- New Imperial Model 76
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New Imperial Model 76 
Manufacturer 
New Imperial Motors LtdProduction 1936-1939 Engine 496cc twin four stroke twin The New Imperial Model 76 was a British motorcycle manufactured by New Imperial Motors Ltd and marketed under the slogan "The King of Motors"[1] between 1936 and 1939, when the company was turned over to wartime production.[2]
Contents
Development
In the mid 1920s New Imperial were producing 300 machines a month and continuing to expand the great depression of the early 1930s. Like many manufacturers of the time, New Imperial found it very difficult to maintain sales through the 1930s and even Bob Foster’s win on a unit-construction model in the 1936 Isle of Man TT (the last time that Great Britain won a Lightweight TT) failed to lead to the much needed sales.[2]
Following the TT win all 1937 models were designed with the same pioneering unit construction engine, although the design was modified so that there were separate compartments within the unit for engine and gearbox.[3]
The engine was a 496cc overhead-valve unit construction with a twin-port head. A range of different ignition systems options were offered the Model 76 was available in either standard trim, with a hand operated four speed geabox, or from 1937 as a de-luxe version, with a foot-operated gearchange.[4]
New Imperial ceased trading in 1938, and sold the company to Jack Sangster, owner of Ariel and Triumph motorcycles. Surviving examples prove that limited production continued even after the company was liquidated, however, being assembled from spare parts right up to the outbreak of war,[1] when a former director of New Imperial, Solomon Joseph, negotiated the purchase of the company and moved the equipment to the Triumph works in Coventry to turn it to production for World War II and the Model 76 was finally discontinued.[1]
New Imperial Owners Association
The New Imperial Owners Association has a world wide following and aims to promote the restoration, maintenance and use of surviving examples of the New Imperial motorcycles and provides advice and information on all New Imperial models. The Association holds events each year and publishes a quarterly newsletter.[5]
References
- ^ a b c "1939 New Imperial". http://buyvintage1.wordpress.com/page-134-1934-new-imperial-model-23-150cc-ohv/. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ^ a b "new Imperial History". http://www.newimperial.co.uk/history.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ^ "New Imperial 1937 Model 76 Standard 500 cc". http://www.yesterdays.nl/imperial-1937-model-standard-p-577.html?osCsid=3907703222a6ef9a6fbead1aead012e9. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ^ "1937 New Imperial 500cc Motorcycle". http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/1937-new-imperial-500cc-motorcycle-registration-n-1-c-bsrae3xyfs. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
- ^ "The New Imperial Owners Association". http://www.newimperial.co.uk/index.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
External links
Categories:- British motorcycles
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