The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is delighted to announce the latest addition to its world-renowned collection – a rare Lilac Lancer Mk V 250cc V-Twin, a shaft-driven, four-speed motorcycle built by the Marusho Company of Hamamatsu, Japan.
The Marusho Company was founded in 1948 by motorcycle engineer Masashi Ito, who would go on to create some of Japan’s most distinctive and innovative motorcycles. During its lifetime, the company produced 31 models under the Lilac name, inspired by Mrs Ito’s favourite flower.
Initially, Masashi Ito marketed his motorcycles under the Marusho brand, but later adopted the Lilac name for most of the company’s range, including the popular lightweight “Baby Lilac” and the later flat-twin models, as a tribute to his wife’s beloved blossom.
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Marusho enjoyed its most successful year in 1959 when production exceeded 11,000 motorcycles. Among these were the elegant V-Twin models, whose styling and engineering drew favourable comparisons with the prestigious German Victoria motorcycles of the period.
Despite its engineering achievements, Marusho faced increasing competition from Japan’s larger manufacturers and, in 1967, the company merged with Honda, bringing an end to the Lilac marque.
This beautifully preserved Lilac Lancer Mk V now joins the Museum’s remarkable collection and offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of Japanese motorcycling history.
The Lilac, along with more than 500 other motorcycles spanning over a century of motorcycling heritage, can be seen at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in the heart of the New Forest, where visitors can enjoy an unforgettable journey through the history of two-wheeled transport.
