BSA Bantam Sprinter – nominal 123cc

Price: £1,475

Has been started since we acquired it. No history known but engine stamped with the name M Benn. Its likely the rolling chassis was built by or for the first owner.

Maurice (Mole) Benn (d2011) along with John Hogan, George Todd and Roy Bacon was a leading tuner/engine developer of the BSA 123cc Bantam Engine. From New Maldon, Surrey, Mole as well as building complete machines and loose engines raced Bantams at short circuit meetings including with the Bantam Racing Club and entered 2 ultra lightweight (125) IoM TT races finishing 29th in 1963 @ 65.78mph and 35th the following year @ 67.37mph with a fastest lap of over 70mph.

Period magazine articles featured Mole Benn with one of the tiny Bantam powered racers he built, able to hit over 90mph it was just over 31 inches tall at its highest point. He was also a MV Augusta lightweight racing motorcycle enthusiast, owning a small number of ohc models. Mole’s brother Sam also raced.