The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection, c.1949 Norton 499cc Model 30 Manx Racing Motorcycle

• An older restoration
• History unknown

Dubbed 'Manx Grand Prix' in 1939, what would become the best-known racing motorcycle of all time had become simply 'Manx' when production resumed in 1946. Norton's over-the-counter Manx racers were much as their pre-war counterparts, with single-overhead-camshaft engine, 'square' cylinder head finning, upright gearbox and plunger-suspended 'garden gate' frames. Only the presence of the Roadholder telescopic front fork readily distinguished them from the '39 machines. The year 1949 brought the first significant change in engine specification, the Manx gaining a double-overhead-camshaft 'head like that enjoyed by the works bikes for many years, but the major development was the arrival of the Featherbed frame for 1951. The works' adoption of the McCandless-designed duplex-loop swinging-arm chassis the previous year had given the Nortons a welcome lease of life in Grand Prix racing, and Geoff Duke duly took both the 350 and 500cc world titles in 1951. The cycle parts remained essentially unchanged from then onwards apart from the adoption of a double-sided, twin-leading-shoe front brake for 1962. Manx engine development though, continued steadily, latterly under Doug Hele's direction, until production ceased at the end of '62, among the most significant design changes being the adoption of 'square' bore and stroke dimensions for 1954 and coarser-pitch bevel teeth in 1957.

Nothing is known of the history of this Norton Manx (apparently an older restoration) prior to its purchase for the collection in 1989. It should be noted that the original frame number has been ground off and that the numbers present do not look like genuine factory stampings. Apart from a note regarding engine settings ('built on Castrol R 40') and an HPI check for the registration 'ESV 687' and frame number '13166', there are no documents with this Lot. It should also be noted that the HPI lists the engine number as '69391'. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the correctness or otherwise of this motorcycle's component parts prior to bidding. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.