1965 Velocette 500cc Thruxton

Production race successes, notably in the Thruxton 500 Mile event prompted Veloce Ltd to adopt that name for their newly introduced top-of-the-range sports roadster in 1964. Based on the existing Venom, the Thruxton featured a tuned engine with revised, big-valve cylinder head, Amal GP carburettor, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests and a twin-leading-shoe front brake as standard equipment. Although much admired by the café racing fraternity, the Thruxton’s necessarily high price limited its appeal to a select handful of wealthy connoisseurs. It is thought that as few as 1,000 were made, and today the Thruxton is one of the most sought after of post-war Velocettes.

The motorbike offered

The 1965 Velocette 500cc Thruxton on offer here comes from a Southern California collection. In nicely presented condition, the bike sports a 1966 Thruxton engine mounted in its 1967 frame. The bike was just recommissioned to ready it for sale and, as can be seen in the video, ride exceptionally well.