1953 Velocette 349cc MAC
Registration no. OVO 990
Frame no. RS 2902
Engine no. MAC 21849

In 1933 Veloce Limited augmented its range of overhead-camshaft models with an overhead-valve 250: the MOV. The newcomer's power unit was a 'high camshaft' design with enclosed valves, and the compact and sprightly machine featured a four-speed gearbox equipped with Veloce's new foot-change mechanism. The following year an overhead-valve 350 built along MOV lines appeared - the long-stroke MAC - which was subsequently bored out to create the 500cc MSS. Post-war, the trio of overhead-valve Velos continued much as before, with rigid frames and, initially, Webb girder forks. The MAC gained an alloy cylinder barrel and 'head for 1951, plus Velocette's own telescopic fork in place of the previous Dowty, and was further updated with a swinging-arm frame in 1953.

First registered on 20th October 1953, this Velocette MAC comes with its original logbook recording only two owners, the second of whom, Gerald Campion Eyre, registered it a few days after the first, suggesting that the latter might have been a dealer. Mr Eyre rebuilt the MAC around 1993, and a VHS video of the rebuild comes with the machine. Since 2002, 'OVO 990' has belonged to the East Midlands Centre of the Velocette Owners Club, its third owner, and has been displayed in various museums. Said to be in good mechanical order, the machine nevertheless will require re-commissioning before returning to the road. A fine example of the model, this MAC comes with the aforementioned logbook, an old-style V5, and its original tax disc.