1937 Norton WD16H New Zealand Army, 490cc. Registration numb...

Estimate

£5,000 - £6,000

1937 Norton WD16H New Zealand Army, 490cc. Registration number TXS 655 (non transferrable). Frame number 86424. Engine number 81368.
Sold with the V5C and Norton Owners Club letter.
A 16H was first offered for military evaluation in 1932, together with a Norton Model 18 and a Norton Model 19. It was found to be suitable and the Norton designers began working with the War Office on a range of developments and modifications. Military orders were placed for the 16H (designated WD16H for War Department use) from 1936 and continued throughout the course of the Second World War, setting a ten-year record for the longest time the War Office procured a single make of motorcycle. A popular despatch machine, the WD16H was also used for training, reconnaissance, convoy control and escort duties.
TXS is recorded as being dispatched to the New Zealand Army on the 21st December 1937 with five other 16H's. They were fitted with an Amal sand carb, modified Vokes air cleaner, pillan seat, lifting handle to the front guard and a bash plate. This example stayed in service until 1973/4 when it was demobbed and bought by a collector who intended to restore it in his retirement, this never happened and our vendor found it and brought it home to the UK.
The original leather seats can be seen under the red coverings. It is a running machine and now just needs a bit of fettling to attend the 80th Normandy Landings celebrations.