Developed from a design by Rex McCandless and first used by Norton on the works single-cylinder racers in 1950, when Geoff Duke rode it to a debut race victory at Blandford, the legendary 'Featherbed' frame has long been the special-builders' favourite. McCandless's design was way ahead of its time, and of the opposition, enabling Norton to maintain the competitiveness of their singles in the face of the growing challenge from foreign multis. New standards of steering, roadholding and comfort were set by the new frame, which was immediately dubbed 'Featherbed' by Norton works star Harold Daniell. Although designed with a single-cylinder engine in mind, the generously proportioned Featherbed would in time prove capable of accommodating a wide variety of different power units - twins, triples, fours and v-twins, all could be made to fit with a little ingenuity.

There have been several constructed with the Vincent v-twin engine, such as that offered here, which consists of wideline Featherbed frame dating from circa 1954 and a motor made around 1951. The fuel tank is signed with the initials 'B/M', which we are advised stands for Graham Bonny and Clive McDougal, who raced the machine up to 1978. In 1996 the Norvin was acquired by the current vendor in Germany, and fully restored over the course of the next three years. Its specification includes an engine bored to 1,200c and overhauled by Bob Dunn, cams made by Eric Kruse in Germany, Amal Concentric carburettors, Norton/AMC gearbox, Bob Newby belt primary drive complete with outrigger bearing, Lucas 12-volt alternator, large capacity alloy fuel tank, alloy wheel rims, double-sided front brake, steering damper and matching Smiths instruments. Described as reliable and running perfectly, the machine is offered with sundry restoration invoices and German registration papers.