1954 Norton Model 7 Dominator

The Amelia Island Auction|3 March 2022, 10:00 EST|Fernandina Beach Golf Club

1954 Norton Model 7 Dominator
Engine no. 54091J12

Norton's first vertical twin, the Model 7 Dominator, was introduced in the late 1940s. Conceived by Bert Hopwood it incorporated several lessons learned from his involvement with other twin cylinder designs; i.e. with BSA at Small Heath, and Triumph at Meriden. Hopwood's Norton twin reputedly ran cooler than its 500cc rivals and, while unable to match the higher rpm of Edward Turner's Tiger 100, Dominators in general definitely "churned more power low-down", together with quite reasonable handling. It should be stated however that the agreeable looking Model 7 was slightly overshadowed once the factory had launched its 88/99 Series featherbed-framed sibling. Because the majority of single down-tube and duplex-framed Nortons were automatically destined for overseas markets – under the government's prevailing Export or Die campaign, a policy applicable to virtually every large capacity British bike – only

a trickle of Model 7s were initially released on the home market. Putting these restrictions to one side, though, there were no less than seven parallel twins listed back then by UK factories, from which group the Dommie earned itself a reputation as one of the best.

The Model 7 presented here was purchased new by a gentleman called EP Marshall from Heolgerrig, Merthyr Tydfill, Wales and presents today in a condition commensurate with the care Mr. Jacobs gave to his bikes, showing very nicely and shiny. Purchased directly from the UK, Mr, Jacobs had the bike restored in the 1990's by P.D Engineering out of Pontefract, England. As one of its best presented pieces, Mr. Jacobs showed the bike to the Amelia Concours and used it for the British in the Blue Ridge Rally from the Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the frame number is not visible / illegible and the title will be in transit.

Additional information

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