1968 Velocette Venom Thruxston Motorcycle

Description

The Venom and Viper series Velocettes can be traced back to 1955, the two models being of 500cc and 350cc respectively. The Venom was also offered in Clubman configuration, with a four-gallon tank, and from this the legendary Thruxton was developed by Reg Orpin. Named after the success achieved in the 24-Hour race at the circuit, the Thruxton was introduced at the 1964 Earls Court Show and was a super-tuned sports model based on a Clubman specification engine and gearbox with a close-ratio TT gearbox. In turn, updated Mark II Venom and Viper Clubmans were introduced in 1966 with many Thruxton features. The final victory for this famous old name came in the 1967 Production TT when local Neil Kelly won on an MSS. Sadly, Velocette was in serious decline by the late 1960s and the company went into liquidation on the 4th of February, 1971. Production was already dwindling when the bike on offer was made - in 1968 just 1108 V.M.T. motorcycles left the Birmingham works, making this a very rare machine indeed.