Hi Paul and Adrie,
I will get the color matched and post the information soon. Since Adrie correctly spotted my Velocette, I really would like to share this incredible story for entertainment of all readers (since we all love British bikes and a good story even if it is not an Ariel).
This is a 1965 Velocette MSS 500 with 1956 Velorex Sidecar. In October 1964, one Mr. Samuel Swann bought this motorcycle brand new in London. Early in 1965 Mr. Swann set out on this motorcycle for an adventure that would last more than 3 years and cover more than 100,000 miles. His travels took him to various middle-eastern countries including Iran. He stayed with local Iranian hosts while he waited for repairs to be done on Velocette. Apparently, Iranian tradition dictated that the hosts give a gift to their departing guest. Guess what?
The gift was a little dog. Mr. Swann named the dog - Snowy. Now the obvious problem was how would he take Snowy with him on a motorcycle?
Mr. Swann bought a 1956 Czechoslovakian Velorex side car in Iran for Snowy's riding comfort. The two continued their world travels before finally settling in 1968 in Houston (British Columbia, Canada). Local folks from Houston fondly recall the gentle Englishman with Snowy in the side car sporting a long scarf and wearing goggles. Swann and Snowy were inseparable for 14 years, until Snowy died. Swann returned to his native England in 1983 where he passed away in 2004.
In 1976, Swann gave this Velocette to his friend - John L who restored it and repainted it in his favorite two-tone blue and grey color. John sold this motorcycle to me last year making me the third owner. This photo was taken just a few weeks ago in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. I also have attached a story about this Velocette in a local Canadian newspaper in July 1997.
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