FROM THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE OF AUSTRIA COLLECTION More than a novelty, this 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel is a legend of ingenuity, engineering and motorcycle design that has become one of the most recognizable and revered motorcycles in history. Founded by Alfred Agnes Scott in 1908, the Scott Motorcycle Company began manufacturing unique, liquid-cooled, two-stroke parallel-twin motorcycles in 1908. Initially, Scott was attracted to the properties of the two-stroke engine design at the turn of the 20th century, given his exposure to steam and early marine engines. His earliest experiments with engine design began in 1901, and by 1904, he patented a two-stroke vertical-twin, which would become the foundation for his first production motorcycle in 1908. The 1908 Scott featured a 27.50 CI (450cc) water-cooled vertical-twin and primitive 2-speed gearbox set into a low-slung and early unique chassis. The two-stroke engine produced considerably more power than its four-stroke counterparts at the same displacement giving the Scotts a performance advantage over other marques in competitions in turn adding to the brand’s reputation and success. The Scott’s pedigree in early European motorcycle competition, including victories at the prestigious Isle of Man TT, established the odd-looking but competent machine’s place in British motorcycle history. During World War I, Scott secured a contract to produce machines for the war effort, and once civilian production resumed, new models were introduced, including the first sport model, the Squirrel, in 1922. Lighter and faster, the sporty Squirrel was stripped of unnecessary road-going comforts, built with aluminum pistons and a 3-speed gearbox, and eventually made available in a variety of displacements as the Super Squirrel and the Flying Squirrel by 1926. Still, with its complicated “thermosyphon” water- cooling system and high-level engineering, Scott motorcycles, including the Flying Squirrel, were significantly more expensive than their conventional competition. The same year this stunning 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel was built, the company achieved a third-place finish in the Isle of Mann TT, promoting the release of a special road-going replica edition of the Flying Squirrel. Still, as a specialized, premium and unconventional brand, Scott Motorcycles struggled through the 1930s, limped into the 1940s, and was eventually liquidated after World War I. This classic purple 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel features a 30 CI (498cc) water-cooled, two-stroke vertical twin, 3-speed gearbox capable of hitting top speeds around 85 MPH. Celebrated for its groundbreaking design and enduring legacy, the Scott Flying Squirrel has become a favorite among collectors and a symbol of British ingenuity and racing heritage. F112.1 1929 SCOTT FLYING SQUIRREL
