Ambassador Founded by racer Kaye Don after WW2, they made lightweight machines with Villiers and JAP engines, and also imported Zundapps. Production started in 1947 at the Ascot factory with a 197cc machine and continued with small engines. In 1962, Don retired and the company was taken over by DMW, which produced the line for a few more years at their Dudley factory, the Ascot unit being used to produce precision engineering products.

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1954 Supreme Villiers 1H 224cc	1960 3 Star Special Villiers 9E 197cc
1960 Electra 75 Villiers 250cc	1960 Super S Villiers 2T 250cc
1964 3 Star Special Villiers 9E 197cc

 

Ambassador Model Reviews

Series I 1946-47, Villiers 5E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 185lbs A very basic, but well equipped for its day. Brazed frame consisting of two duplex tubes with bracing plates. Pressed steel girder front forks by Webb with friction damping. Twin exhaust, direct lighting, bulb horn, centre stand with tank finished in Silver lined in Black and Red. Series II 1948, Villiers 5E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 185lbs A series I with a welded frame, otherwise the same. Series III 1949-50, Villiers 6E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 185lbs A series II with a new engine with battery & rectifier. Popular 1950-55, Villiers 6E 197cc(1950-53), 8E 197cc (1954-55), 2 stroke, 3 speed, 196lbs A series II with a new engine with direct lighting. 19" black painted rims. Tank changed to grey in 1951. Telescopic forks replaced the girder front end in 1954. Series IV 1950-51, Villiers 6E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 185lbs A series III with direct lighting. Series V 1950, Villiers 6E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 or 4 (1955) speed, 199lbs A series III with direct lighting. New development was the telescopic front forks. Supreme 1951-53, Villiers 6E 197cc, 2 stroke, 4 speed, 213lbs A new model fitted with MP telescopic front forks and plunger rear suspension with 19" rims and 5" hub brakes. The front mudguard was unusual in that it was mounted on stays, but also on sliding felt fitting at the top. A grey stove enameled frame and fittings, with chrome tank and grey lined panels. In 1952 the wheels went to 18" rims and a 6" hub brakes. Courier 1951, Villiers 6E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 185lbs A series III with a new grey colour scheme Embassy 1951-55, Villiers 6E 197cc (1950-53), 8E 197cc (1954-55), 2 stroke, 3 or 4 (1955) speed, 199lbs A series V with new grey colour scheme. Now with the MP telescopic front forks and plunger rear suspension from 1954. Sidecar 1952-55, Villiers 6E 197cc (1950-53), 8E 197cc (1954-55), 2 stroke, 3 speed, 324lbs A new model with special Webb girder front forks and rigid frame, it was sold as a complete unit with a single seat sports sidecar finished in black with red upholstery. Supreme 1954-58, Villiers 1H 224cc (1953-55), 2H 224cc (1955-58), 2 stroke, 4 speed, 238lbs A new engine of larger capacity was now fitted into a new frame sporting telescopic front forks and swinging arm rear suspension. From 1956 new forks, light alloy full width hubs, headlamp and dual seat were fitted. A burgess silencer and girling suspension units were also fitted. Supreme 1956-58, Villiers 2T 249cc, 2 stroke Twin, 4 speed, 283lbs The Supreme became available in two model options from 1956, this model having the 250cc twin cylinder engine. The wheels were reduced to 17" rims which gave the twin a 70mph capability. Envoy 1954-58, Villiers 8E 197cc, 2 stroke, 3 speed, 230lbs Very much a smaller engined version of the Supreme.17" rims were fitted for 1958 Envoy 1956-58, Villiers 9E 197cc , 2 stroke, 4 or 3 (1958) speed, 215lbs The Envoy was sold in two options from 1956. This option had the 9E engine with a 4 speed box. A new tank, headlamp and dual seat was fitted to both models from 1956. 17" rims were fitted for 1958 and in 1959 direct or rectifier electrics were available. Popular 1956-58, Villiers 30C 147cc (1955) 31C 147cc (1956-58), 2 stroke, 3 or 4 (1957) speed, 181lbs The frame had telescopic front forks and swinging arm rear suspension. The brakes were 5". Statesman 1958, Villiers 2L 174cc, 2 stroke, 3 or 4 speed, 216lbs Using the cycle parts of the Popular this model offered 3 or 4 speed gear box options. Popular 1959-60, Villiers 2L 174cc, 2 stroke, 3 or 4 speed, 216lbs This was the renamed Statesman as the old Popular was dropped. Super S 1958-64, Villiers 2T 249cc (1958-63), 4T 249cc (1964), 2 stroke Twin, 4 speed, 312lbs While based upon the Supreme this model had raised gearing ratios, 7" brake drums, new petrol tank, dual seat and semi-enclosed rear end skirt similar to the Triumph bathtub. The tank was rubber mounted easy release and the seat was also easy to remove with two slotted catches. The forks were new with dual springs. In 1960 this received the styling from the 3 Star model. In 1961 the tank was also lengthened at the front to partially cover the steering. In 1962 18" rims were fitted and 6" MP brake hubs. 3 Star Special 1959-64, Villiers 9E 197cc , 2 stroke, 3 or 4 (1963) speed, 262lbs Replacing the Envoy, this was the Super S model with the 9E engine. The front mudguard received increased valancing down to the spindles. With 6" brake hubs it was finished in Tartan Red and Black. The name was shortened to 3 Star in 1960 and an optional colour scheme of Greystone White and Black was offered. In 1961 the tank was also lengthened at the front to partially cover the steering. In 1962 18" rims were fitted and 6" MP brake hubs. Electra 75 1961-64, Villiers 2T 249cc (1958-63), 4T 249cc (1964), 2 stroke, 4 speed, 318lbs Basically a Super S model fitted with a Siba Electric Start mechanism. It had higher compression and a larger carburettor was fitted. The tank was also lengthened at the front to partially cover the steering. Finished in Royal Gold and Black and fitted with White Walled tyres. In 1962 18" rims were fitted and 6" MP brake hubs. Sports Super 1961-62, Villiers 2T 249cc, 2 stroke, 4 speed, 298lbs The same as the Super S, but with dropped bars, fly-screen, small mudguards and half rear end enclosure. The engine power output was increase to give a top end of 77mph. Popular 1962, Villiers 9E 197cc , 2 stroke, 3 speed (1962) 4 speed (1963), 249lbs A budget model without the majority of enclosure, based upon the 3 Star model. 5" brakes were fitted with narrower tyres. Finished in Stone-White and Black with Gold lining. In 1963 the two ranges of Ambassador and DMW bikes were revamped into one new range comprising of the same mechanical parts, but with differing tanks and badges. The Ambassadors received the square  tubing main loop frame of the DMW and the rear end enclosures went to fibre-glass. The colour scheme became Black with Red or White. DMW did not continue the Ambassador name for long and dropped it at the end of 1964.