James first adopted the 'Captain' name for its (nominally) 200cc roadster for 1950 and both the cycle parts and engine would be upgraded periodically as the years passed. Scrambles and trials versions were known as the 'Cotswold' and 'Commando' respectively, the latter keeping the rigid frame until 1956, by which time the Captain and Cotswold had switched to swinging arm suspension. It is not known for certain whether the machine offered here is a genuine competition model or a modified Captain roadster, though the latter seems far more likely. (The engine code '075B' relates to an 8E roadster engine supplied to James, so the unit may be original to the frame). The current vendor purchased the machine at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2009 (Lot 325) but has decided to delay taking up trials and so is offering it for sale.