Description
Charterhouse Auctioneers are pleased to offer this lot in their classic car auction on Friday 1st September, 2017 at Netley Marsh Classic Motorcycle Eurojumble.
Live bidding available through our web site.
For more information on this lot or to submit an entry, please contact Matthew Whitney at our salerooms or via email using the button below
Lot 101
The ex Pip Harris 1951 Norton 596 Manx 30M/ Watsonian racing motorcycle combination, frame number E11M35893, engine number D11M22055, silver and black. In the post WWII years the likes of Eric Oliver and Peter Valentine (Pip) Harris enjoyed just as high a profile with their combinations as their contemporary solo stars. Pip had great success in both the world championship and British short circuit racing over a 25 year career piloting Norton, Vincent and BMW combinations with his highest finish in the worlds a third in 1956. This Norton Manx was despatched to Pip on 3 March 1951 and according to the Norton factory records was supplied with a 500cc 30M engine, a rigid frame and girder forks. Now 596cc fitted the DOHC engine will have been one of two engines used by Pip in the 1951 season. A 500cc limit was stipulated for the World Championships but there was no such restriction for British domestic racing, hence competitors would have one frame and two engines. This ex Harris Manx was purchased from the estate of the late Reg Dearden, one of the most famous of all Norton tuner/ entrants, by the late Eric Biddle of Horwich near Bolton. The ex Dearden Nortons were assembled for Eric Biddle by Kerry Kearton who was paid in surplus bikes and parts. One of the machines Kearton received was the ex Harris combination, which our vendor brought from him in the early 1970s. It was subsequently restored in the 1990s and was then displayed at The National Motor Museum Beaulieu for many years, all be it unfortunately mistakenly identified and attributed to Eric Oliver. The renowned Norton historian Dr George Cohen identified this Manx as having been supplied new to Pip 'The King of Drift'. Now requiring careful recommissioning, this rare and historically significant racing outfit would provide the new fortunate owner with the opportunity to participate in some of motorcyclings most prestigious historic events such as Les Coupes Moto Legende at Dijon, Bikers Classics at Spa Francorchamps and the ever popular Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park. The historic Manx will be offered for auction with sundry paperwork. See illustrations
Estimate £30, 000-50, 000 +12% Buyers premium (including 20% VAT)
