2019 All British Rally Rally Highlights Part 5

Never heard of a Gruppo Velox BSA? Well, you’re not the only one, as this Italianate creation didn’t exist – at least not officially.

Presented at the ABR by Les Banbury, this machine was based around an overhead valve conversion of a BSA M20 single. These were originally made by Luigi Parena in Turin, to extend the life and improve the performance of British Army BSA M20s that were left in Italy after WWII.

Parena, a machinist and engineer, designed and cast these OHV alloy heads himself. Later, he would do developmental cylinder head work for the likes of Moto Guzzi, Benelli and other Italian makes, as well as racing a 175cc twin cam bike of his own design.

How many of these OHV M20 engines were built is unknown, but it’s believed fewer than 100 and possibly even less than 50 were ever produced.

The engine Banbury used for the basis of his creation was found at Vic Motorcycle Wreckers in 1975, but the bike he built around it was only created in the past couple of years.

The Gruppo Velox name is Banbury’s take on how Parena would have marketed his creation if it had reached volume production.