Vehicle Description
The Norton Motorcycle Company is a British motorcycle marque originally from Birmingham, UK. It was founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade. By 1902, the company began manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range. This began a long series of production of single and eventually twin cylinder motorcycles and a long history of racing involvement. Production of the military Model 16H and Big 4 side valve motorcycles was Norton’s contribution to the WWII war effort with almost 100,000 being manufactured. When major shareholders started to leave Norton in 1953, the company declined and Associated Motor Cycles bought the shares. Although motorcycle sales went through a recession in the 1950’s and Norton was only a small manufacturer, sales flourished. A series of Norton Dominator Twins of 500cc, then 600cc, then 650cc and then the 750cc Norton Atlas kept sales buoyant, especially with sales to the USA. In 1968, the new 750cc Norton Commando Model appeared with the engine, gearbox and swing arm unit isolastically insulated from the frame with a series of rubber mountings. This kept the vibrations from the rider giving a smooth and comfortable ride. The Commando was a best seller and voted #1 Motorcycle of the year a number of times in Britain. In 2008, Stuart Garner, a UK businessman bought the rights to Norton and relaunched Norton in its Midlands home at Donington Park to develop a new range of Norton Motorcycles.
Probably the most well-known enthusiast from Olde England is Paul Dunstall. He built, sold and raced his completely modified Norton’s with great success. Dunstallize and Customize are synonymous in Britain. Paul Dunstall was to Norton what Carroll Shelby was to Ford. New Norton’s were ordered and delivered to Paul’s corner store in Southeast London where they were stripped down completely to the frame. Then the bike was built up to the individual customers requirements. Usually the frame was chromium plated for an extra charge. Paul Dunstall replaced many items such as the gas tank, fenders, seat, rear wheel, exhaust, foot pegs, brake levers, etc. The engines were also stripped down to the crankcase and rebuilt it with Dunstalls proven gear that included items such as the pistons, camshaft, valves, valve springs, ports and carburetors. The horsepower was increased from 49 bhp to 66 bhp. The 750 model did 0-60 in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.
This 1969 Norton 750 Dunstall is an outstanding example. This Norton is the real deal that documented by the Nortons Owners Club. The letter confirms the number stamped on the frame and engine was allocated to a Norton Atlas Model and dispatched from the factory on July 24th, 1968 to the agent Paul Dunstall of London S.E.9, England. Machines dispatched to the agent Paul Dunstall were modified with Dunstall after-market parts to customer specifications and sold as Dunstall machines.
Norton Dunstalls are very hard to find especially ones that have been restored to concours standards. This Norton Dunstall was treated to an extensive nut and bolt concours restoration by expert Norton restorer Tracy Moyers. It was completed in July of 2017 and only has 2 test miles since completion. Every piece was restored or replaced and it’s show quality throughout. This is a numbers matching motorcycle.
This is arguably one of the best examples of a 1969 Norton 750 Dunstall Atlas in the world.
