Same family ownership since 1968, 1927 Norton 490cc Model 18

Registration no. OP 4961 (see text) Frame no. 26369 Engine no. 33223

• Same family ownership since 1968
• Restored in 1991/1992
• Dry stored since 1992
• Requires re-commissioning

Like the majority of their contemporaries, Norton relied on the sidevalve engine until the 1920s, when the existing and well-tried 490cc unit was used as the basis for the firm's first overhead-valve design. Penned by James Lansdowne Norton himself and first seen in prototype form in 1922, the overhead-valve Norton made little impact in that year's Senior TT, though at Brooklands D R O'Donovan raised the world 500cc kilometre record to over 89mph using the new motor. A road-going version - the Model 18 - was catalogued for 1923, quickly establishing a reputation for both speed and reliability when a standard engine assembled from parts was used to set a host of records, including a new 12 hours mark. Alec Bennett won the Senior TT for Norton in 1924 and, demonstrating that racing really did improve the breed, the Model 18 gaining Webb forks and better brakes for 1925 as a direct result of the works team's experiences.
The Model 18 retained its essentially Vintage characteristics until 1931 when the range was extensively redesigned, the most obvious external alteration in its appearance before then being the adoption of a 'saddle' tank on the 1929 range. Today the Vintage Model 18 enjoys landmark status as Norton's first overhead-valve roadster and is highly prized by discerning enthusiasts.
This Vintage-era Model 18 has been in the same family ownership since 23rd May 1968 and has been stored in a dry garage since its restoration in 1991/1992. Works carried out at that time included stove-enamelling the frame and one wheel; repainting the fuel and oil tanks; and replacing the piston rings, valve springs, pannier bags and handlebar grips. On completion, the machine was MoT'd in March 1992 (bills and MoT certificate on file); it last ran in 1995 and will require re-commissioning at the very least and possibly more extensive restoration following this long period of inactivity. Accompanying documentation includes an old-style VE.60 logbook (issued 1971) and some charming period photographs, including one taken at the Isle of Man TT in the early 1970s. It should be noted that the registration 'OP 4961' is not recorded in the DVLA or HPI databases. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding.
Offered without key