Like this regal purple example from 1926, the Scott Super Squirrel was not only one of the most unique motorcycle designs but also one of the most successful among the eccentric, nontraditional approaches. The brainchild of English inventor Alfred Agnes Scott, the Super Squirrel continued the evolution of Scott’s distinctive liquid-cooled, two-stroke vertical twin engine design, which he patented in 1904. His first motorcycle, a 450cc version of his engine, arrived in 1908 and canted forward in a low-slung frame. It was a unique machine that also featured novelties like a multi-speed transmission and a kickstarter, features seldom found in motorcycles of the era. From the beginning, Scott motorcycles established a reputation for being ahead of its time, but Scott’s performance established it as a historical icon. Given the power band on a two-stroke engine and the fact that Scott motorcycles worked well in a high-rev range being cooled by their water-filled aluminum cylinder jackets, the marque became a standout in European competition. Its early success at the races helped solidify the brand’s reputation in the competitive British motorcycle circuit and in turn gave the quirky marquee a firm grip on the market. In 1922, the company released its first sporting motorcycle, the Scott Squirrel, a stripped-down, racing-friendly variant with a 486cc engine. The Super Squirrel followed in 1924, like this older restoration example, offered in either a 498cc or 596cc configuration. Ever the competitive brand, Scott Squirrels continued finishing strong in European races, including podiums in 1922, 1923, 1924, 1928 and 1929 at the prestigious Isle of Man TT. It was out of that competition pedigree that the Scott Super Squirrel first emerged in late 1924, having been based on the works machines built for the Tourist Trophy races. This strapping 1926 Scott Super Squirrel has only recently been imported from the U.K. and features Scott’s famous, race-winning 498cc water-cooled two-stroke, vertical twin, Amal carburetor and distinctive brass radiator. As this unconventional classic demonstrates, the Scott Super Squirrel remains a coveted piece of motorcycle history. Its legacy lives on not only in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts, nor isolated to its racing accomplishments, but as a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship and performance that created such iconic machines in an unbridled age of experimentation. NO RESERVE F139.1 1926 SCOTT SUPER SQUIRREL
