Description
This motorcycle is Lot 109 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 109
The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection
1953 Norton 490cc International Model 30
Registration no. SPH 390
Frame no. 11 48328
Engine no. 48328 11 Engine card no. OS 409
Five private owners from new
Purchased for the collection in 1992
7 miles since restoration (see text)
Requires recommissioning
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.
Smartly presented, this late plunger-framed International currently displays a total of 7 miles on the odometer, which presumably is the distance covered since its restoration, and would benefit from detailing. The machine comes with V5C, and its original RF. 60 logbook recording that it was first registered by the Comerfords dealership in Thames Ditton. The logbook lists four private owners; our vendor, the fifth owner, purchased the Norton in 1992 (see two photocopied V5 documents on file). Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). Key not required.
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.
