A rare piece of British motorcycle history is about to change hands. A 1938 Osborn Engineering Company (OEC) with a JAP engine will soon be auctioned, offering collectors the opportunity to acquire a true two-wheeled icon.
Founded in 1915, OEC left an indelible mark on the motorcycle industry. The model in question, a 1938 OEC 1000 OHV JAP, is equipped with a 998cc V-twin engine produced by J.A. Prestwich (JAP). This Hampshire-based company is famous for breaking the world land speed record in the 1930s with a supercharged 1000cc motorcycle.
The auction, conducted by Iconic Auctioneers, will take place in Birmingham on November 10th. What makes this motorcycle particularly special is its rarity: only four units were manufactured, originally for the Road Research Laboratory, with the purpose of testing British road surfaces.
Registered in 1938 with the number EUC 23, which it still retains, this OEC was initially built with a sidecar equipped with a “skidding wheel” to assess road conditions. After being retired from service by the Ministry of Transport in the 1960s, the motorcycle underwent several transformations.
The original engine was removed and installed in a Brough Superior SS100. In 1966, the motorcycle was acquired by David Blanchard, who kept it for 45 years. After his death in 2011, the vehicle underwent a preservation rebuild, which included the installation of a correct 1000cc JAP V-twin engine for the model. Additionally, it was restyled to resemble the 1931 OEC ‘Flying Squad’ models.
The lot includes an extensive historical archive, containing receipts, correspondence, photographs, articles, an old RF60 logbook, and outdated V5 documents.
This sale represents a unique opportunity for classic motorcycle enthusiasts to acquire a tangible piece of British motorcycle history, with a fascinating provenance and an extraordinary life journey.
Source: Visordown