Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
6606
MGC
250 N3BR · 1932
Marcel Guiguet's personal motorcycle
In terms of the quantity of motorcycles produced - around 300 machines – MGC was a small marque. But its achievements brought it renown, not only in France but also abroad, where several of its motorcycles were bought by enlightened amateurs.
Flying Storks
The most prestigious MGC was the personal 3BR of marque founder Marcel Guiguet. In 1928, Marcel Guiguet built his first model, with a fuel tank, cast in light-alloy, that formed the upper frame member. He named his marque MGC ("Marcel Guiguet and Co.") and gave it the flying stork badge that had been carried on the SPAD biplanes of the legendary "Escadrille des Cigognes," in which GuiguetÂ’s brother had served during WWl.
Masterpiece of Design
The idiosyncratic styling of the first version and its fragility held back sales, so in 1930, Guiguet went back to the drawing board to produce a new fuel tank frame member. Still considered today as an aesthetic and technical masterpiece. This structural fuel tank was linked (except on some models with a Chaise unit-construction engine) by machined stays to a lower "chassis" that acted as an oil tank and carried the engine and gearbox. The entire structure, though not light, was very rigid. The marque's archives, which were salvaged by a local enthusiast, revealed that Guiguet only built two 250cc 3BR and kept one for himself, riding it to victory in the Circuit of Dauphine in 1931. Its superb handling allowed him to establish an average lap speed of over 60 mph - in pouring rain!
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 245cc (63x80mm) air-cooled single· cylinder JAP racing-type POR 8 four-stroke
Power Rating: 22 hp @ 6000 rpm
Valves: overhead, with pushrods and roller tappets
Fuel System: twin-float chamber Amal Racing carburetor
Transmission: Sturmey-Archer 4-speed footshift, dry single-plate clutch; chain final drive
Frame: Upper and lower parts in cast aluminium, linked with 7 bolted steel beams.
Suspension: Brampton girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 21 inch (front & rear)
Weight: 298 lb
Maximum Speed: 84 mph
The aesthetics alone of the MGC would make it an all-time classic motorcycle, but its technical details were exceptional, too.