very rare 1956 Velosolex 660 barn find project

I am selling this lovely Velosolex project. It is a rare 1956 660 model that has had just two owners from new. I bought it from the Grandson of the original owner. The 660 was the first of the round frame models after the very expensive swan neck 330. The velosolex was invented in 1946 to get the French population mobile again after the war. It was very popular with over 12 million being built. It was ridden in the 50`s and 60`s by such people as Brigitte Bardot and Steve McQueen! There is now an excellent Velosolex club in the UK where they have become very popular being very practical and economical (200 mpg). Appearing in the Mr Bean on holiday film helped too!

This bike was purchased new in the town of Romorantin Larthenay in the Cher valley. famous as the home of the Matra formula one factory (there is still a museum there) by an employee to commute to work. Velosolex had an arrangement with Matra to sell employees bikes on a very good hire purchase arrangement. There are photos in the museum showing the employees bike park full of Solexes. I was given one of the owners original Matra work jackets which i will include with the bike as i think they should stay together. (see photos)

The bike itself is a project that needs some work. The three main things to mention are the stand which is broken about half way down. If you can weld it could be repaired or you can find a second hand one via one of the many Solex specialists on the internet. The black plastic headlamp surround is also broken but the rare headlamp is fine. The back light is cracked but these are not difficult to find and reproduction ones are also available.

The rest of the bike is quite tidy although after some years storage it has plenty of signs of use and age. The chrome is quite good as found and will clean up even better. The engine turns over fine with excellent compression although i have made no attempt to start the bike. It will almost certainly need the fuel system cleaning out and a new membrane in the fuel pump. There will be some other bits and pieces that need doing as with any project. How far you go with a renovation is up to the new owner. It would make a nice oily rag bike or fully renovated.

It has a lovely set of original engine crash bars that are specific to this model and very difficult to find. The very rare petrol tank and flywheel cover are in excellent condition. The bike has its original tool box with proper solex tyre levers as shown in the last photo. The saddle is the correct original one and has a bit od damage but is usable. The tyres were inflated when i collected the bike but are now flat so both inner tubes will need replacing as will the tyres as they are very old.

Please note that the bike is at present in the town of Chabris in the Indre department (36) of central France. For a price of ?40 i can arrange delivery to the Worthing area on the south coast  a few days after the end of the auction. Other delivery destinations are available but please email me for a price. Alternatively you are welcome to come to France to collect the bike and i will offer the winning bidder one nights free accommodation in our B&B.

Payment is by cleared sterling cheque or bank transfer if you are having the bike delivered or by cash on collection if you are collecting the bike from Worthing or France.

Any questions please email or call from the UK on 0033 254051245.

Also published at eBay.com