Offered from the estate of the late Derek Fox , 1928 Norton 490cc Model 18

Cylinder barrel no. 35539
Gearbox no. CS99007LN

• Matching numbers
• Owned by Derek for over a decade
• An older restoration

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. Newly introduced for 1923, Norton's Model 18 OHV sports roadster quickly established 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. The Model 18 retained its essentially Vintage characteristics until 1931 when the range was extensively redesigned, dry-sump lubrication and rear-mounted magneto being standardised, the most obvious external alteration in its appearance before then being the adoption of a 'saddle' tank for 1929. There were numerous improvements made to the engine throughout the 1930s, including enclosure of the valve gear, while Norton's own four-speed foot-change gearbox replaced the old Sturmey Archer in 1935. Production of an essentially unchanged 1939 model resumed after WW2.

The Vintage Motor Cycle Club has kindly consulted their copy of the Norton dispatch records and confirmed they show that this 1928 Model 18 (frame number '32289', engine number '39563') was despatched on 16th April 1928 to Beach Motors, London N13 and purchased by G E Styles of Palmers Green, N13 on 8th May 1928. It should be noted that the records list the gearbox number as '90007'. Notable features include tool boxes, a BTH magneto and an Amal carburettor.

'YV 5826' was purchased from Mr Jim Scott of Midhurst, West Sussex, as evidenced by an undated purchase receipt on file. Last taxed to April 30th 2013, the Norton appears to be an older restoration and has clearly been used in some events. Nevertheless, the machine will require safety checks and recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road (the engine turns over). Additional documentation includes a 1935 purchase receipt; a 1975 Norton Triumph Europe dating letter; a 1936 tax disc; and some technical drawings. The HPI report lists the machine as 'previously registered overseas' and suggests it was re-registered in 1982.
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