Croft-Cameron

1924, Super Eight 996cc, OHV, 4-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled V-twin

▲ Italian Alessandro Anzani (1877–1956) was the man behind Anzani engines. He founded Anzani Moteurs d’Aviation which was located at 112 Boulevard de Courbevoie, Courbevoie, Paris. It began trading in 1907. The British Anzani Engine Company, acting as a licensee, operated from Scrubbs Lane, Willesden, London. Business began on November 20th 1912.

Aero engines were the original business. In the UK the Coventry Ordnance Works handled the production. After WW1 the firm developed a successful 1,100cc 60-degree (also quoted as 57-degree) V-twin engine that was used in a variety of motorcycles and cycle cars.

“Look! Speedmen, Hard Riders, and all such Sportsmen. At last you have the ideal of your dreams. The Croft Anzani Super Eight.”

- Croft-Cameron advertising blurb, 1923

Croft-Cameron is something of a mystery firm in the annals of motorcycling history. Almost nothing is know about the company which appears to have operated between 1923 and 1926, and then all but vanished. The firm was based in St Michael's Road, Stoke, Coventry.

Only one basic model was built; the Croft-Cameron Super Eight powered by a 996cc OHV British Anzani V-twin. Two versions were offered. The first was a more conventional 2-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled V-twin priced at £120. The second was a more radical 4-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled V-twin priced at £140.

Customers could also opt for the slightly larger Plus Power engine which cost £130 and £145, respectively.

Engine power was delivered to the rear wheel by a 3-speed Sturmey Archer unit operated by hand. A Jardine 4-speed 'box was optional.

Neither of these features was unique or unusual. But what was different was the duplex loop frame which completed encircled the engine. The idea was to create a very rigid and therefore stable structure, and it's said that Croft-Cameron certainly achieved that aim.

Also unusual (for a British motorcycle at least) was the leaf-sprung front fork courtesy of Montgomery.

Motor Cycling magazine is quoted as saying: [The Croft-Cameron] made 'for great lateral rigidity and, consequently, for good steering'.

Old photographs suggest that the Croft-Cameron was offered with a choice of braking/dummy belt rim options. The all-up weight is a claimed 300lbs.

This four-valve-per-cylinder example was bought in 1924 from a Leicester showroom. The purchaser was a Mr Bert Henson, a railway engine driver.

The bike was supplied as a solo machine, but at some point in the 1930s it was attached to a sidecar.

It's said that Mr Henson subsequently moved from the Leicester area to Thetford, Norfolk, and up to the mid-1950s the motorcycle was regularly seen on local roads.

By 1956, the Croft-Cameron was stored in Burrell's old traction engine works in St Nicholas Street, Thetford. The bike was "rediscovered" a year later in 1957 by the current vendor's father.

A restoration followed in 1962. The lubrication system and exhaust system had already been modified from standard, but the details are unclear.

Throughout the 1960s, the bike, we hear, was a regular Banbury Run and Tour of Birmingham entrant. It was also displayed at the Motor Cycle Show in London.

If you have a copy of Damien Kimberley's book, Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage, turn to page 38).

This Croft-Cameron last saw asphalt five years ago. It was sold by Bonhams at its Stafford Sale on 16th October 2016.

The price, including premium, was £203,100.