LOT 515
From the estate of the late Roy Houghton 1957 Norton-Ariel 998cc Square Four Special Registration no. NSL 971 Frame no. M14 70339 Engine no. NML 1307 (re-stamped)
Sold for £13,800 inc. premium
Lot 515
From the estate of the late Roy Houghton, 1957 Norton-Ariel 998cc Square Four SpecialRegistration no. NSL 971 Frame no. M14 70339 Engine no. NML 1307 (re-stamped)
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
From the estate of the late Roy Houghton
1957 Norton-Ariel 998cc Square Four Special
Registration no. NSL 971
Frame no. M14 70339
Engine no. NML 1307 (re-stamped)
1957 Norton-Ariel 998cc Square Four Special
Registration no. NSL 971
Frame no. M14 70339
Engine no. NML 1307 (re-stamped)
• Unique special
• Won Best in Show at the Louis Vuitton Annual Concours
This superb Noriel special was Roy Houghton's most favourite motorcycle. By extensively utilising Norton tinware and rolling chassis items, as opposed to Ariel components, the machine looks different from the average Featherbed/Square Four combination. Indeed, the most striking thing about the result is that it looks like a factory catalogued model! Getting it to look this convincing was far from easy, and the lengths Roy had to go to in order to achieve perfection are recounted in an article published in The Classic Motor Cycle (March 2001, edition photocopy on file). The Featherbed frame is from a 1957 Norton Model 50 and the engine is a 4G Mk2 unit dating from the same year. Other notable Norton components include Roadholder forks; both wheels; Commando TLS front brake; and 'pear drop' silencers, the latter a particularly stylish touch. The project took up Roy's time for much of the 1990s, and the completed machine was registered in 2000.
Roy liked to keep a low profile, but some 20 years ago was persuaded to enter his Noriel in the Louis Vuitton annual concours at the Hurlingham Club where it was, unsurprisingly, adjudged 'Best in Show' (see photograph of the LV Award on file). This unique machine is also offered with V5 and V5C documents; Ariel Owner's Guide; Ariel Lubrication Chart; a selection of professional-quality photographs; and the aforementioned photocopied TCM article.
"There are absolutely no short cuts or bodges on this machine," declared TCM. "Roy has kept to his intention that nothing should compromise the lines of his machine, and he has succeeded brilliantly." We can only concur.
• Won Best in Show at the Louis Vuitton Annual Concours
This superb Noriel special was Roy Houghton's most favourite motorcycle. By extensively utilising Norton tinware and rolling chassis items, as opposed to Ariel components, the machine looks different from the average Featherbed/Square Four combination. Indeed, the most striking thing about the result is that it looks like a factory catalogued model! Getting it to look this convincing was far from easy, and the lengths Roy had to go to in order to achieve perfection are recounted in an article published in The Classic Motor Cycle (March 2001, edition photocopy on file). The Featherbed frame is from a 1957 Norton Model 50 and the engine is a 4G Mk2 unit dating from the same year. Other notable Norton components include Roadholder forks; both wheels; Commando TLS front brake; and 'pear drop' silencers, the latter a particularly stylish touch. The project took up Roy's time for much of the 1990s, and the completed machine was registered in 2000.
Roy liked to keep a low profile, but some 20 years ago was persuaded to enter his Noriel in the Louis Vuitton annual concours at the Hurlingham Club where it was, unsurprisingly, adjudged 'Best in Show' (see photograph of the LV Award on file). This unique machine is also offered with V5 and V5C documents; Ariel Owner's Guide; Ariel Lubrication Chart; a selection of professional-quality photographs; and the aforementioned photocopied TCM article.
"There are absolutely no short cuts or bodges on this machine," declared TCM. "Roy has kept to his intention that nothing should compromise the lines of his machine, and he has succeeded brilliantly." We can only concur.
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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