c.1957 BSA 500cc 'Gold Star'
Registration no. HJT 403
Frame no. CB32 11126 (see text)
Engine no. DBD34GS 2297

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. 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. This example was restored by a previous owner in the late 1980s having previously been registered in Jersey. Little used thereafter, it was acquired by the current vendor in 2000 and since then has been kept in dry storage and not ridden. Re-commissioning will be required before it returns to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of two expired MoT certificates; sales invoice, receipt and related correspondence (1987); engine brake test report (copy); and an old-style V5. It should be noted that the frame number has been ground off and re-stamped.