c1939 Velocette KTT Mark VIII Replica 350cc Race Bike

Description

One of the outstanding pre-war British motorcycles, the Model K and its many derivatives helped establish Velocette's reputation as being amongst the top motorcycle manufacturers in the country, following its introduction at the Olympia Show in 1924.  With an overhead-camshaft design, the single-cylinder four-stroke 350cc motor was mounted in a diamond-type frame and, with some development, became successful not only as a touring bike but excelled on the racetrack as well.  After scoring a win at the Tourist Trophy, race replicas were made available to the public -known as the KTT - confirming the old adage of racing improving the breed.  First sold in 1929, the KTT underwent a myriad of frame, engine and other changes throughout the 1930s, including the adoption of a four-speed gearbox in 1932.  In 1939 the ultimate development of the KTT, designated the Mark VIII, was unveiled and Stanley Woods rode one to victory in the Junior TT that year, his tenth and final win at the famous circuit.  A virtual clone of the works bikes of the previous year (with some key differences, notably the 9-inch square cylinder head of the production model), the Mark VIII was made available to a limited number of privateers in 1939.  The KTT continued to enjoy success on the track post-war, with Freddie Frith and Bob Foster taking out the 1949 and 1950 350cc World Championships.  To quote Ivan Rhodes' book on the subject “For sheer beauty of line, the Mk VIII KTT has few equals. With its long, deep petrol tank, high-level exhaust system and well-proportioned power unit, giving a slim frontal appearance, it is both functional and businesslike”.  Rhodes went on to say “If ever there was a 'classic' motorcycle, this is undoubtedly it.  Anything produced subsequent to it seemed to lack its fine drawn qualities.  One could almost have stopped the clock at that point in Veloce's history”. High praise indeed but collectors and enthusiasts around the world clearly concur with Rhode's words, as surviving KTTs are rarely offered on the open market and fetch serious money when they do.