This is the information I have come across so far in relation to 250 New Imperials being raced in Australia, I sent this email to Jan:
Hello Jan,
My name is Peter Shannon. The previous owner of the 1935 IOM GP 250, said it was raced on the Isle of Man. In November 1933 'O. Muller' was racing a New Imp in Australia and I know Cec Weatherby raced at the Isle of Man on a New Imp in 1933 and was racing a 250 New Imp back here in Australia in 1934 as well as somebody by the name H Lever on another 250. Also in 1933 at the 1933 TT here in Australia a 'L. Thomas' from South Australia was racing a New Imp (however I am not sure what time of year this was as the GP's may not have been built then.)
There was also Les Barnett from Victoria in Australia racing a genuine IOM GP250 New Imp from 1935 till he sold it in 1949. Also in NSW a 'C. Exley' in 1937 at a TT here in Australia was racing a 250 New Imperial.

I am not sure if any of the above info will help in solving where my father's 2 GP250 New Imps came from, but it may narrow the search.
Any help appreciated.
Peter shannon.



The photo of Cec Weatherby posted by Bill is a genuine "works"
racer. It has the external oil pump in view on the lower crankcase plus the larger tank. The GP250's had a pistol grip shaped tank. I am not sure what type of New Imp that Cec Weatherby was racing here in Australia in 1934 after his return from the Isle of Man the previous year.

Any response Jan from your Australian contacts??







Above two photos of the late Joe Shannon's GP250 New Imperial. It has a 1935 GP frame and is fitted with the first engine from the first batch of GP250 engines that were first made in 1933.





The late Joe Shannon's 1935 GP250 that was extensively raced in Australia. It won the 250 Australian TT in 1959 with Eric Hinton racing it.






Another shot of the racing 1935 GP from about 1985






A photo of one of the GP250 New Imps from the early 1950's. Note the NSW registration plate.

I hope someone is able to shed light on just who and how these came to Australia?

Regards,

Peter Shannon