From modest beginnings Birmingham's Goodman brothers created a marque that was renowned for its quality and engineering expertise. These were machines for the discerning sporting rider and aspiring racer who appreciated such features.
From Two-stroke to Overhead-camshaft
Their early designs were centred on a range of lightweight two-strokes that offered economy and ease of operation. However in 1925 they took the bold step of switching to a high-performance overhead-camshaft 350. The Model K incorporated a range of design features that were unique to Velocette, and a measure of their soundness was reflected in the lengthy production run of the ‘cammy’ Velo.
Multi-wins at the Isle of Man
Percy and Eugene Goodman were keen advocates of ‘racing improving the breed’, and in 1925 the Model K made its Isle of Man debut. This outing proved unsuccessful; but after modification to the oiling system they made a triumphant return in 1926, with Alec Bennett gaining first place ahead of Jimmy Simpson’s AJS in the Junior TT. It was a turning point in Velocette’s fortunes; for such was the demand for this superb machine that the factory was hard-pressed to cope with customer orders. Further success was achieved in 1928 when again Alec Bennett won the Junior TT; with Freddie Hicks victorious in 1929.
Debut of the KTT
A replica of the works models became available for the private owner; and designated as the Mark 1 KTT it would launch many aspiring riders on their racing career. Its potential was forcibly demonstrated at the 1930 Junior Manx Grand Prix when KTTs took the first eight places. Around that period Velocette’s engineering team was joined by Harold Willis; a capable rider and first-class engineer. He was also a fertile inventor of slang with his humorous reference to mechanical items. One of his more enterprising experiments was to supercharge the KTT; a particularly tricky feat on a four-stroke single. ’Whiffling Clara’ (as Willis nicknamed the machine) was tried in practice for the 1931 TT but never raced.
Success at the Ulster
Meanwhile an improved KTT, the Mk.IV, became available for the private owner; with Austin Munks taking first place at the 1933 Junior Manx Grand Prix. Despite their ongoing success in the early 1930s at the Manx, the KTT was not enjoying similar results at the TT. A 500cc version made an appearance at the 1934 TT series; in the hands of Irish rider Walter Rusk. He brought some renown to the firm with his third place in a wet and generally miserable Senior TT. Later in the season Rusk scored a memorable win at the Ulster Grand Prix with the new model, but success at the TT was proving elusive.
The Woods Influence
It was the Irish maestro Stanley Woods who was instrumental in restoring Velocette’s past glory. Following an invitation from Percy Goodman for Woods to sample their product at the 1935 TT he was brutally honest in his assessment: “It’s a fine motor,” he declared. “But the handling is poor and the gear ratios are all wrong.” Velocette were prepared to accept Woods’ appraisal and during the 1935/36 off-season these matters were addressed. The outcome was a completely changed machine; featuring pivoted-fork rear suspension controlled by oleomatic dampers and twin-camshaft valve operation.
A Mixed Result at the TT
During practice for the 1936 TT the 350 model proved extremely fast; so much that Woods expected to win in a canter, but sadly he was forced to retire with problems in the camshaft drive on his first race lap. Ted Mellors on another twin-cam finished in third place behind the works Nortons of Frith and White, which was of some consolation for the firm. There was a somewhat better result in the Senior TT, with Woods making fastest lap and finishing second behind Jimmie Guthrie’s Norton. Only for a bout of misfiring in the closing stages Woods was well placed to win the prestigious Senior TT. To Woods’ dismay Harold Willis abruptly abandoned the new twin-cam arrangement; in Woods’ opinion its problems could well have been rectified.
Success at the TT
In 1938 Woods scored a comprehensive win and fastest lap at the Junior TT, (thus giving Velocette their first win since Freddie Hicks in 1929) with Ted Mellors backing up in second place. Once again Woods was second in a hard-fought Senior TT, splitting the Norton duo of Daniell and Frith. That same year the KTT had progressed to the Mk.VII version, which inherited the work’s machine’s mechanicals but still retained a rigid frame. Only a small batch were sold in 1938, for in 1939 it was replaced by the iconic Mk.VIII, which inherited the spring frame and other features of the works models.
A Memorable Season
In 1939 Woods repeated his 1938 victory in the Junior TT; with the majority of other finishers riding their new Mk.VIIIs. But any joy for Velocette was saddened by the death of Harold Willis, following complications after surgery. It also saw the first win in the Senior TT by a foreign rider on a foreign machine; in this instance Georg Meier on the supercharged BMW. The final event in the 1939 calendar was the Ulster Grand Prix where Stanley Woods scored a masterly 350cc win, while the Senior event was dominated by Serafini on the supercharged Gilera Rondine.
Only days later war was declared; bringing an end to all forms of motor sport for seven weary years. It was a bitter outcome for many riders and sadly some; including the mercurial Walter Rusk were destined not to welcome the peace when it finally arrived.
Credit reference:
Classic Motorcycles Vic Willoughby (Hamlyn Publishing Group 1976)
Velocette Ivan Rhodes Osprey Publishing 1990
Murray McLeod - Murray has maintained an involvement in the arts for many years and for a time he operated his own gallery at Mt., Tamborine overlooking ...
Join the Conversation