Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 33: Norton at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle is a Norton special with a Norton 850 race engine in a 1964 Atlas frame, a Manx-style tank and a wide swinging arm.
What to check on any Norton 850 Atlas special
- Engine mounting. The Commando engine was designed for rubber "Isolastic" mounts; the featherbed mounts the engine rigidly. Norton Owners Club and Access Norton forum members agree that a rigidly mounted 850 will vibrate. Some builders use rubber-mounted conversions, sometimes called "featherlastic". Ask which approach was used and look for broken lamp filaments, cracked brackets and loose fittings.
- Engine plates. These are normally made for the job. Forum builders warn that a weak top mount or small bolts can shear, and that the engine has to be inclined to suit the frame. Check plate thickness, bolt size and that nothing is cracked or fretting.
- Primary drive and chain line. Fitting a Commando chaincase can mean moving the engine and gearbox closer together. Check chain alignment, guides and for oil leaks from the primary case.
- Frame. Look for cracks around the headstock and engine mounts. Owners describe bracing modifications; any added bracing should be neatly welded.
- Oil system. Builders use featherbed tanks, other tanks and oil coolers. Check pipes and look for leaks.
- Numbers. Note the frame number and the engine number and check both against the V5C. The V5C should describe what the machine is, not just what the frame was.
Checks for this car
- It is a special, so check the registration and how the V5C describes it.
- Ask who built it and what records exist.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- Who built it, and when?
- How is it described on the V5C?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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