New Imperial Motorcycles New Imperial De Luxe 46 1936
New Imperial was the builder of the last British made machine to win the Lightweight 250cc TT on the Isle of Man in 1936.
The New Imperial marque was unsurpassed for innovation during the 1930s introducing models featuring their own design of pivoted fork rear suspension along with unitary construction of the engine and gear box.
New Imperial could trace its roots back to a cycle company bought by Norman Downs in 1900. Early motorcycles adopted Precision and JAP engines and in the 1920s the company concentrated its racing efforts on the 250cc class, particularly on the racing friendly Isle of Man, winning the 250cc class in 1921, 1924 and 1925. In the late 1920s New Imperial had come of age and abandoned proprietary engines in favour of well-engineered power units of its own manufacture.
This 344cc Model 46 Deluxe with its all new overhead valve engine in unit construction with the gearbox was introduced in the 1936 season. In 1937 it introduced its own sprung frame design for the model 46. It was perceived that the New Imperial Model 46 Deluxe was for the discerning motorcyclist, rather like the Brough Superior, but not so expensive.
Deluxe versions of the 46 were offered with foot change gear box options, mag/dyno ignition/lighting, chromium plated tank and valance guards. Production of this model was curtailed upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1939.
This stunningly presented example, purchased from auction in 2009, was restored about 15 years ago and garnered many Concours d’Elegance awards at shows in the UK