This is an email between me and a gentleman called Lauren who was enquiring about a Velocette.
Laurent sent on 2014/10/21
Hello Terence, We spoke on the phone about a Velocette that has been left behind in my house! I would like to know which model it is and roughly the cost of restoring it. My grandfather had one in the 1930s so it’d be extra special for my 82 year old mother to see! I attach lots of pictures of the bike in several emails
Many thanks, Laurent.
Terry sent On 2014/10/22
Hi Laurent, it looks you have a very rare model “U Velocette”. Your one is dated between 1927 to 1930. they were very fast for the era and were very expensive to buy. Velocette also subtly modified the model U for the TT races this became the GTP in 1930. Your pictures show a very rusty one. Just to put things in perspective if you were to get the forks rebuilt by a girder fork specialist, you would be looking at a £1000 plus delivery and VAT. Parts are available for this model but they are very difficult to source. Anything that is unobtainable, we can make. It is so difficult to put a price on your restoration as it is in such poor condition and so difficult to assess from pictures but I bet your bottom dollar any other restorer would be looking at between £8000 and £13000. Your model sold at Bonham’s auction for £4025 not including premiums and vat in 2008. Prices have been accumulating at 6% per year bringing a sale price on a reasonable restored one to about £9500. I would guess, if I were to point you in the right direction for spare parts and you were to supply them during the restoration you would be looking at a restoration cost of around £5500- £7500. I recon your outlay for parts would be in the order of £1000 to £1500. This is the best and most honest info I can give.
Very kind regards, Terry Ives.
Laurent sent On 2014/10/22
Thank You Terry for your detailed and informative reply, which has given me plenty to think about. I’m sure that with my home renovation costs I won’t be able to afford A bike restoration project but I have a friend who can. If he takes it on I’ll send him your way for sure. I’ll share your email information with him and we will see what develops and I will keep you in the loop!
