Austel Pullman 1300 combo to sellSeptember 2015 Chris Castell | Lotec front fork | Austin Metro We'd never heard of this machine either, so don't feel ashamed if you've been out of the loop. The motorcycle world is a big planet, and you can't know 'em all, can ya? The Austel Pullman above was the brainchild of the late Chris Castell, engineer and designer from Maidenhead, Berkshire. It was he who created Austel Engineering which developed a number of outfits using an Austin Mini engine as the motive power, and then fabricating an appropriate chassis. Between 1985 and 1991, we're advised that Castell built a number of bikes, steadily developing his designs, each with a foot-operated automatic gearbox, chain final drive, a side-mounted radiator, a leading link "Lotec" front fork, and alloy wheels. As with, say, Albert Crocker's fabled bikes, no two Austels (a combination of Austin and Castell) are alike. The estimate is that 11 combos were created, 10 of them before Castell died, and one that was assembled after his death. 
This example is said to be the last of the line. The registration number is: Q233 AAN. Aside from the features mentioned already, it's driven by a four-cylinder, 1300cc Austin Metro engine fitted with a Kent 256 camshaft, AE slipper pistons and an SU carburettor. There are twin discs at the front (we've no details on the rear brake), a Reliant Robin rear axle, Hagon shocks, a 25-litre fuel tank in the back of the Kent 'adult and child' sidecar which is manufactured by Martello Plastics Ltd of Folkestone, Kent. The sidecar roof is removable, incidentally. 
There have been four owners of this highly creditable machine. Bonhams (which supplied these pics) is anticipating £5,000 - £7,000 when it goes under the hammer at this year's sale at Beaulieu on Saturday 5th September 2015. We've no idea if that's a sound estimate. But the sidecar boys commonly spend a hell of a lot more than that on their wheels, so we're watching with interest to see what happens to this very rare bird. There's a V6C registration document with the combo, and there's plenty of documentation detailing the build and ownership, etc. Anyone who's ever assembled anything beyond a flat pack bookshelf will appreciate exactly how much work went into this creation. And anyone who thinks that outfits are dead needs to think again. The aforementioned sidecar boys will often tell you that when the weather turns seriously nasty, be it rain, snow or ice, it's time to get these combos out and play. Way to go, etc. www.bonhams.com UPDATE: The Austel Pullman sold for £5,750. — The Third Man | 
