Description
This motorcycle is Lot 296 - 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 101 - 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 296
Offered from the estate of the late Derek Fox; the ex-H Matthews, 1927 Amateur TT
1927 Norton 490cc ES2 Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1003
Engine no. 35580
The first ES2 listed in the Norton factory records
Supplied to Matthews in 'TT specification'
Formerly owned by Arthur Skinner and before him by Wilf Green
Owned by Derek Fox since 2022
Recently recommissioned
"It was not just the 'works' riders who collected the silver cups, but the amateur, on privately entered machines, won many trophies with a product very similar to the factory racers." - George Cohen, Flat Tank Norton.
Before the inception of the Manx Grand Prix races and Clubman's TT, amateur riders wishing to compete on 'Mona's Isle' were catered for the appropriately named 'Amateur TT'. First run in 1923, the Amateur TT was for riders who had no association with the motorcycle or motor trades in any way and owned the machines they rode, which had to be standard production roadsters. Monetary benefits or other considerations were strictly forbidden. Needless to say, accusations of cheating began to emerge, resulting in an A-CU enquiry following the 1929 race and the exclusion from the results of a number of finishers in the Senior event, including the winner! The Amateur TT was run annually up to and including 1929 before being replaced by the Manx GP for 1930.
The year 1927 was an important one for Norton, as it saw the introduction of the firm's first overhead-camshaft engine, designed by Walter Moore, which went into a new cradle frame, the resulting model being known as the CS1. This same frame was also used for a new model powered by the existing overhead-valve engine: the ES2. Riding one of the new 'cammy' models, Norton works rider Alec Bennett won that year's Senior TT in a new record average speed of 68. 41mph after team-mate Stanley Woods retired from the lead having 'cooked' his clutch. The ES2-type machines also performed well, Jimmy Shaw bringing his home in 4th place.
'1003' is one of four TT-specification overhead-valve machines supplied for the September 1927 Amateur TT races. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club has kindly consulted their copy of the Norton factory records and confirmed that they list details of the machine and its dispatch as follows:
1927 Norton ES2
Engine 35580
Frame 1003
Model ES2
Carb. Binks
Gearbox Special (T. T.)
Extra fittings: Cradle Frame, Full 1927 T. T. Spec
Despatched 24. 8. 27
Supplied to Mr Matthews (A. T. T.)
The above is the first ever mention of an ES2 in the Norton factory records. (Please note, the frame number is stamped to both the down-tube frame lug and beneath the saddle.) No records survive of the works Nortons that raced in the 1927 Senior TT, and it can only be supposition that the ES2s used in the Amateur TT in September were those used at the TT in the June. According to George Cohen: "Norton were always keen to emphasise that they only built 'standard specification' motorcycles... Needless to say the engines coming out of Bracebridge Street, and various sheds at Brooklands, were always 'tweaked'." There can be little doubt that the quartet of machines Norton supplied in September 1927 were 'special', but whether or not they were that year's works TT machines will never be known for certain.
The Motor Cycle magazine's coverage of the 1927 Amateur TT listed all four riders competing on Nortons with a brief description and photograph of the special seat on H Matthews' machine. The weather had been good during practice but in the race was diabolical, with heavy rain and poor visibility. Matthews and Braidwood (P&M) contested the lead over the first few laps before both retired on lap four, Matthews falling at Greeba to join several other riders who had suffered a similar fate there. The race was won by rising star Percy 'Tim' Hunt (Norton), who was making his IoM debut at the age of 19.
Notable features of this particular machine are as follows:
Sturmey-Archer hand-change gearbox no. 117427 (outer case) and inner case W140657
Lucas Racing KRJ1 Magneto
Amac TT Carburettor
Dunlop Drilastic saddle
Pie-crust tanks
Run and bump (no kickstart fitted)
Derek Fox purchased the Norton at a UK auction in July 2022 when it was offered from the estate of the late Arthur Skinner of Buntingford, Hertfordshire, the well known marque specialist, who is understood to have bought the machine in the mid-1990s from MZ importer, Wilf Green. Arthur Skinner spent much of his later years researching the Norton's background, and when auctioned in 1990 it had been partly restored and was offered loosely assembled. The early history prior to Mr Skinner's ownership remains largely unknown.
In August 2024, the Norton was recommissioned by Merv Kendall (see handwritten list of works on file). However, the machine will require safety checks and recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road or track and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). Also, it should be noted that the frame and engine numbers do not necessarily conform to typical factory practices of the period, but that may be due to the machine's origins as a works racing 'prototype'. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's authenticity prior to bidding.
The substantial history file also contains the following:
June 1927 copy of The Motor Cycle (TT Report)
Various other in-period press cuttings and photocopied articles
Several 1927 Amateur TT photographs
Correspondence from Wilf Green to Arthur Skinner
Norton factory records correspondence detailing its specification when new
A 1997 letter detailing various works to the machine.
A binder containing a photocopied maintenance manual and spare parts catalogue
Stefan Knittel - Motobureau correspondence (1999)
A quantity of additional correspondence
A wonderful and exceedingly rare opportunity to own a historic 'ex-works' Norton racing motorcycle with in-period competition history.
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.
