On Wednesday 30th June 1937, a specially prepared Empire Star 500 ridden by the great Wal Handley achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands circuit on its way to a debut race victory and award of the 'Gold Star' that would give BSA's new super sports model its evocative name. Possibly the most successful production racing motorcycle ever, the post-war Gold Star formed the mainstay of clubman's racing in the 1950s. In fact, it was the model's domination of the Isle of Man Clubman's TT which led to the event being dropped after Gold Star rider Bernard Codd's 1956 Senior/Junior double victory.

While its trials and scrambles derivatives demonstrated the design's versatility by chalking up an equally impressive record in off-road competition, for the majority of enthusiasts the 500cc DBD34 in Clubman's trim is the epitome of the 'Goldie'. The DBD, the ultimate road going 500 Gold Star, appeared in 1956 when the famous RRT2 close-ratio gearbox and 190mm front brake became standard equipment. From then on BSA's perennially popular sporting single changed little until its much-lamented demise in 1963. Today, the Gold Star remains one of the most highly sought after of post-war British motorcycles and is supported by a most enthusiastic owners' club.

This particular Gold Star was despatched new to BSA's USA western states distributor, Hap Alzina, on 26th September 1956. Restored in Canada in 2000 and re-imported by the immediately preceding owner in July 2001, it was purchased by the current vendor in October 2005. Documentation on file records the fact that the engine is a replacement unit of correct type dating from 1958. Presented in touring trim complete with small, Catalina-style fuel tank, the machine has covered only 1,328 miles since restoration and is described as in 'near concours' condition. It is offered with BSA OC dating certificate, sundry invoices, importation paperwork, old/current V5C registration documents and a quantity of MoT certificates (most recent expired June 2010). A 'Best in Class' concours trophy awarded at the Copdock Show is included in the sale.