Two Norton Racers to Go Under the Hammer in Carmel

The upcoming motorcycle auction at Quail Lodge on May 14 will feature two unique competition machines to be offered for grabs, Bonhams recently announced. The bikes in question are the 1959 Norton Manx 500 and 1956 Norton Daytona 500, who will be joined by a line-up of bikes that includes Steve McQueen's 1971 Husqvarna.

Taken separately, the Norton Manx was named for the ancient dialect spoken by the inhabitants of the Isle of Man, the location of the world's most renowned motorcycle race.

This Manx is an AFM/ACA National championship winner ridden to victory in the 1960s by Buddy Parriot, the first American to ever win GP points – on this very bike – and who once came in second on a Norton only to the legendary Mike Hailwood. Moreover, Parriot had this bike serviced by expert Clarence Czysz, whom the Motorcyclist called "one of America's greatest tuners."

“In the Parriot family ownership for 48 years and only ever ridden by Buddy, this race bike underwent a complete ground-up restoration just a few years ago by famous Norton racer Tony Murphy and is in authentic and perfect condition,” Bonhams says.

On the other hand, made by the Norton factory specifically to race on the ocean sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona model is also unique and rare, since only a handful of these purpose-built works racers were ever created.

This motorcycle has been in the same family ownership for a half-century and was campaigned extensively in AMA and AFM amateur races, including Daytona, earning several documented podium placements.

“With proven race history, there are few better examples of these two legendary British competition models available anywhere,” added Bonhams.