The 350 and 500cc Featherbed-framed Manx Norton was available in strictly limited quantities over a 10-year period, arguably becoming the best-remembered over-the-counter racing motorcycle of all time. Norton produce about 100 hand built examples every year, usually just in time for Isle of Man TT Practise, where they habitually provided most of the entry, scooping a host of Silver Replicas in both Junior and Senior events. Norton introduced a few improvements each new season and – until the factory team withdrew – their "works" machines regularly sported the following year's production updates. Despite that the last ever Manx was released circa 1962 the Featherbed chassis continued on sale for many years, traditionally acknowledged as the finest handling frame give or take its choice of engine.

Ridden by the late Buddy Parriot, a former AFM/ACA Champion, the 1959 Norton has a fine race provenance. It was recently the subject of a comprehensive strip and rebuild by Tony Murphy [respected ex Petersen journalist, previous lap record holder at Willow Springs etc]. Tony confirms he took especial care to ensure that the cam timing, porting, and carburetion remained intact, such unique work having originally been undertaken by the legendary, if somewhat secretive, Clarence Czysz, who maintained the bike throughout its successful track life. Now in only its second ownership [that of Parriot family friend Roy Gregory's widow] it is widely believed Buddy himself has been the sole rider to date of this interesting machine on which he gained a superb 6th in Daytona's 1964 US Grand Prix, the first American to gain FIM World Championship points! During the rebuild it was found necessary to source certain new components, including crankcases, from such quality specialists as Andy Molnar, Ken McIntosh, and Summerfield; it should also be noted that its trick Fontana front hub has been retained, as has the 5-speed Schaftleitner gear cluster, which runs through a new belt drive clutch assembly. [As one of Buddy's contemporary rivals Tony was fascinated to discover during his stint with the spanners that Buddy's bike had a 5-speed 'box, a fact about which he was totally unaware; racing, inevitably, thrives on such tactics!] The engine has an OE connecting rod with R & M big end, in conjunction with a Hepolite piston and hairpin valve springs. The magneto is the original Lucas rotating type. The Norton's third owner will be purchasing a piece of American race history!