BSA M21 AA sidecar combination

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Introduced in 1937, BSA’s ‘M’ range of machines were the workhorses of the range intended for the sidecar market.

The side valve M20 and the bigger M21 (as here) fulfilled this role admirably, being one of the motorcycles chosen for war time use and proving to be the equivalent of today’s ‘white van’ with small delivery men after the war. Production of the M20 ceased after 1955 but the M21 was on sale to the public until the end of 1958 but remained available to AA patrols right up until 1963 when they opted for minivans instead.

The distinctive yellow livery stood out from the subdued blue of the RAC and quite apart from its role as a knight in shining armour, it was a great advert for the AA, being a common and reassuring sight on the roads of 50s and 60s Britain.

First registered in May 1961, this M21 comes resplendent in full AA livery and is a M20S version with sprung plunger rear ideal for combination use, its lusty 600cc side valve engine able to propel rider and toolkit to the aid of the stricken motorist, 24-hours-a-day.

The last MOT on file is for 1994, when the outfit was presumably last in use, and it has been on display at the Stondon Museum since 1997. Once recommissioned and back on the road, this striking yellow machine offers all sorts of possibilities, not jonly as a great promotional tool but also the chance to get you into period drama in the TV or film worlds, perhaps. It will certainly get the new owner noticed although they might do well to brush up on their spannering skills for that inevitable day when someone flags them down...