AJS 'Porcupine' for auction in US
The 1954 AJS 500cc E95 represents the final development of the most exotic, innovative, and graceful British Grand Prix racing motorcycle ever made. New for 1954, its final year of competition, the E95 was identified by its handmade alloy "pannier" fuel tank, which wrapped around the motor to lower the bike's centre of gravity. The 'Porcupine' name actually came from the E95's predecessor, the E90, and identified that model's distinctive spiked head finning, but the name stuck for both iterations of AJS's post-War racer.
Unlike the rival works Nortons, the Porcupine shared little with the production machines sold to the public. The motor and gearbox were unit construction with gear primary drive. Power was transmitted through an exposed clutch. The long graceful cast alloy under slung oil tank was a full gallon in capacity. The twin overhead camshafts were driven by a train of gears that also drove the special aircraft magneto and the high capacity oil pump. Lightweight ELECKTRON castings were used throughout.
Only four E95s were built, first appearing at the 1952 Isle of Man TT. For the 1954 Season, the pannier fuel tank (which required a fuel pump) was matched to a new lowered chassis. The E95 engine had its cylinders tilted upwards at 45 degrees, an arrangement that permitted a shorter wheelbase. The new motor layout featured a more robust crankshaft, and improved cylinder head architecture. The E95 enjoyed a dream debut, new recruit Jack Brett and Bill Doran finishing 1st and 2nd respectively at the season-opening Swiss Grand Prix, with New Zealand star Rod Coleman in 5th place.
In 1954,the E95 Porcupine's final year of competition, Bob McIntyre, Derek Farrant and Rod Coleman were the works riders, the latter providing the Porcupine with its best international results of the season, placing 2nd in Ulster and winning the Swedish Grand Prix. Other riders to swing a leg over the Porcupine during its short career include Bill Lomas, Robin Sherry and Reg Armstrong.
Fortunately, all four E95s survive today -two in museums and two in private hands. 'F3' - the E95 Porcupine offered for sale at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction - was acquired by the late Roy Richards, founder of the UK's National Motorcycle Museum in the 1980s. On display at the Museum for decades, 'F3' was mechanically restored in the USA between 2000 and 2004 by New York-based Team Obsolete - luckily escaping the museum's disastrous fire of 2003.
Ultra-rare and of immense historical significance, 'F3' represents a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the most legendary and exotic of all Grand Prix racing motorcycles. A pre-auction estimate has put the value of the E95 on offer at between US$750,000 - 950,000.
Image and information courtesy of Bonhams USA
