LOT 379
The last Commando sold by Andover Norton c.1975 Norton 850 Commando MkIII Interstate Registration no. not registered Frame no. 336456 Engine no. 336456
Sold for £20,700 inc. premium
Lot 379
The last Commando sold by Andover Norton, c.1975 Norton 850 Commando MkIII InterstateRegistration no. not registered Frame no. 336456 Engine no. 336456
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
The last Commando sold by Andover Norton
c.1975 Norton 850 Commando MkIII Interstate
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 336456
Engine no. 336456
c.1975 Norton 850 Commando MkIII Interstate
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 336456
Engine no. 336456
• Assembled between 1975-1977 and released in 1982
• Fully authenticated
• 1.7 push miles
When Norton Villiers Triumph's Wolverhampton factory went into receivership/liquidation, circa 1975, there were around 1,500 MkIII Commandos in the process of final production, upon which work immediately ceased. Over the next 18 months these machines were effectively owned by the official Administrator and remained untouched, but secure, inside the locked Marston Road factory. By 1977, Dennis Poore's freshly funded company, NVT Ltd, with premises at Shenstone and Andover, was beginning to purchase many of the former group's assets; including the brand names and intellectual rights, as well as machine tools and the original spares stock held at the time of the closure. As the successor company, NVT Ltd was under intense pressure to meet the huge demand for Commando spares, and set up a subsidiary, Andover Norton Ltd, to continue the Norton spares business.
Following its 1977 formation, Andover Norton Ltd consisted of a warehouse and a nearby retail premises. It was during this period that Poore negotiated a deal with the liquidator to buy all the 'work in progress' within the long-shut Wolverhampton plant, but primarily the 1,500 unfinished MkIII Commandos. John Pedley, the factory's former works director, was charged with engaging 100 former key personnel, who would ensure that the stock of MkIIIs, once completed, emerged from Shenstone with the correct specification. Sales were entrusted to Mike Jackson at Andover.
Following their introduction, the MkIIIs sold well in the UK; so well in fact that certain London dealers began an unnecessary 'discounting' campaign, much to NVT's annoyance. In response, NVT decided to retain a batch of MkIIIs, to be sold at top retail price through their Andover shop. Andover Norton was in no hurry, so it took several years to sell them all. The final machine went to Mr David Hughes of St Austell, who appointed legendary Norton tuner/entrant Ray Petty to collect the bike. That motorcycle is offered here today and comes with Mike Jackson's 2010 letter to David Hughes confirming its provenance.
The collection was made in 1982 and Ray Petty was pictured seated on the Commando in Motor Cycle News' 14th July edition (page 72). This machine is also pictured on page 105 of the accompanying Norton Buyer's Guide. When Andover Norton Ltd were appointed the UK concessionaires for the Goodyear Eagle tyre, this Commando was used for the launch and photographed with former 500cc Motorcycle World Champion Kenny Roberts seated on it (copy on file). By time of the Hughes purchase, the Shenstone factory had long since completed its last Commando, the final machine, '336539', assembled towards the end of 1977, being retained by John Pedley.
David Hughes kept the Commando in his private collection of 'zero' miles machines in St Austell, Cornwall until, due to failing health, he decided to entrust it to North Cornwall Motorcycles to find a suitable buyer on his behalf in 2014. The current vendor purchased it as a display piece for the lobby of his 'British Themed' hotel, where it was installed in a glass case and has remained on display ever since.
This unique and historic machine comes with the aforementioned authenticating paperwork and a Rider's Manual.
• Fully authenticated
• 1.7 push miles
When Norton Villiers Triumph's Wolverhampton factory went into receivership/liquidation, circa 1975, there were around 1,500 MkIII Commandos in the process of final production, upon which work immediately ceased. Over the next 18 months these machines were effectively owned by the official Administrator and remained untouched, but secure, inside the locked Marston Road factory. By 1977, Dennis Poore's freshly funded company, NVT Ltd, with premises at Shenstone and Andover, was beginning to purchase many of the former group's assets; including the brand names and intellectual rights, as well as machine tools and the original spares stock held at the time of the closure. As the successor company, NVT Ltd was under intense pressure to meet the huge demand for Commando spares, and set up a subsidiary, Andover Norton Ltd, to continue the Norton spares business.
Following its 1977 formation, Andover Norton Ltd consisted of a warehouse and a nearby retail premises. It was during this period that Poore negotiated a deal with the liquidator to buy all the 'work in progress' within the long-shut Wolverhampton plant, but primarily the 1,500 unfinished MkIII Commandos. John Pedley, the factory's former works director, was charged with engaging 100 former key personnel, who would ensure that the stock of MkIIIs, once completed, emerged from Shenstone with the correct specification. Sales were entrusted to Mike Jackson at Andover.
Following their introduction, the MkIIIs sold well in the UK; so well in fact that certain London dealers began an unnecessary 'discounting' campaign, much to NVT's annoyance. In response, NVT decided to retain a batch of MkIIIs, to be sold at top retail price through their Andover shop. Andover Norton was in no hurry, so it took several years to sell them all. The final machine went to Mr David Hughes of St Austell, who appointed legendary Norton tuner/entrant Ray Petty to collect the bike. That motorcycle is offered here today and comes with Mike Jackson's 2010 letter to David Hughes confirming its provenance.
The collection was made in 1982 and Ray Petty was pictured seated on the Commando in Motor Cycle News' 14th July edition (page 72). This machine is also pictured on page 105 of the accompanying Norton Buyer's Guide. When Andover Norton Ltd were appointed the UK concessionaires for the Goodyear Eagle tyre, this Commando was used for the launch and photographed with former 500cc Motorcycle World Champion Kenny Roberts seated on it (copy on file). By time of the Hughes purchase, the Shenstone factory had long since completed its last Commando, the final machine, '336539', assembled towards the end of 1977, being retained by John Pedley.
David Hughes kept the Commando in his private collection of 'zero' miles machines in St Austell, Cornwall until, due to failing health, he decided to entrust it to North Cornwall Motorcycles to find a suitable buyer on his behalf in 2014. The current vendor purchased it as a display piece for the lobby of his 'British Themed' hotel, where it was installed in a glass case and has remained on display ever since.
This unique and historic machine comes with the aforementioned authenticating paperwork and a Rider's Manual.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The frame number is 850 336456. The engine number is 850 336456.
Additional information
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