VELOCETTE - Lot 42

VELOCETTE Motorcycle KTT Mk VIII 350 cc 4-stroke vertical single-cylinder 1939 This exceptional motorcycle has been in the collection for a long time. It is in very good original condition, but will need a major overhaul before it can be put back on the road. This is the motorcycle of pilot Georges HOUEL, recognized by himself when purchased by our collector in 1988. The engine number was erased by Georges HOUEL to avoid paying import taxes at the time, as was the case for many competition vehicles. It won a great many victories at the time, both in France and abroad. The final development of the Velocette KTT, the Mk VIII KTT was introduced in 1938 at the Earls Court Show. Following the introduction of swingarm rear suspension to the factory racing team in 1937, Velocette introduced the Mark VIII KTT in 1938, which was the first production motorcycle to use a swingarm with closed suspension units ('shock absorbers'), albeit an oleopneumatic system, using air as the spring medium, and not spring/oil shock absorbers as adopted by the post-war motorcycle (and automotive) industry. The system was developed by designer Harold WILLIS for Velocette, who was flying a light aircraft equipped with Oleo struts. He contacted the Oleo company for a special pair of air shocks, which were used by Velocette for their factory racing bikes from 1937 and appeared on the production KTT Mark VIII in 1938. Production of the Velocette Mark VIII KTT ended in 1949, with around 238 models built. Nearly 1,000 KTTs were produced in total between 1929 and 1950. The Mark VIII KTT was offered from 1938 to 1950, after which Velocette closed its racing department. The Velocette KTT won the TT in 1928 / 1929 / 1938 / 1939 / 1947 / 1948. In 1946, Georges HOUEL, attracted by speed, gave up rugby to devote himself entirely to motorcycle racing. In May, he scored his first major victory, the Grand Prix du Bois de Boulogne. He then decided to team up with Jean BEHRA from Nice. This successful partnership lasted until 1951. The end of 1948 was probably his best season, in which he accumulated successes. He was awarded the "Casque d'Or" (Golden Helmet) by Moto Revue, a popular and fashionable magazine. It was a successful year, as his team-mate Jean BEHRA became French Champion. So, after several seasons of winning everything in France, and with nothing left to prove, the pair headed abroad, where they were handsomely remunerated with huge bonuses. They went on to shine all over Europe, winning international title after international title. In Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Czechoslovakia. In short, they triumphed everywhere and became much sought-after heroes... When it wasn't "Jojo" who won, it was Jean. To you, to me! Georges' best memory is undoubtedly his victory in Scandinavia. 1st in the Swedish Grand Prix on a Gilera. He was also 1st on Velocette in 1947 at Vesoul and Albi, and in Montlhery in 1950, winning the 350 category. It was in 1954 that he decided to follow in the footsteps of his friend Jeannot BEHRA, who had switched to cars. He took part in his very first rally with him, the Sestriere Rally, back in 1951: "I quickly got hooked. I wanted to travel the world and take part in the most famous rallies. And just as he did on two wheels, it wasn't long before Georges began to shine, building up an impressive list of honours. He took part everywhere. Monte Carlo, Liège-Sofia-Liège, Rallye de Sestrières, Spain, Italy. Le Touquet. Rallye des Dolomites. Liège-Rome-Liège, Coupe des Alpes. And, of course, he's a regular on all the national events. From the Rallye de Dax to the Côte Fleurie, not forgetting the Routes du Nord, Lorraine and Charbonnière. He can be seen everywhere. For two decades, he was a regular on the rally circuit. His first rally, in Monte Carlo, was in 1952, and he took part 17 times, the last in 1999. Co-driver at the Tour Auto in 1956 with Sterling MOSS, on a Mercedes 300SL. He took part in the Paris-Dakar several times, with a Renault 30 for the first edition in 1978, and also opened 13 restaurants, including his latest, "Le Volant". In a 2009 interview with the excellent "Z'Humeurs et Rumeurs" website, Georges HOUEL explained how he managed to bring motorcycles to France without having to go through the importer and import taxes: he would leave France for England with a wrecked Velocette and the corresponding registration papers, then return with a racing Velocette! This explains the filed-down engine number on the KTT.