Velocette Thruxton production figures
I’m looking to buy a Velocette Thruxton which a friend has offered me. Can you tell me how many were made, over what period, and how do I identify it as a Thruxton, other than by appearance and history, of which I have lots.
Adam Clarkson, email, Home Counties.
During the early 1960s, Velocette dealers L Stevens Ltd, 147/149/151 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 developed a range of accessories, or, if you’d rather, aftermarket bolt-on goodies for the Velocette 500cc Venom and 350cc Viper. Many were intended to convert the already fast for a 500cc single-cylinder Venom into a faster road machine or racer. Some such modified Velos were raced with success.
Reg Orpin, then workshop manager at Stevens, built what he thought would be a marketable, over the counter racer with road-going equipment, using as his starting point a 38bhp@6200rpm Venom Clubman engine, Venom chassis and close ratio gearbox. Whether Reg was encouraged to do this by L Stevens Ltd, Veloce themselves, or on his own volition, is lost in myths, folklore and time. What is certain is this machine was taken to Veloce Ltd, Hall Green Works, York Road, Hall Green, Birmingham 28 for consideration. It is accepted Velocette’s Bertie Goodman worked this model into the 42bhp @ 6200rpm Thruxton, with Amal 1⅜GP set downdraught, close ratio gearing, two inch inlet valve, more robust crankcases, rear sets, hump back dual seat, stylish finish, tls front brake and more.
The Thruxton was unveiled at the 1964 London Show (Earls Court) and entered production in early summer 1965.
It is believed a shade over 1100 Thruxtons were built 1965-1970 – production figures imply 1108. In only
1965 did Venom production outstrip the Thuxton and for all following years, more Thruxtons were made than any other single cylinder Velocette model. One would expect the frame number to bear the prefix ‘RS’ (Rear Sprung/Springing) and the engine number will be prefixed VMT (VenoM Thruxton). It’s worth noting frames were made and then stored until required thus weren’t necessarily used in sequence.
Although you don’t want any details published, from the sight of documents I’ve seen, your machine matches in detail its original sales invoice with regard to all numbers, thus unless some soul has done the unthinkable all seems true to me, but I’m certainly not a Velocette expert, so if you are unsure please check with an appropriate specialist.