From the 1954 Catalogue
Envoy 1954
Especially designed for today's fashion- and comfort-conscious rider. This handsome machine is finished in black and chrome with petrol tank in Dimenso double-tone grey.
Prominent features are the dual saddle, valanced mudguards, swinging-arm rear suspension. Outstanding performance and appearance.
1954 Popular
For sterling service with ultra-economy the Popular is very hard to beat. Now considerably improved by the introduction of telescopic forks, rider comfort is equal to many far more expensive machines. If you are looking for fine performance at low initial cost the Popular must be your choice.
1954 Supreme
Britain's most distinctive cruiserweight. Surpassing good looks; magnificent performance; very economical to run. The swinging-arm rear suspension smooths out rough roads and can be adjusted to suit all requirements. This year the Supreme is available finished in grey, black or Bella Red. The power unit is the new streamlined 225 c.c. Villiers with its amazing verve and smoothness. For those who wish to enter the world of the luxury machine the Ambassador Supreme is "supreme" indeed.
1954 Embassy
Since its introduction the Embassy has proved itself one of the most attractive and economical machines on the road.
The 1955 model is a further advance with several distinctive new features that keep the Embassy in the fore-front of its class.
1954 Self-Starter
This model is similar to the Embassy in general detail. The embodiment of the starter motor system simplifies starting of the engine, and obviates using the foot starter.
A unique machine which has aroused much interest.
1954 Sidecar
An improved Ambassador design consists of a new lightweight chassis and an entirely new design lightweight body. This special model is supplied only as a complete unit and neither machine nor sidecar is available separately.
1954 General Specification
Supreme. - Engine : Villiers Mk 1H 225 c.c., two stroke. Gear Box: Villiers unit construction, four speed, foot change. Transmission: Renold chain, primary in oilbath.
Lighting: 6 volt, operated by flywheel generator with accumulator. Dipper switch to headlamp.
Frame: Swinging-arm rear suspension, adjustable to load. Telescopic front forks. Front and rear, 6 in. diameter. Mudguards : Deeply valanced, with rigid-fix stays. Tyres : 3.25 x 18 standard, front and rear. Seat: Dual, 23 in. Dunlopillo section. Petrol Tank: 2 gal. with rubber knee grips. Wheelbase : 482 in. Weight 238 lbs. Finish : Grey, with chrome fittings, tank, silver grey.
Envoy. - Engine, gearbox and transmission as Embassy. Lighting and frame as Supreme. Hubs 5 in. diameter. Rims Dunlop NMI-19 Tyres 3.00 x 19. Seat dual construction as Supreme. Finish black with chromium-plated components. Wheel base 48¾ in. Weight 230 lbs.
Embassy.-Engine: Villiers Mark 8E, 200 c.c., two stroke. Gear Box: Villiers unit construction, three speeds, foot change (also 4-speed model). Transmission: Renold chain. Lighting : As Supreme. Frame: Plunger action rear springing, telescopic front forks. Brakes: Front and rear 5 in. diameter. Mudguards: As Supreme. Tyres : 3.00 x 19 standard, front and rear. Saddle: Lycetts, extra large. Petrol Tank: As Supreme. Wheelbase: 47 in. Weight 215 lbs. Finish: Black, with chrome fittings, tank silver grey.
Popular. — General Specifications as Embassy but rigid frame at rear. Direct lighting with dry battery for parking. Unvalanced mudguards. Weight 181 lbs.
Self Starter. — General Specification as Embassy, but with press-button self starter, powered by batteries carried in panniers. Battery : 6 volt 47 amp. Starter Motor : 6 volt. Weight 240 lbs.
Sidecar. — General Specification as Embassy, but with strengthened rigid frame and heavy girder- panels. Saloon model is sold only as a complete unit.
1958 Super 5
250 c.c. Villiers parallel twin two-stroke: bore 50mm. by stroke 63.5mm: cast iron cylinders, alloy head. Compression ratio 8.2: 1. Power output 15 brake h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m. Exhaust pipes 1½-in. diameter, Villiers type carburettor S22/2.
Handlebar air control. Four-speed gear box in unit with engine, positive stop footchange. Ratios 5.8, 7.6, 10.9, 17.6: 1. Primary drive by fully enclosed chain in oilbath, final drive by chain with large guard enclosing top half. Chromium plated gear lever, kick start pedal and engine side plates. Brazed and welded tubular steel frame with malleable iron lugs. Rear frame fully enclosed by side panels.
Plated wheel rims fitted with Dunlop tyres, 3.25 x 17-in., ribbed front, studded rear. Full width hubs incorporate 7-in. brake at front and rear.
Petroil lubrication. 7-in. diameter headlamp incorporating ammeter, switch and 85 m.p.h. speedometer. Stop lamp. Twin reflectors. Twin horns with dual tone.
Telescopic front forks of Ambassador design adjustable to individual requirements. Rear springing by swinging arms, movement conrolled by hydraulic dampers.
Steel fuel tank, 3 ½-gallon capacity, fully mounted on rubber, extra large filler cap. Foam cushioned dual seat secured by two plated screws. 1-in. diameter handlebars fitted with large clutch and brake levers.
Complete to normal specification and with all usual tools and equipment.
Colours: Black and Tartan Red or Grey and Tartan Red stoved enamel.
Weight: 312-1bs.
Price £199-12-0 (including purchase tax)
Electra 75 1961
Developed from the Super S, it was powered by a Villiers 249cc 4-speed twin and had a Siba starter motor. Colour scheme: Royal Gold and Black, with whitewall tyres.
1961 Report
Ambassador Motor Cycles, Ltd., Pontiac Works, Ferbank Road, Ascot, Berks. A FULLY equipped 197 c.c. roadster for the sensationally low price of £132 19s. 7d. inclusive is the "eve-of-Show" surprise from Ambassadors. Named the "Popular," it has all the appearance of a workmanlike utility model; frill-free specification includes direct lighting. Like every other model in this range, it has a Villiers two-stroke engine. Pride of the range is the " Electra 75," the only production British motorcycle equipped with electric starting.
A tuned twin-cylinder engine with a 10: 1 compression ratio gives it a 75 m.p.h. potential. The Siba 90-w. d.c. generator has a 12-volt output. The rear of the machine is enclosed by smoothly styled pressings.
The "Super S." from which the " Electra 75" was developed, is basically similar except that a kickstarter and Villiers generator are fitted.
The " Sports Super S" has a "hotter" engine, an abbreviated rear-end enclosure, dropped bars and a flyscreen. Unlike most of the other models, which have deep-section front mudguards. this sportster has a shallow guard in polished light alloy.
The 197 c.c. "Three Star Special" is a ride-to-work mount with a generous specification. The two-stroke motor is a "single" and the unit gearbox is available with either three or four speeds, the former costing some £5 less.
A report in Cycle magazine, Jan 1962, which they adapted from two issues of Motor Cycling. Source: jampot.dk
