Issue 52: Unusual AJS engine number

I previously asked about the AJS crankcases stamped with a rather unusual engine number DR026008CAL. AJS enthusiast Luke Wise contacted me and gave an explanation as he had previously read about this type of number. It transpires that this would have been a new set of replacement cases which initially would not have had an engine number. He explains that DR stands for Department of Roads, then the numbers after which are the letters CAL for the State of California. As this is where those cases were located then I have no doubt that this is a logical explanation. See you next issue, Pete