Property of a deceased's estate
1959 BSA 499cc Gold Star
Registration no. BSL 687
Frame no. CB32 8232
Engine no. DBD34GS 4312

On Wednesday 30th June 1937, a specially prepared Empire Star 500 ridden by the great Wal Handley achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands circuit on its way to a debut race victory and award of the 'Gold Star' that would give BSA's new super sports model its evocative name. Possibly the most successful production racing motorcycle ever, the post-war Gold Star formed the mainstay of Clubman's racing in the 1950s. In fact, it was the model's domination of the Isle of Man Clubman's TT which led to the event being dropped after Gold Star rider Bernard Codd's 1956 Senior/Junior double victory. While its trials and scrambles derivatives demonstrated the design's versatility by chalking up an equally impressive record in off-road competition, for the majority of enthusiasts the 500cc DBD34 in Clubman's trim is the epitome of the 'Goldie'. The DBD, the ultimate road going 500 Gold Star, appeared in 1956 when the famous RRT2 close-ratio gearbox and 190mm front brake became standard equipment. From then on BSA's perennially popular sporting single changed little until its much-lamented demise in 1963. Today, the Gold Star remains one of the most highly sought after of post-war British motorcycles and is supported by a most enthusiastic owners' club.

Documentation on file reveals that this 'matching numbers' DBD34 Gold Star in Clubman's trim was restored by marque specialist Len Haggis in 1999 and on completion sold to Mr John Edward Higgins of Blackthorn, Oxfordshire. It was next owned (from March 2003) by Mr Stephen Payne of Arlesey followed by Mr David Scott of Witney from 2006 to 2012 when it was acquired by the late owner. There is no record of its history prior to 1999. Described as in generally excellent condition, the machine is offered with Len Haggis correspondence, copies of old Swansea V5 documents, Gold Star Owners Club dating letter, sundry invoices, a quantity of MoT certificates (most recent expired 26th June 2013), current road fund licence and Swansea V5C.