Description
This motorcycle is Lot 289 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 289
Property of a deceased's estate
1955 Norton 500cc Model 30 Manx Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Frame no. K11M 62874
Engine no. K11M 62874
Engine card no. PM149
Delivered new in the UK
Raced in India and Ceylon
Returned to the UK in 1980
Present ownership since 1982
An older restoration
Matching numbers
This Norton Manx was originally supplied to Comerfords of Thames Ditton for a rider called Wynes. The machine was imported from Ceylon in 1980. According to paperwork on file, while overseas the machine had been the property of Chandra de Costa, the former All Ceylon and All India Champion. These details were confirmed in a letter from John Harrison of The Norton Owner's Club to the late owner dated 17th February 1982. John Harrison also supplied a copy of the original Tuning Notes for 1954/ 5 Manx Models together with a list of results for De Costa (see file).
From a Jeff Clew article in The Classic Motor Cycle, May 1984: "I thought I would include a photograph of another of his (the late owner's) machines - a 1955 499cc Manx Norton which he has fully restored to an amazingly high standard. It came to light when I enquired what was under the dust sheet in his garage, and it must be the most original in specification of these models to exist. It had spent much of its early life in India, where it had been ridden very successfully by Chandra De Costa, who won the All-India Race Meet at the Yelehanka circuit, Bangalore, for three years in succession. According to a contemporary copy of Motor Cycling, De Costa at that time was the reigning Senior Champion of Ceylon. Eventually, the original engine was removed and replaced by a Triumph twin unit, but fortunately when the machine was rescued, the Norton engine was still standing alongside it. The machine is once again fully competitive, Ray Petty having helped sort out the engine."
On file is a list of new and used parts that presumably were used in the restoration, together with a letter from John Farrington (from Woodley, Berkshire) discussing the rebuild. Mr Farrington purchased this motorcycle whilst resident in Colombo, Ceylon, in 1978 from a Neil Jansen and imported it into the UK in 1980 (see letter on file from the Commissioner of Motor Traffic regarding this machine and two others). Also on file are several applications for export licences on behalf of De Costa (in Poona, India) dating from 1958 and 1960 for repairs carried out by Francis Beart (quoting engine number 'K11M 62874'). A copy of letter dated December 1979 from De Costa states that he had previously used this machine.
An older restoration that has been stood for some time and is now in need of recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent, the Manx has belonged to the late owner since at least 1982, and is featured on the front cover featured on the front cover and as a double page spread in Manx Norton Super Profile by Cyril Ayton.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
