Norton's being revived again - no joke
Starting with a return to the Isle of ManDecember 18, 2008
If there is a motorcycle marque which knows the highs and lows of business, it's Norton.
The legendary British marque, founded in Birmingham alongside the likes of Triumph and BSA, has hit the abyss so many times in its 106-year history that many people have stopped caring - although I'm sure they'd love a Commando sitting in their garage.
But they'll be forced to sit up and take some notice again, because after 15 years of American ownership, Norton is now back in UK hands, courtesy of Midlands-based businessman Stuart Garner.
Garner already owns Norton Racing Ltd, but now he has bought all the trademarks to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands.
A new head office and factory is being built at Donington Park, which is a fitting backdrop to its racing heritage.
On the action front, Garner is planning a return to the Isle of Man after a 16-year absence using the NRV-588 rotary-engined prototype, complete with Spondon frame. The engineer is Brian Creighton, the man behind the Norton racing team in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The bike is based in the RCW588 F1 machine of the 1990s, but now with fuel injection, ride-by-wire technology, variable inlet tracts and Ohlins suspension. It was displayed at the recent NEC bike show in Birmingham, and will be ridden at the Isle of Man by 21-year-old Michael Dunlop.
Let's hope the NRV goes into full-scale production sometime in 2009.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
