Veloce Motorcycle Company Timeline

Scroll Down to See History
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
Stacks Image 150
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
Stacks Image 169
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
Stacks Image 188
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
Stacks Image 197
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
Stacks Image 203
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
Stacks Image 225
The D3 appears, with 3-speed gearbox, and chain drive, but still no clutch
1921
Stacks Image 234
The first Velocette Clutch.....inside the final drive sprocket....and not unlike the last Velocette clutch
1922
Stacks Image 243
Engine capacity now 249 cc and electric lighting (Maglita) offered. G model range introduced - including the GC, for "Colonial"
1923
Stacks Image 250
The Model A (two-speed belt drive), and the Model B (three-speed chain drive) are launched as economy models
1924
Stacks Image 261
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
Stacks Image 268
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
Stacks Image 277
A new, updated, 249 cc 2-stroke is launched - the model U. The KS is introduced - a KSS with a standard engine.
1927
Stacks Image 283
A K model takes the world one-hour record at just over 100 mph. The KE, and KES offer E-for-Economy variants
1928
Stacks Image 292
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
Stacks Image 303
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
Stacks Image 312
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
Stacks Image 321
The M series with Overhead Valves - the MOV 248cc high camshaft 4-stroke is announced, followed by the MAC 349 cc
1933
Stacks Image 337
The new works 500cc OHC racer is 3rd in the Senior TT
1934
Stacks Image 346
The 500cc MSS completes the M series. The Mk V KTT is produced
1935
Stacks Image 355
A very few "Mk VI" KTT engines are produced.
1936
Stacks Image 364
Works Velocette 2nd in the Junior TT. Velocette 600 cc OHC Outfit in the ISDT winning team.
1937
Stacks Image 373
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
Stacks Image 382
The MDD and MAF - the forces models of the MAC - are produced.
1940
Stacks Image 393
The GTP is produced again, and the MOV, MAC, MSS and KSS
1946
Stacks Image 402
Velocettes win the first four places in the Junior TT
1947
Stacks Image 411
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
Stacks Image 420
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
1949
Stacks Image 429
Velocette are the World 350 cc champions
1950
Stacks Image 438
The L.E. Mk II - 200 cc. The MAC uses a Velocette designed telescopic front fork
1951
Stacks Image 447
The top-end of the MAC engine is redesigned
1952
Stacks Image 456
The MAC has swinging arm rear suspension; and a dual seat
1953
Stacks Image 465
The 500 cc MSS reappears, like the MAC but with a new design of engine
1954
Stacks Image 474
Scrambler and US variants of the MSS in production
1955
Stacks Image 483
Sports models introduced - the 500cc Venom and 350 cc Viper.
The 200cc flat-twin sports model Valiant is announced
1956
Stacks Image 492
The Velocette Owners Club is inaugurated www.velocetteowners.com
1957
Stacks Image 501
The "Veeline" front fairing is introduced on the Valiant
1959
Stacks Image 510
The Viceroy 250 cc flat-twin 2-stroke scooter is announced. Production of the MAC ceases.
1960
Stacks Image 519
On 18-19 March, a Venom sets the world 24 hour record for a 500 cc motorcycle of 100.05 mph. The record still stands.
1961
Stacks Image 528
"Special" (economy) models of Venom and Viper announced.
1962
Stacks Image 537
The Vogue - an L.E. with a streamlined glass-fibre body
1963
Stacks Image 546
The last year of production of the Valiant and Viceroy
1964
Stacks Image 555
The Thruxton is available
1965
Stacks Image 564
Mk II Venom and Viper Clubman models introduced with many Thruxton features
1966
Stacks Image 573
A Thruxton wins the Production TT
1967
Stacks Image 582
The last year of production of the Viper and Vogue
1968
Stacks Image 591
The last year of production of the "Special", Scrambler and Endurance models
1969
Stacks Image 600
The last year of production of the MSS, Venom and Thruxton.
1971
Stacks Image 609
Veloce Ltd closes in February.
1971