History of Norton

In 1960, Norton introduced the Manxman, its first 650 twin motorcycle. It was mainly exported to the United States, but also found its way to Australia, Sweden, and the Falklands. Two years later, the Atlas 750 was produced and it was primarily meant for the American market.

Unfortunately, in 1966, due to financial difficulties, AMC was taken over by Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd and restructured as Norton-Villiers under the leadership of Dennis Poore.

Out of Norton's previous models, the 750cc Atlas twin seemed to be the most promising. However, the high RPMs caused vibration problems. To solve this, Norton developed isolastic suspension and separated the engine from the frame with rubber bushes for a smoother ride—resulting in the 745cc Norton Commando twin.

In 1967, the Norton Commando, the world's first production superbike, was revealed to the public at the Earls Court Motor Show. The Commando was widely popular selling over 55,000 units in the following decade and was named Motor Cycle News' Machine of the Year for five consecutive years.

However, as Japanese motorcycles became more popular, many British motorcycle brands struggled, and production of the Commando was halted in 1977.

In 1972, Norton introduced the ‘Combat’ engine to the market. However, another British motorcycle company, BSA, was facing financial difficulties, and the government stepped in with a bailout on the condition that they merge with Norton-Villiers—leading to the formation of Norton Villiers Triumph (NVT) in 1973.

The following year, Norton began working on a new monocoque, pressed steel frame, paired with a 500cc engine, known as the ‘Wulf’. However, development was eventually abandoned in favor of the rotary Wankel-type engine.

Under the NVT brand, Norton released the ‘828 Roadster’, MK II ‘Hi Rider’, JPN Replica, and the MK IIa ‘Interstate’ in 1974. By 1975, the Norton lineup had been reduced to just two models: the MK III Interstate and the Roadster.

In the 1980s, the liquidation of NVT caused the companies under it to be separated and dissolved, with Norton coming back in 1988.

Norton launched the new ‘Commander’ and the Spondon Engineering framed F1 in 1988.

In 1992, Norton achieved success in the TT with the Senior TT win by Steve Hislop on his Abus Norton model—the first British win in 30 years.

The Wankel-engined Interpol 2—with styling much like that of a BMW R100RT—brought in some sales through the police force, and a civilian version of the rotary-powered motorcycle (the Classic) was also produced. However, commercial sales were sluggish and mismanagement issues led to a financial decline once more.

In the late 1990s, US-based Kenny Dreer, who initially modified Commandos, started to produce entire motorcycles. He was planning to manufacture the 961 Commando in the early 2000s, but ultimately halted operations in April 2006 due to financial constraints.

Fast forward to 2008, Stuart Garner acquired Norton Motorcycles and aimed to revitalize the iconic brand at its home in Donington Park. However, certain business practices came under scrutiny and legal proceedings were taken against him and some of the associates of Norton/Garner—resulting in a setback for the company once again.

Although it seemed like Norton's journey may have come to an end, there was still a glimmer of hope.

In April 2020, TVS Motor Company acquired Norton Motorcycles, marking a new era for the brand. In 2021, Norton moved to new facilities, introducing new and innovative models to help the brand regain its leading position in the global motorcycle market.

Here are some of the key milestones in Norton's history, including the models, events, and achievements that have helped to shape the brand into what it is today.

The introduction of the Energette, Norton's first motorcycle, is a significant piece in the company's history. With its 143cc single-cylinder Clement engine, the Energette marked the beginning of Norton's journey as a motorcycle manufacturer.

The Energette set the foundation for Norton's future models and established the company as a pioneer in the motorcycle industry.

Norton's win in the inaugural Isle of Man TT in 1907 is remembered as a defining moment in the company's history and a symbol of its racing heritage. Riding a 5hp Peugeot-engine Norton, Rem Fowler won the twin-cylinder class solidifying his place as one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers in the country.

The war demanded much from the industry, and Norton did their part by supplying close to 100,000 motorcycles to the Allied forces.

During the war, Norton had to adapt their production to meet the demands of the military. They produced several models specifically for the war effort, including the Norton 16H and Big 4 side-valve model, reliable motorcycles that were well-suited for military use.

Manx Nortons played a key role in post-war car racing development. With its high power output, the Manx engine became a popular choice for the Formula 3 category by 1950.

As a result, many complete Manx motorcycles were bought and stripped of their engines for car racing, as Norton did not sell standalone engines.

Developed in the 1950s by Rex McCandless, the featherbed frame was a revolutionary design that changed the way motorcycles were built. The frame was made of thin-walled tubing, which was stronger and lighter than traditional frames, resulting in better handling and performance of the bikes.

First used on the Norton Manx racing motorcycle, it helped the Manx win several races and established Norton as a major player in the motorcycle racing world. It also became the standard for Norton motorcycles for several decades and continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts today.

The Norton Commando, revealed to the public in 1967 at the Earls Court Motor Show, was a great achievement in the brand's history as the world's first production superbike.

Its popularity was undeniable, with over 55,000 units sold in the following decade and earning the title of Motor Cycle News' Machine of the Year for five consecutive years.

In April 2020, Norton Motorcycles was taken over by TVS Motor Company which marked the start of a new and exciting era for the brand and its supporters.

In 2021, Norton underwent a resurgence by drawing inspiration from the past to create a legacy for the future. This included moving to new state-of-the-art facilities and introducing new models. These innovative models would help Norton reassert itself as one of the leading motorcycle brands in the world.

Norton's success in the racing scene in the 1930s was a major milestone in the company's history. Winning 78 out of 92 Grand Prix races and 7 out of 9 Isle of Man TTs helped establish Norton as one of the top motorcycle brands and sparked its popularity among enthusiasts.

Norton's dominance at the Isle of Man Senior TT continued after WWII, with the brand winning the race every year from 1947 to 1954.

When the featherbed frame was introduced in 1950, it gave the Manx motorcycle a significant boost in performance. This new design helped the Manx achieve the remarkable feat of winning six consecutive Isle of Man TT races, thanks to the skilled riders John Surtees and Geoff Duke.

In 1952, Geoff Duke, riding for Norton, achieved a historic feat by becoming world champion in both the 350cc and 500cc classes and was later awarded the OBE for his contribution to motorcycling.

In the late 1980s, Norton made a comeback in the racing scene with the introduction of the rotary race bike designed by Brian Crighton.

The bike, piloted by Steve Spray, went on to win several national races, including the British Formula One Championship and the 750cc Supercup Championship in 1989 on the RCW588, with JPS as the title sponso

In the early 1990s, Steve Hislop achieved great success on his Abus Norton motorcycle, winning the 1992 Isle of Man Senior TT. This win was the first for a British motorcycle in nearly 30 years and is still remembered as one of the greatest senior races of all time.

In 1994, Ian Simpson rode a Norton motorcycle sponsored by Duckham's to victory in the British Superbike Championship, marking two decades of victories for the brand.

In 2018, Norton's hard work and dedication to development were rewarded when Josh Brookes rode the SG7 to become the fastest British bike at the Isle of Man TT, a significant achievement for the brand.

This model was a top performer in the late 1940s and early 1950s, thanks to its inclusion of the Featherbed Frame in 1950. This update allowed the Manx to dominate TT and GP races across Europe.

Launched in 1949, the Norton Dominator was a twin-cylinder motorcycle powered by a 500cc engine. It featured a new "lay-down" gearbox and updated styling, including telescopic front suspension and a plunger rear suspension. It was a premium model for the brand.

This model was introduced in 1958 and was a 249cc air-cooled OHV twin designed for learners. Though it had some early issues, it featured the smallest engine Norton had ever produced and created a whole new market.

In 1960, Norton launched the Navigator, a 349cc version of the Jubilee with improved performance and enclosed bodywork.

Launched in 1962, the Atlas was a 750cc OHV twin featuring Norton's tried-and-true vertical twin engine in a Featherbed Frame. Though it had a strong performance, it struggled with vibration and was eventually replaced by the Norton Commando in 1968.

This iconic model was a seminal motorcycle for the brand, introduced in 1969 with a 750cc Norton Atlas engine and had a new frame featuring Isolastic Suspension to combat vibration. As the world's first production superbike, this model was a huge success for Norton.

Norton also had a brief stint with rotary motorcycles after the discontinuation of the classic Commando. These Wankel-engined bikes were developed but failed to have the same impact as Norton's traditional designs.