Norton is probably the most well known of British Motorcyles along with Triumph. Both marques have their birthplace
in the West Midlands. Norton Motorcyles are loved and cherished by owners around the globe.
Norton's began in 1898 with James Lansdowne Norton producing chains for bicycles. The company was orginally based
in Wolverhampton. It wasn't until 1902 that the first Norton Motorcycle was produced with a Belgian Clement Engine.
Norton's achieved success due to its sale and production of motorcylces for the military.
In Word War I Nortons even supplied the Russian Army.
By 1913 and trading under the name of Norton Motors Ltd, the company was already making a name for itself and winning
presitigious races. Now based in Birmingham it was to produce world class motorcycles and break many racing records.
Norton Motorcycles became a great success and famous at the Isle of Man TT races where it won consistently and
every year from 1947 to 1954 was dominated by the Norton team.
James Norton died in 1925 and Norton went on to establish its brand and loyal following of enthusiasts.
During the Second World War Nortons produced around 100,000 military machines. Norton was particularly successful
in exporting to the USA where it now has a large loyal and faithful following.
Success at the Daytona and its domination
in USA and Europe did not however prevent it from falling into financial difficulties as early as 1953 when it was
sold to a company called Associated Motorcycle Ltd. Low production, rising costs and competition hindered Norton as it
strived to make a profit.
A line of famous well known bikes followed and continued to do well on the track. The Navigator,
Manxman, Dominator produced bigger and faster bikes. Poor sales forced Associated Motorcycle Ltd to sell out to
a company called Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd in 1964.
The Commando and Roadster models became Norton classics and in 1968 the manufacturing was moved back to Wolverhampton.
In 1972, under the umbrella of NVT ( Norton Villiers Triumph ) and facing severe competition and a series of strikes at its
factories, the company lost substantial sums of money. The British government would not provide any further financial
assistance to NVT.
To avoid liquidation the company changed its name to NVT Engineering Ltd but was itself in liquidated in
1976 though still producing motorbikes until 1977. The last Commando finally rolled off the production line in Britain.
Heavy imports of Japanese motorcycles, increased production costs, strikes of the seventies and shortage of funds finally forced
Norton into defeat.
In 1987 Philippe Le Roux and investors formed Norton Group PLC and in 1988 the company started to produce again
in Lichfield. In 1992 Nortons won the Isle of Man TT races once again. The F1 Norton was heralded as the 'Porsche of
the Motorcyle world' by Le Roux who then swiftly departed from the company in 1991.
What happend afterwards is difficult
to ascertain. Nortons faced an enquiry by the Department of Trade & Industry which investigated the activities of
those involved with the Nortons Group. In 1993 ownership of the Norton name and brand ended up with a Canadian Company
and merged with March Motors in 1998. They are now called Norton Motorcycles once again.
With the decline of the British Motorcyle Industry the Norton Brand has seen many interuptions and hiccups in its
production. The current website of Norton in the USA states:
Today, Norton has the consensus support of both the industry and the Norton faithful.
The new company is committed to restoring the luster to the brand and carrying the Norton torch
as if the original Norton Motorcycles were still in business today.
From the company website we here of the launch of a new Norton........
The Norton 952 Commando is the future. Originally designed and built from the ground up,
this bike continues the Norton legacy of defined style and performance. Norton motorcycle
enthusiasts will recognize the integrated styling of vintage Commandos with a touch of modern flair.
This modern roadster reflects the soul of the original machine. Classic sculptural forms
are combined with raw functionalism, laying beautiful shapes over a structural frame and
muscular motor; resulting in a visual language that is both sensual and purposeful. With
a very narrow waist and curves in just the right places, the 952 is a bike that feels as good as it looks.
We wish them all the very best......
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