Founded in 1869 and quickly famed for engineering excellence, Rudge was appointed cycle makers to the British Royal Family by King George V.
The Rudge-Whitworth Cup was awarded for the first three Le Mans 24 Hour races. Rudge power took Enzo Ferrari’s own racing team to three national titles and 44 victories, a Rudge motorcycle proudly sits in the Ferrari Maranello Museum and, four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel was pictured with a Rudge Ulster for a Red Bull campaign.
The Rudge story is unlike any other in British motorcycling, unrivalled in its prime, and poised to return as the newest luxury brand with the most impressive heritage to back it.
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The revival is founded on that legacy, something modern brands can only try and imitate, but can never truly belong to. Rudge’s revival has the opportunity to carry on that tradition, representing British expertise and bringing historical brilliance into the present, because without it what would others aspire to.
Rudge brings heritage, craft and soul, along with a story of renowned motorsport pedigree, a story for people to belong to in today’s modern luxury. The craftsmanship and style of a classic motorcycle, combined with modern luxury and energy, all whilst retaining excitement and emotion.
The revival will launch with a limited edition run of the first motorcycle, which will be based on the elegant Rudge TT 500 motorcycle famously campaigned by Enzo Ferrari’s early racing team.
The Rudge 344 exists today as a conceptual design, and the brand is looking to begin raising pre-seed investment to fund the first prototype, a step that puts the brand in a position to take pre-orders. The engine and core components have not yet been confirmed, however the ethos of the bike has been well discussed internally, and looks to redefine modern expectations. Rudge is in conversation with multiple manufacturers and suppliers capable of matching the brand’s own standard of engineering integrity and attention to detail, and a partner will be named once that agreement is in place. Motorcycles will be sold direct to the customer through Rudge.com, alongside a small, carefully selected network of flagship showrooms across the UK and US.
The revival is in its infancy, but being written with the same craftsmanship and ambition the brand was built on the first instance; real racing pedigree, real engineering innovation, and a refusal to cut corners.
Keep an eye out on developments at rudge.com
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
