c. 1957 Norton International, Model 30, Project, 490 cc. Reg...

Hammer

£12,500

c. 1957 Norton International, Model 30, Project, 490 cc. Registration number not registered. Frame number M11 72050. Engine number M11 72050 (os 907).
One of the most charismatic model names in motorcycling history, 'International' was first used by Norton for its top-of-the-range sports roadster in 1932. The Inter's overhead-camshaft engine had been developed in the works racers for the preceding two years, and although it retained the classic 79x100mm bore/stroke dimensions and shaft-and-bevels cam drive of the existing CS1, was entirely new. Based on the works bikes and intended for racing, the International could nevertheless be ordered with refinements such as lights and a kick-starter equipped gearbox. By the time production halted in 1939 it was being built with a four-speed foot-change 'box and plunger rear suspension (the 'Garden Gate' frame), reappearing after the war in similar guise save for the adoption of the hydraulically-damped Roadholder front fork, which replaced the pre-war girder. The Inter remained fundamentally unchanged until 1953 when it gained the race-developed Featherbed frame, all-alloy engine and 'laid down' gearbox. Expensive to make and challenged by cheaper parallel twins of comparable performance, the Inter ceased to be catalogued after 1955 but could still be obtained to special order until 1958, many of these later machines incorporating Manx components.
By 1955, the International was no longer listed in Norton's sales catalogue. A Model 30 International, with its all-alloy 79mm bore by 100mm stroke single-cylinder engine could, however, still be special ordered until 1958. Compression was 8.1:1, and according to Barry Stickland, writing for the Norton Owners Club (NOC) U.K., a new style of silencer was introduced to help the engine, which was rated at 29.5 horsepower, deliver a bit more power. The wheel hubs were full-width cast iron. Road holder forks absorbed bumps at the front, and distinctive bolt-on chrome panels adorned the gas tank. 1957 saw only 70 of the Model 30 (490cc) and ten of the Model 40 (350cc) built.
72050 was delivered to St Andrews Motors, a dealership for Norton and Vincent motorbikes on Gallowgate in Newcastle upon Tyne. A rare survivor, this matching numbers machine was owned by Jimmy Maughan of Guisborough, Cleveland, who had a motorcycle sales and repair business. It is believed he bought it in 1959. He passed on some 30 years ago and his wife retained his collection which included the CB32 Gold Star in this sale. Local undesirables began breaking into the shed where they were stored and started removing parts from the machines. His widow then covered them with furniture and the roof later collapsed. Rescued by our vendor when she needed a new roof on her home she could not find the paperwork for either machine.
There is no paperwork with this lot.