1937 Other Makes REX VILLIERS 98CC

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1937 REX VILLIERS 98CC - SKULLCRUSHER I have decided to sell one of my rarest and most unique motorcycle, my 1937 REX Villiers 98cc. It was manufactured by REX, a Swedish bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer, in 1937. It was sold new and registered by Mr Alf Ivar Gustavsson in my hometown of Linkoping Sweden. A copy of the first registration is among the pictures. The 2 stroke and 2 speed motorcycle engine was manufactured by Villiers Enginering, a manufacturer of bicycle and motorcycle parts based in Villiers Street, Wolverhampton, England. Due to the small size of the engine it was named the Midget Engine. REX started to build bicycles in 1896 and expanded into motorcycles in 1911, not more than 8 years after year Harley-Davidson and Husqvarna and 10 years after Royal Enfield build their first motorcycles. The problems with the motorcycles produced in the early 1900s were twofold; they had very complicated and unreliable engines and the prices were prohibited for most people. In the early 1930th Sweden was plagued by the Great Depression and the Swedish financial crises “Kreugerkrashen”. The main mean of transportation was the bicycle and basically all people had access to their own bicycle. There were at least 20 bicycle manufacturers in Sweden and they competed fearlessly for the domestic market share. The bicycle manufacturers developed a new strategy to provide the Swedes a new mean of transportation, the lightweight motorcycle (“lattviktare”). The goal for the new motorcycle was to sell it at a price that as many could afford as possible. The motorcycles were sold for about 400kr ($50), which represented about 2 months of salary for an industrial worker. About 10 of the ~20 bicycle manufacturers entered into to the market and the demand was very strong. The only regulatory requirement to ride the lightweight motorcycle was the minimum 16 years of age. The young men of Sweden took this new lightweight motorcycle to their heart because enabled them to travel much farther out and meet new girls in new towns, but still make it home in the evening so they could ride it to work in the morning. It is even said that these lightweight motorcycles abolished the inbreeding in the small town of Sweden. During the years of 1937 through 1939 the lightweight motorcycles become a cult symbol among young men in Sweden. REX with the Villiers engine was one of the most attractive and popular Swedish built motorcycles. However, the combination of poor (no) regulations, the poorly maintained gravel roads, the inexperienced riders and sometimes a little too much of the good dating life resulted in a significant amount of accidents. It was so bad that the lightweight motorcycles were named Skallkrossare (Skullcrushers). On July 1, 1939 the regulations changed and riders were now forced to have a driver’s license and the maximum cylinder volume was increased to less than 125cc, from less than 100cc, also the earlier weight limitation of 45kg (100lbs) was removed. The new regulation, effective on July 1, 1939, and also Hitler’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 and the subsequent beginning of World War II, killed the Skullcrushers and made them gradually disappear for newer and more today-looking motorcycles. My 1937 REX Villiers is in very good condition, has an older restoration and has been driven over the last years. It would benefit from a carb cleaning to start better. You can add it to your collection or just drive it around. It has a two-stroke and two-speed engine with gear stick and clutch. Also in addition to the interesting history behind the Skullcrushers, what makes this particular motorcycle such a collectable item is it hat it is so rare and its one of the earliest REX Villiers manufactured by REX (started in 1936). I am not aware of any other REX Villiers in the USA. I am willing to let it go for $4,950. I will provide Bill of Sale only, but if you pay me an additional $500 I can provide an Indiana Title. I ask only serious buyers and collectors to bid. Good Luck Bidders!!