Lot Ended
Description
Highly original with fabulous patina; good running order; few owners;
interesting history; believed one of only 300 made; transferable number
plate
First registered
in Cornwall in 1926, this New Hudson has had just two former keepers, according
to the V5C, and comes with some useful technical literature plus some
interesting correspondence relating the history of the bike (some of which is
shown in the photos).
It was supplied new by J
Wooldridge & Son of Launceston and was first owned by a landed Cornish
gent who apparently used it very lightly until the late-1940s when it was put
into a nice dry barn where it was to remain for many years (it still has a
1948 tax disc on the front forks).
It
was later discovered by another Cornish gent who rebuilt the engine with a
new crank and piston etc. and used it regularly over the next dozen years or so
to get to his workplace a few miles away.
It
subsequently appeared at an auction in c.2017 when it was acquired by a Ben
Langton, also of Cornwall, who rode it regularly to shows and
rallies.
Our vendor acquired the bike from Mr
Langton in September 2022 to join his collection of highly original classic cars
and motorcycles. He tells us that:
“I was
keen to buy this bike as my great grandfather Edward Wilson set up the New
Hudson Cycle company in 1900 and was the chairman for many years thereafter. I
haven’t ridden it much, but I did use it this summer until the timing chain
snapped and while I repaired it, I omitted to align the drive to the magneto
correctly, so although there is a terrific spark, it’s firing before rather
after compression so that will require attention.
I am only selling it because I don’t have the patience to fettle
these early bikes, even the more evolved
1920s flat tankers like this one, as Fifties and Sixties rocker bikes are
more my thing. As an aside, this bike retains its original (transferable)
Cornish-issue number plate which I have been told is worth at least a couple of
grand but I am loathe to separate the plate from the bike because that would
spoil the amazing originality and interesting history of this machine.”
As you can see in the photos, this New
Hudson is indeed strikingly original with its three-speed hand-change gearbox
and carbide lights. It comes with VMCC correspondence confirming that it is a
350cc Popular Sports model and is said to be extremely rare, one of only
around 300 made in 1926. The owner has also jotted down some useful
tips on starting and riding.
If our vendor's number plate
valuation is even vaguely accurate, someone could be getting this bike
for half price at the modest estimate suggested. Not that we
condone that sort of thing, obviously. As the saying goes: 'They are only
original once'...
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com