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-SG- I am too idle to check but I think I may have mentioned my 1930 Model 18 before - bought for the massive sum of 25 shillings (£1.25) in 1956. Seems like they did not fetch a lot back then - thanks to Walter for the 1994 photo of his example - also bought for 25 shillings but a little later on - 1967. And yes, he still has it!
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-SG- My attention was today drawn to the upcoming Bonhams Auction 29273 and to Lot 87. This is an incomplete 1929 Model 18, none the less with matching numbers. It is missing tanks, mudguards, wheels, clutch and carb. Anyone wanting to embark on the Vintage Norton trail might be interested ...
-SG- John from the UK has recently sent me a couple of 1929 advert scans. These are on a two page spread - must have been a bit of a drain on the advertising budget! He was pleased to see the Model 18 on the second page, as he has one himself - recent photo attached!
-SG- It was 1960 and I had already owned my 1930 Model 18 for all of four years. I took part in various Vintage Club competitions and decided to try my hand at grass track - the VMCC having organised such an event at Cassiobury Park, Watford. Preparation consisted of fitting a used 'knobbly' rear tyre and riding over carefully as I had no fourwheeled transport at the time.
As far as I recall the track was a dusty bumpy oval - bumpy to such an extent that the forks clashed onto the front mudguard several times per lap during practise and the handlebar clamps moved and clouted the tank top. Having tightened everything up as much as possible, the machine was a bit more controllable during the heat and final, in which I think we finished fourth and fifth! If nothing else this dabble with grass tracking convinced me that road racing was more in my line!
However the Watford event resulted in two unexpected 'boni' - certainly outweighing the event itself.
Bonus number one came in the form of an introduction by J W Anstice Brown - very much into Vintage racing Douglases - to a young acquaintance who dealt in scrap metal. And right then he was in the process of dismantling a Norton engine and gearbox like mine. His method of dis-assembly involved use of a large sledge hammer and he told me proudly he had already shattered the gearbox. However, given a small financial incentive of £2, he agreed to desist from further assaults on the Norton remnants until I had had a chance of collecting them from his garden at nearby St Albans!
Bonus number two was better still! It came from a small Welshman, to whom I was chatting while re-adjusting the handlebars. " I've got a Norton much like that," he said. "it's pretty well complete and you can have it if you want - for nothing. Only problem is - it's down in Wales."
Anyway, it transpired that he worked as guard for Britsh Rail Western region, and he kindly arranged to move the Norton as his personal luggage to the 'left-luggage' office at Swindon station. A week or so later, he gave me a ring to say it was there and awaiting my collection. So I borrowed my mother's Morris 1000 van and drove down to Swindon. With the front passenger seat already removed the 'new' Norton was squeezed in without too much of a problem.
Apparently, when my new Welsh friend finished his shift at the London end of the run, he used to stay in digs at Ashford, Middx. I dropped him a line to tell him I had collected the bike and to repeat my thanks. I was surprised to get my letter back in a few days marked 'GONE AWAY.' Unfortunately I did not have his address in Wales and thus lost contact with him almost as soon as I had met him.
And the Norton? What a find! It was a 1929 Model 19 frame, forks, wheels etc. to which had been fitted a nice mid twenties LS Sturmey Archer gearbox, and better still, a dry-sump engine - never did check if it was Model 21 or Model 25 - dating from 1927. In those distant days I did not have access to the Norton despatch books which were probably still held by the Police ...
-JdK- John in the UK sent this very nice photo of what looks to be an early 1930s Model 18. "My wife just got this family photo from a relation living in the Derby area. She thinks the photo was taken in the 1930’s. Could the tank colour be original?"
-SG- Thanks to John in New Zealand for this period photo of - I think - a Model 18 and a Model 19. Batteries look pretty massive and the magdyno covers don't look quite right but so what? Up and running and tidy!
-SG- When I look back at our web site I am surprised at the few postings involving Trials models despite the fact that Norton riders such as Jack Williams and Vic Brittain were at the top of their game in the thirties - mostly with Trials versions of the Model 18. There does not seem to have been a leaflet devoted to Trials models specifically but the 1937 Brochure included a paragraph and illustration on the subject. For the (then quite high) sum of £5 one could order any model in Trials trim. And this included - amongst other things - chromed mudguards and rims, 21" front wheel, narrow forks (ie Inter dimensions), chromed primary drive cover and chain guard, frame with increased ground clearance, and 'nobbly' tyres.
Richard's grandfather, a policeman in Penicuick, Scotland, acquired a Trials spec. Model 18 probably in the mid forties and the NOC details show it was originally delivered in December 1935 to Alexanders of Edinburgh. The retail purchaser is not shown in the records so whether it was used competitively in its early days is not known. But by the time it was bequeathed to Richard in 2014 it was in rather a sorry state - see photos above.
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He had decided to keep it in the family and that he would get it professionally rebuilt before passing it on to his son Jon - a US resident of California. This task was put in the hands of Rob Gibson of Bainbridge, Indiana, who specialises in rebuilding post-war British bikes and it was in fact his first involving a pre-war machine. Judging by the photos Richard has sent he looks to have made a pretty good job of it and literally all of the items which were replaced have been salvaged and saved. Worth just mentioning that the raised handlebars are fitted to make it more comfortable to ride - both Richard and his son being over 6ft (1.8M). It was ridden part of the way from Indiana to California by them both after the rebuild - only part of the way as some milage was on the trailer due to vile weather!
Richard has said that he would be happy to make contact with any Norton enthusiasts in California - let us know and we will forward contact details on.
-JdK- John in the UK has a Model 18 for sale, in his own words: "My 1937 Model 18 Norton is for sale. It has its original factory engine/frame number pairing and a NOC dating certificate. Magneto rebuilt and carb body sleeved, so runs beautifully. New tyres.
She had one owner until 1988, at which point she was somehow discovered languishing in a garden shed both intact and very original. The second owner waited and then commissioned a professional restoration in 1997 during which the original registration number was reclaimed from DVLA. He then used her little. There are numerous photos taken before, during and after the restoration.
I bought her from the 2nd owner in Summer 2021 and have enjoyed recommissioning her - usual stuff - magneto, carb etc. I have the original push/pull fuel taps, copper fuel lines, exhaust down pipe and straight gear lever - these will be included. Even the wheel rims are the original dunlops which have been rechromed and painted, and the silencer is the rechromed original.
An amazing bike. I am looking for £12,000 firm. In the first instance, I can be contacted via email on howellhouse@talktalk.net"
-SG- The recent posting of the smart chap in the beret with his Model 18 (France?) reminds me I have also recently received a period photo (believed from 1932) of a similar model. Mine is not as clear but it shows the front forks, handlebar layout and magdyno cover reasonably well. Note the straight pull Amal twist grip - not one of Amal's best products, in my view!
-SG- Alastair is selling SOLD his Norton. In his own words: "Norton Model 18, 1930, wonderfully patinated condition, quite a lot of original paint/finish. Huge amount spent, re-spindled/bushed forks, fully rebuilt gearbox, rear wheel seal bearing conversion with new axel, cylinder/head restored with new valves & guides, new tyres, chains, cables, rubbers, all bearings, Raysons straight through exhaust etc etc. Runs/rides but will need final minor fettling. A fast & loud machine ! £14,000. Tel xxxxxxxx"
