S-22720-0-1

289Ex Isle of Man, 1949 Junior Clubman’s TT1949 Norton 350cc InternationalModel 40Registration no. UMT 39Frame no. D10 22101Engine no. D10 22101Towards the end of 1930, the Arthur Carroll-designed overheadcamshaftengine was introduced on Norton’s CS and CJ roadmodels, and in 1932 these were joined by a new top-of-the-rangesports roadster - the ‘International’ - that bore a closer resemblanceto the works racers and was equally at home on the racetrack.Although based on the works racers, the ‘Inter’ could be ordered withrefinements such as lights and a kickstart-equipped gearbox if thecustomer so desired. By the time production halted in 1939 the Interwas being built with four-speed foot-change gearbox and plunger rearsuspension (the so-called ‘Garden Gate’ frame), reappearing after thewar in similar guise save for the adoption of the hydraulically-dampedRoadholder front fork which replaced the pre-war girder. The modelreceived Norton’s race-developed Featherbed frame for 1953, an alloycylinder barrel/head and the new ‘laid down’ gearbox being adopted atthe same time. Expensive to make and challenged by cheaper paralleltwins of comparable performance, the Inter ceased to be cataloguedafter 1955 but could still be obtained to special order until 1958, manyof the later machines incorporating Manx components.Norton factory records held by the VMCC show that this Model 40International was despatched to agent R Way in London, with specialnotes recording ‘Clubmans TT’. Registered ‘UMT 39’, a Middlesexmark, the Norton was supplied to one R Briscoe on 29th May 1949and ridden by him in that year’s Isle of Man TT Junior Clubman’s event,finishing 10th. There is a photograph on file of Briscoe and the Nortonawaiting the start on Glencrutchery Road. Subsequently returnedto road trim, it was acquired by the current vendor in 1997 and isdescribed by him as ‘a delight to ride, the perfect touring machine’.The fork seals were renewed, the rear brake shoes replaced and an‘anti-sumping’ valve installed a few years ago but the machine has notbeen used since because the vendor’s arthritis-afflicted knees makeriding painful. Highly original and nicely patinated, ‘UMT 39’ representsa rare opportunity to acquire a matching-numbers Inter with in-periodTT history. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-stylecontinuation logbook, sundry invoices, a quantity of expired MoTs, andold/current V5/V5C registration documents.£12,000 - 15,000€17,000 - 21,00068 | the spring stafford saleBidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.