Help in identifying a 1948 model 18 (competition?)

Benavente · Post by **Benavente** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:57 am

Hello,

I need help to identify an AJS they are offering me.
Below the cylinder I could see that it is a 1948 model 18 but it also says "Grand Prix f", and then "2", below that it reads "team prize AJS".
I am not sure about the mudguards that looked sawed off because they are very small and very rounded on the edges. The frame tubes look very thin compared to a rigid Matchless of roughly the same period the seller also has.
I know this is a special machine because of the year and of course the make, but I would like to know more about it before paying 3 times waht he is charging for a 1949 Matchless G80 in similar condition.
Can someone tell me if this is a competition machine or just a special edition?
Havent been able to find anything on the web.
please take a look at some photos of the bike in:
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ ... wse/47a6?c

Thanks in advance,

Juan Pablo Benavente

itma · Post by **itma** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:13 pm

STOP!!
there is nothing special about this bike!!
the grand prix etc is nothing to do with the AJS factory, it may refer to its past history in Chile, and have been added there, for some reason.
I think its what we call bullshite

Benavente · Post by **Benavente** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:51 pm

Thanks for the reply,
So it is not a comptetition model?
In the link I posted before, there is a photo of the inscriptions on the engine. I looks as originated in the factory. I doubt that it was made in Chile.

itma · Post by **itma** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:02 pm

what I was trying to say was that I think the inscription was added outside of England, locally perhaps after some racing success in south america?