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2008 Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction
Lot
11

1938 Rudge 'Special' Motorcycle with Dusting Sidecar

$20,000

melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine Single cylinder, 600cc
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Colour Black
Trim Maroon

Description

This lot is no longer available

Rudge-Whitworth's prototype motorcycle, a 499cc powered machine, first appeared in 1910 and production was in full swing during the pre-First World War era, helped in no small part by Rudge's successes on the track in both competition and record breaking. The model range was expanded to include twins as well as singles in the Twenties and further race wins - the highlights being Graham Walker's triumph in the 1928 Ulster Grand Prix and Tyrell Smith's famous victory in the 1930 Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, kept sales booming. However, the Depression hit hard and financial woes meant times were tough for the company during the Thirties, with the closure of the racing department in 1933 as the receivers moved in. Rudge was ultimately taken over by the Gramophone Company Ltd., part of the HMV empire (renamed EMI in 1938) and production shifted south to Hayes, Middlesex in 1938. By this time, the 500cc model featured an engine redesigned with fully enclosed cylinder heads but production of Rudge motorcycles ceased in December 1939, with EMI turning to the production of radios, radar and other equipment during the Second World War.