1954 Norton Model 88 Dominator

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

1954 Norton Model 88 Dominator
Frame no. J122 57121
Engine no. 57121 J122

Norton jumped aboard the vertical-twin bandwagon in 1948 when it introduced the Model 7. Designed by the legendary Bert Hopwood, the new 500cc engine went into the existing ES2 plunger-frame/tele-fork cycle parts, a marriage that necessitated a redesign of Norton's well-proven four-speed gearbox.

Norton's 500cc twin found a new home in the racing singles' 'Featherbed' duplex frame in November 1951. Initially for export only, the newcomer - titled 'Dominator 88' - was the first production Norton roadster to feature the lightweight, race-proven chassis. Updated year by year, the Dominator had received an alloy cylinder head, full-width hubs, welded rear subframe, alternator electrics and coil ignition by the decade's end and - for 1960 - the narrower 'slimline' Featherbed frame among countless other improvements. Motor Cycle magazine clocked 92mph on an '88' in 1957 and, needless to say, the handling and roadholding were found to be first class.

Purchased directly from England, the motorcycle offered entered Mr. Jacobs' Collection in 1992 and remained well-preserved through its ownership. Its beautiful condition pushed Mr. Jacobs to show the bike at the Amelia Concours and had him received the British in the Blue Ridge medal from the Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association.

Saleroom notices

Please note, the title will be in transit.

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