Descrição
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tue 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1958 Norton Model 30 International
No Reserve - The penultimate "Inter" built
Registration No: VNE 182
Frame No: N11/ 77268
MOT: Exempt
Built in December, 1957—the second to last International ever made
Full ownership history with only four owners and under 8, 000 miles from new
Exceptionally original and sympathetically renovated in the '90s
Offered for sale in Britain for the first time since 1970
The Road and Race Collection
After Norton’s 1-2-3 and 1-2 victories in the Senior and Junior TTs of 1931, the motorcycling public was in for treat when Norton adapted its TT racers into the International models for 1932. The timing was auspicious, for in that year Norton achieved 1-2-3 results in both TTs. The “Inters” were essentially built to order from the factory, and could be either out-and-out racing machines or very highly-tuned road bikes. Available as either the 500cc Model 30 or the 350cc Model 40, the International was overshadowed after the war by the famous Manx Norton, but late Inters typically ended up containing Manx parts. The last examples were produced in 1957. Never were they machines for the ordinary motorcyclist—the price of a new International was roughly equivalent to a medium-sized car.
Racing machines excepted, this Model 30 may be the most important Norton International ever to come to market. For one thing, Norton Club records indicate that it was the second-to-last Inter ever produced, and is the youngest known survivor; for another, it has survived in extraordinarily original condition, having covered just over 7, 900 miles from new. Better still, this is the first time it has been offered for sale on British soil since 1970.
‘VNE 182’ was built on December 19th, 1957, as a 1958 model—perhaps one of as few as ten designated as ’58s. It was despatched to Davies Motorcycles of Manchester, registered on March 1st, 1958, and first owned by Jack Ross of Rochdale. He kept it until 1970, when it was acquired by an older gentleman, Eric Stott. Correspondence reveals that Stott was a Norton enthusiast who was keen for details of his bike to be recorded on an International register, though it appears he seldom, if ever, rode it. Eric died in the 1980s and left the Inter to his brother Roy, who lived in Ohoka, near Christchurch, New Zealand. It was thus dismantled and shipped across the globe. Shortly after it arrived, Roy died, and the bike became the property of his nephew, Andrew.
Then a local Norton-fancier named Steve Smith entered the frame. The owner of a local trucking firm somehow knew of the bike and passed his intelligence to Mr. Smith in the late 1980s. He hankered after it for several years, and though instructions had been given that it must not leave the Stott family, Andrew could not find a relative who was interested in restoring it, so he agreed to let Smith buy it in the ’90s.
Correspondence from Smith reveals what condition it was in: “She was dirty and faded but in beautiful original condition. I stripped every last nut and bolt and found no wear, even on sprockets.” He could scarcely believe that the odometer reading was only 7, 800 miles, but the condition of every component testified that it was genuine. The paint had suffered during storage, so he committed to a respray, but mechanically it required minimal attention. He rehoned the bore, fitted new piston rings and lapped the valves, but otherwise left the engine alone. The gearbox, clutch and wheel bearings were renewed, the mag-dyno was renovated and the wheel spokes were replated. Generally, it wanted for nothing: “It had been dismantled with real care and everything had been wrapped and packed somewhere, even the plastic Wipac wire holders.”
Smith got the Norton back up and running, and received some coverage in the Antipodean motorcycling press, but sadly health problems forced him to give up riding, and the Inter was reluctantly offered for sale. It found a very good buyer in the present owner, the curator of a significant historic motorcycle collection, who brought it “home” to England in 2004 and after a spot of light refurbishment, put it on the road for one year only in 2006. Photographs at the time show it looking immaculate, and it has not really changed since. As Smith noted, “It is most likely the only bike to cover more miles by sea than land.” Having been on static display since 2007, it will, however, require recommissioning if it is to be used again.
A not-to-be-missed opportunity for connoisseurs of Nortons or classic British bikes generally, this Inter is perhaps unequalled for its combination of originality and provenance, and comes with an extensive paperwork file including the V5C; tax discs from new to 1969; the 2006 M. O. T.; post-restoration photographs; import documents; an original maintenance manual for Inters up to 1953; copies of late 1970s magazine articles; an original 1957 Inter specification sheet; and a tremendous amount of correspondence including letters to Eric Stott in 1981 and letters from Norton archivists revealing the early history.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
