Offered from the estate of the late Derek Fox , 1930 Norton 490cc Model 18

• First purchased by Derek in the 1970's
• Restored by the late engineer Ian Webb
• Extensively ridden by Derek
• Featured in the April 2004 edition of The Classic MotorCycle

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, dry-sump lubrication and a rear-mounted magneto being standardised. The most obvious external alteration in its appearance before then had been the adoption of a 'saddle' tank for 1929.

The VMCC has kindly consulted their copy of the Norton factory records and confirmed that this Model 18 (frame number '40941', engine number '46863') was despatched on 31st January 1930 to Lov Motors, Birmingham and purchased by one L S Manning some nine months later. It should be noted that the records list the gearbox number as '106118'.

Derek Fox first purchased this Model 18 circa 1970 from a Mrs Gandy, a prolific collector living near Bourne, Lincolnshire. He later sold the Norton to his friend, engineer Ian Webb, who completed its restoration and enjoyed riding it until poor health intervened. After Ian's death in 1991, Derek repurchased the Model 18 and recommissioned it, going on to ride the machine on an almost daily basis and using it to attend VMCC section events far and wide. The full story of Derek's Model 18 was recounted by Richard Rosenthal in an article in the April 2004 edition of The Classic MotorCycle (copy on file) when previously registered 'OG 5248' .

An older restoration, the machine will require safety checks and recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road (the engine turns over). Accompanying paperwork includes old/current V5/V5C documents and an old-style continuation logbook issued in 1946 and listing seven owners, the last being the aforementioned Mr Webb, who acquired the Norton in 1978.
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