Royal Enfield Motorcycles 160 1911
Royal Enfield’s origins date back to the turn of the century when a small light engineering firm George Townsend & Co based in Redditch, Worcestershire moved into bicycle manufacture and motorcycles around 1900.
By 1904 the firm was concentrating on car production, resuming its association with motorcycles in 1910 with a 2.25hp V twin Motosacoche-powered lightweight.
It wasn’t until 1913 that Enfield introduced its own V twin in the form of a 425cc inlet-over-exhaust motor which they also successfully raced in a 350cc form.
This very rare Motosacoche-powered Royal Enfield V twin veteran was purchased at auction in the UK from the estate of one Robert (Bob) Alfred Samson. Bob Samson and his Enfield twin were regular participants in veteran events, taking part in the famous Pioneer Motorcycle Run in 1958, 1959 and 1960, the VMCC’s 4th TT Rally and the Banbury Run in 1959, the 1960 Easter Parade in Battersea Park and the VMCC’s 6th Midland Region Cavalcade in 1962.
Nicknamed “Slim Jim” this Enfield was last used in 1962 (a tax disc dated Feb 1961 is still attached) and the bike has only recently come to light after the owner’s death in 2007. It was restored in the 1950’s but now could possibly require a full restoration again after 40 plus years out of use, or is it nicer being presented in its current form?
The bike has a dating certificate issued by the Sunbeam MCC Pioneer (certificate number 370) issued in 1958 recording the manufacture date of 1911. We are advised, however, that certain features suggest a date of 1910 could be more accurate.