Velocette Classics Velocette Timeline

John Taylor (who was born Johannes Gütgemann and later formally changed his name to John Goodman), and his partner William Gue, use VELOCE as the name of Taylor, Gue Ltd's first motorcycle. Later the same year, John sets up his own firm of Veloce Limited to produce cycles and related products and services.

1905

A 2 H.P. Veloce is produced

1906

John's sons Percy and Eugene set up New Veloce Motors to make and market a Veloce Motor Car. The car does not go into production, and the company offers general engineering and various non-motorcycle products

1907

John's firm, Veloce Ltd, starts work on a new motorcycle, with engines to be supplied by his sons' company.

1908

The design of a 276 cc, 2 1/2 H.P. four-stroke motorcycle is complete, with many innovative features

1909

Sales of the 276 cc machine are slow, and a less advanced 499 cc side-valve machine is produced

1910

John Taylor takes British citizenship

1911

The 2 1/2 H.P. model begins to achieve some successes and a ladies model is produced

1912

The latest innovation - the "footstarter". And The Velocette 206 cc 2-stroke model is announced. The 1913 Velocette Brochure covers the machines and many of the innovative features developed in the company's brief history

1913

The Velocette is available as belt drive, or two-speed chain drive which was also available as a Ladies Model. Sidecars are added to the range of products produced by Veloce Ltd

1914

Only 2-stroke models are offered - the D1 and DL1, followed by the D2 and DL2

1919

The factory moves to Victoria Road, Aston, Birmingham. Three D2's enter the ACU Six Days' Trial and win three Gold Medals

1920

The D3 appears, with 3-speed gearbox, and chain drive, but still no clutch

1921

The first Velocette Clutch.....inside the final drive sprocket....and not unlike the last Velocette clutch

1922

Engine capacity now 249 cc and electric lighting (Maglita) offered. G model range introduced - including the GC, for "Colonial"

1923

The Model A (two-speed belt drive), and the Model B (three-speed chain drive) are launched as economy models

1924

The G-model range becomes the H model range. The Ladies models are still called E's. The A is replaced by the AC using chain rather than belt drive from the gearbox. A new, OHC, model K is launched. Initially called a Veloce, it was soon rebranded a Velocette to capitalise on the goodwill that the little 2-stroke had earned. A super sports model - the KSS - soon follows

1925

The tradename Velocette is registered. The factory moves to Hall Green, Birmingham. And a Velocette ridden by Alec Bennett wins the Junior TT. By 10 minutes.

1926

A new, updated, 249 cc 2-stroke is launched - the model U. The KS is introduced - a KSS with a standard engine.

1927

A K model takes the world one-hour record at just over 100 mph. The KE, and KES offer E-for-Economy variants

1928

The GTP - a completely new design of 2-stroke engine, with the innovation (on a motorcycle) of coil ignition. A KTP variant of the K models provides a fashionable twin-port head

1930

The tank badge now reads......."26-28-29 TT Winners". The current versions of the KTT are known as the Mk II and Mk III

1931

The Mk IV KTT is produced. The GTP uses "auto-lube" oil injection where the oil pump adjustment is linked to the throttle opening - another Velocette innovation.

1932

The M series with Overhead Valves - the MOV 248cc high camshaft 4-stroke is announced, followed by the MAC 349 cc

1933

The new works 500cc OHC racer is 3rd in the Senior TT

1934

The 500cc MSS completes the M series. The Mk V KTT is produced

1935

A very few "Mk VI" KTT engines are produced.

1936

Works Velocette 2nd in the Junior TT. Velocette 600 cc OHC Outfit in the ISDT winning team.

1937

The Mk VIII KTT model. Velocette win the Junior TT. "Roarer" supercharged 490 cc racer in development. "O" model 580 cc parallel twin prototyped

1938

The MDD and MAF - the forces models of the MAC - are produced.

1940

The GTP is produced again, and the MOV, MAC, MSS and KSS

1946

Velocettes win the first four places in the Junior TT

1947

The Dowty Oleomatic (air-sprung) telescopic front fork is used on the M models. K production ceases. The L.E. Velocette is announced. The KTT Mk VIII is again available as an over-the-counter racer. Velocettes take the first two places in the Junior TT

1948

Only the 350 cc MAC and 150 cc L.E. (and the Mk VIII KTT) are produced. Works DOHC 350 and 500cc machines enter the TT. Velocettes take 1st and 2nd in the Junior TT, 2nd in the Senior