・Recently assembled with under 3000 miles – almost a brand-new bike
・Perfectly captures the spirit of 1950s café racers
・Built with the celebrated Featherbed frame
・Said to be capable of cracking the ton
The Background
The Norton International shot to prominence in the 1930s as the conquering hero of all the major motorcycle races. The overhead-cam engine was sophisticated for its time and carried the ‘Inter’ to numerous Isle of Man TT victories in the 1930s. Built from 1931 to 1957, it was offered in 500cc Model 30 and 350cc Model 40 guises, allowing it to compete in both the Senior and Junior TT races. Norton won the Senior TT every year from 1931 to 1938, excluding 1935, and the Junior TT every year from 1931 to 1937. On many occasions, the Norton team achieved 1-2-3 victories, with Scottish ace Jimmie Guthrie its star rider.
After the war, the International resumed production but was demoted slightly. Its place as an out-and-out competition machine was taken by the famous Manx Norton, and it assumed the rôle of a Clubman’s sports bike, placing it in the same category as the BSA Gold Star and the later Velocette Venom; in other words, it ranked among the fastest and most desirable road bikes of its day.
In 1953, the International benefitted from a significant upgrade, the Featherbed frame, lauded for its superb road-holding and subsequently coveted by enthusiasts as the de rigueur frame for bespoke café racers such as Tritons and Norvins. Engines may vary, but the frame is always a Featherbed.
This International special only came into being as recently as 2015. In 2008, Inter aficionado Steve Emery was in search of a project. With a 1949 Model 30 500cc engine at his disposal, he set about building what he envisaged to be the ideal International, using an early (c.1952) Featherbed frame and emulating the visual style of the instantly recognisable Manx Norton.
The whole process took seven years, the Inter being registered for road use in December 2015. Mr. Emery sold the bike very soon after completing it and the present owner, a collector of 1950s motorcycles, acquired it from Verralls in 2016.
Although the engine and frame date from 1949 and c1952, the Inter was registered with the DVLA as a 1967 bike and hence received an E-suffix registration. The vendor has since succeeded in reregistering it with a more appropriate age-related plate.
From its sheer size alone, the Norton’s great 490cc single seems to be making a lot of promises. From what we’ve seen of the bike, we expect it will live up to them. After flooding the Amal carburettor and pumping some oil around the engine, the vendor gives the kick-starter a firm swing and, without hesitation, the engine bursts into life, cracking and growling ferociously, and the sweet aroma of Castrol R fills the air. Since the engine was rebuilt during Mr. Emery’s ownership and has only covered 2850 miles since completion, it is in prime health and the vendor tells us he has been clocked at over 100mph (on a private test track, of course).
As virtually everything on the bike is either new or reconditioned, the gearbox and brakes ought to be just as good, and a glowing report from the MoT tester in 2017 would suggest they are but, as with anything, the buyer is advised to satisfy themselves with these things before taking to the road.
The front brake represents an upgrade over what the International would have had originally, as it came from a 1967 Norton Commando. A modern BT-H magneto and LED lights are fitted. The vendor advises us that there is no charging system fitted to the bike. The lights function purely off the battery. Low consumption LED bulbs are fitted that should give several hours of night riding. The 12v battery is easily re-charged utilising an external power lead.
Be in no doubt whatsoever as to the history, origins and quality of this fine machine. As one would expect, there is a substantial file containing all the necessary paperwork along with a hefty wad of receipts and invoices for work and parts used in the build, but there’s much more. Mr. Emery, a consummate builder if ever there was one, filled two whole photo albums with pictures he took while building the bike, and kept a detailed diary of each job he undertook, as and when he undertook it. A more thorough account of this bike’s past is hardly conceivable.
As you’d expect, most of this bike is like new, although it has acquired a few very mild cosmetic blemishes. Suffice it to say, the engine is not completely oil-tight, but then they never were, so that hardly counts against it. All in all, with so many parts being either new or reconditioned, it is very difficult to find fault with this bike and it is probably as near as one can get to experiencing a 1950s café racer as one would have done in the 1950s, albeit with a few subtle enhancements like better brakes and brighter lights.
Appeal
There are not many motorcycle enthusiasts who would turn down the chance to own a Manx Norton. This isn’t a Manx Norton, but it looks an awful lot like one and, if anything, it’s better suited to road use. It’s not about pretending, though – every inch of this bike is true, red-blooded café racer. With its clip-on handlebars, racing seat, racing tank and antisocial (but brilliant) megaphone silencer, it is the very archetype.
This, then, is a bike with a split personality. There’s the serious Clubman side, which encourages enthusiastic but considerate riding and diligent upkeep. Then there’s the Brylcreem-and-leather side – stylish, rebellious and just a little bit menacing. In short, it’s the perfect bike for either living out your Geoff Duke fantasies on the Isle of Man or posing at the Ace Cafe.
Ultimately, this bike embodies a golden age, when motorcycling was a national sport, popular pastime and cultural phenomenon. It’s an exercise in engineering and aesthetics – power and beauty combined. Your mother would hate it, though.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1952 Norton Model 30 International special
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