LOT 485
1923 Norton 633cc Big 4 Registration no. XM 6742 Frame no. 9843 Engine no. 4345
Sold for £10,925 inc. premium
Lot 485
1923 Norton 633cc Big 4Registration no. XM 6742 Frame no. 9843 Engine no. 4345
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1923 Norton 633cc Big 4
Registration no. XM 6742
Frame no. 9843
Engine no. 4345
Registration no. XM 6742
Frame no. 9843
Engine no. 4345
• Early 'flat tank' Norton
• Present family ownership since 1946
• Off the road since 1955
• Restoration project
Norton relied on proprietary engines in its formative years - winning the inaugural Isle of Man TT with a Peugeot-engined machine - before introducing its own design of power unit in 1907. The long-stroke (82 x 120mm) sidevalve single displaced 633cc and the new model it powered became known as the 'Big 4'. Smaller capacity versions followed and in 1911 the 500 adopted the classic 79x100mm bore/stroke dimensions which would characterise the half-litre (actually 490cc) Norton for the next 50 years. Norton's sidevalve engines were revised for 1914 and in 1921 the Model 16, as it had become known, received a new lower frame, becoming the 16H. Considered by many to be an ideal sidecar 'tug', the Big 4 (and 16H) would be continuously up-dated for the next 30-plus years, many seeing service with Allied forces in WW2. Post-war, the Big 4 was revised with a shorter (113mm) stroke for a capacity of 597cc before taking its final bow, alongside the16H, in 1954.
A wonderful example of an original and un-restored Norton Big 4 'flat tanker', 'XM 6742' was purchased by the vendor's late father in 1946 and last used on the road in 1955. It took part in the Land's End Trial on three occasions during the 1950s and comes with some charming black-and-white photographs taken at around that time. Offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed, the machine is offered with a V5C document, and an old-style buff logbook issued in 1942. The logbook lists the vendor's father as '1st change' and shows that the Norton was formerly attached to a sidecar. The previous owner is recorded as one George Waverley Smith of Sanderstead (from 19th September 1938). The machine features a non-original electric lighting system (original included in the sale).
• Present family ownership since 1946
• Off the road since 1955
• Restoration project
Norton relied on proprietary engines in its formative years - winning the inaugural Isle of Man TT with a Peugeot-engined machine - before introducing its own design of power unit in 1907. The long-stroke (82 x 120mm) sidevalve single displaced 633cc and the new model it powered became known as the 'Big 4'. Smaller capacity versions followed and in 1911 the 500 adopted the classic 79x100mm bore/stroke dimensions which would characterise the half-litre (actually 490cc) Norton for the next 50 years. Norton's sidevalve engines were revised for 1914 and in 1921 the Model 16, as it had become known, received a new lower frame, becoming the 16H. Considered by many to be an ideal sidecar 'tug', the Big 4 (and 16H) would be continuously up-dated for the next 30-plus years, many seeing service with Allied forces in WW2. Post-war, the Big 4 was revised with a shorter (113mm) stroke for a capacity of 597cc before taking its final bow, alongside the16H, in 1954.
A wonderful example of an original and un-restored Norton Big 4 'flat tanker', 'XM 6742' was purchased by the vendor's late father in 1946 and last used on the road in 1955. It took part in the Land's End Trial on three occasions during the 1950s and comes with some charming black-and-white photographs taken at around that time. Offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed, the machine is offered with a V5C document, and an old-style buff logbook issued in 1942. The logbook lists the vendor's father as '1st change' and shows that the Norton was formerly attached to a sidecar. The previous owner is recorded as one George Waverley Smith of Sanderstead (from 19th September 1938). The machine features a non-original electric lighting system (original included in the sale).
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.
Additional information
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