AJS Model D

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Joe Stevens had been manufacturing engines in Wolverhampton from 1897, but it was his sons Harry, Jack, George and Joe who developed the first AJS motorcycle in 1909, featuring a 298cc engine of their own design.

This was quickly followed by 346cc and 498cc engines in both side valve and OHV configurations. The 346cc was one of the first English machines with OHV and it soon gained a reputation for being a fast and well-made machine. Later AJS were to produce OHC racing engines with chain driven camshafts and special V-twin engines for assault on the various world speed records.

The glory days of AJS were the 1920s with many of their machines recording wins in the most prestigious races around the globe, however the hard times of the late 20s saw the AJS factory and designs sold off to the Collier brothers in London who produced the rival Matchless machine. From the early 30s onwards the name AJS was mainly used on badge-engineered products from the Matchless stable, differing little from their counterparts other than cosmetically.

This 1924 AJS V-twin side valve Model D is exhibiting the patina of long term storage but looks all the better for it, being a very correct example of the marque. It comes with an old RF60 logbook issued in 1950 showing its original registration date of 26th March 1924, plus a letter from 1950 when the then-owner contacted the AMC company for machine details.

Other documents include a magazine article and a postcard depicting similar machines while some tank transfers are also present. The accompanying V5C confirms the Kent-issued KK 9166 registration and there are no notes to say this registration is not transferable.