired by Alan Black, who painstakingly restored it over a period of eight years to the extent that he even dressed the burred, original nuts and bolts so that they could be reused. It won the 1989 New Zealand National Vintage Motorcycle Concourse d’ Elegance.

In 2008, this motorcycle was purchased by a motorcycle dealer in Louisiana, USA where it was kept on display until 2015 when NZ Classic Motorcycles brought it home to the region where its early owners had enjoyed riding it.

It is believed to be one of eight remaining in the world.