Lot 603: 1915 T D Cross 300cc

T D Cross & Sons Ltd was founded in 1870 in Birmingham, concentrating in the production of bicycle components under the direction of the Cross family. The main business of T D Cross & Sons was making pressings, and today it survives as Cross & Morse, manufacturers of specialised power transmission equipment. Like many of its contemporaries, T D Cross diversified into motorcycle manufacture, supplying proprietary engines to other firms, including Wolf in Wolverhampton whose Model A was powered by Cross two-stroke, and making machines of its own. This rare T D Cross ‘flat tanker’ was acquired by its late owner in 1977 and restored by him. The machine is powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke engine fitted with a Senspray carburettor, and has an Albion two-speed gearbox and belt final drive. Finished in red/silver, the fuel tank is adorned with a ‘Four Arrows’ logo, while the frame is painted black. Other noteworthy features include leather panniers, luggage carrier, bulb horn and Smiths speedometer. A regular participant in VMCC events, the machine was last MoT’d to April 2005 and has not been used since. It is offered with Swansea V5C document and a photograph showing its ‘as found’ condition.