Veloce Ltd

Origins

The company began as “Taylor, Gue Co Ltd” in 1896, founded by John Goodman (later known as John Taylor) and William Gue, initially producing cycle frames and parts. They later manufactured frames for the Ormonde Motorcycle. In 1904, the company was working on a tri-car powered by a 3.5HP engine. Following the failure of Ormonde and Kelecombe, Taylor Gue acquired their assets in 1905 and built their first motorcycle, the Veloce. John Taylor subsequently established Veloce Limited to produce cycles and related products, while also investigating engine use with his sons, Percy and Eugene, leading to the V.M.C motorcycle in 1910. In 1912, New Veloce Motors Ltd was formed, but was wound up during World War I.

Breakthrough

The original Veloce motorcycle was briefly produced in 1905. In 1910, the V.M.C. motorcycle was launched, featuring a 500cc side-valve engine with direct belt-drive and an optional hub gear. A smaller 1912 model featured an unusual inlet-over-exhaust valve arrangement and unit construction, patented by Percy Taylor in 1910. This smaller model was entered in the 1913 Isle of Man TT, but an oil leak hampered its performance.

Peak Seasons

In the early 1920s, Veloce developed the overhead camshaft (OHC) 350cc engine, known as the ‘K’ series, introduced in 1925. After initial teething troubles, the ‘K’ series achieved racing successes, leading to the production of the KTT racing model between 1928 and 1949. The 1929 KTT was the first production motorcycle with a positive-stop, foot-actuated gearchange. Road models derived from the ‘K’ series included the KSS, KTS, KTP, and KN. A significant engine modification occurred in 1935 with the fully enclosed aluminium cylinder head of the ‘KSS Mk2’.

The ‘M’ series was introduced in 1933 to reduce production costs, beginning with the 250cc MOV. The MOV proved successful, leading to the 350cc MAC in 1934, and the 500cc MSS in 1935. The MSS was designed as a sidecar hauler and shared a frame with the KSS MkII. During World War II, the 350cc MOV formed the basis for military motorcycles.

Following the war, Veloce created the LE model in 1947, a 149cc water-cooled flat-twin intended for personal transport. While it became Veloce’s best-selling model, the high tooling costs barely recouped investment. In 1947, the company won the first four places in the Junior race at the Isle of Man TT. Veloce secured the FIM 350cc World Championship titles in both 1949 and 1950. In 1967, Neil Kelly won the Isle of Man Production TT in the 500cc class on a Velocette Thruxton, with another Thruxton finishing second.

Defining Incidents

In 1961, a Velocette Venom became the first motorcycle to cover over 2,400 miles in a 24-hour period at Montlhery, France, averaging 100.05 mph with a team of eight riders. This record for up to 500cc machines remains unbroken. The machine was later damaged in a fire at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham but was restored by the Velocette Owners Club.

Later Models

The 499cc Velocette MSS of 1954 proved successful in American desert racing, leading to the development of the 349cc Viper and 499cc Venom in 1956. A 1958 review in The Motor Cycle praised the Viper as "a remarkably fine motorcycle, all round performance well above the average" capable of speeds over 90 mph. In 1960, Veloce introduced the Viceroy, a unique 250cc opposed twin two-stroke scooter with a front-mounted engine and fuel tank.

Commercial Failure

The business struggled from 1956 due to changes in hire purchase legislation and fuel rationing. Losses incurred on the Viceroy scooter, combined with overstocking and development costs for the unsuccessful Velocette Vogue, contributed to the financial decline. Despite spare-part sales from the acquisition of Royal Enfield’s spares operation in 1967, the company closed in February 1971. C C Cooper acquired the machinery and continued limited spare-part production, while the rights to the Velocette name were sold to the Holder family, and the buildings at Hall Green were demolished.