This example of the legendary Norton ‘Garden Gate’ DOHC Manx represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic and successful motorcycle models in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
The racing success of the camshaft Norton needs no introduction. Introduced in this form in 1930 with the ‘Carroll’ camshaft engine, the SOHC model saw continuous development throughout the 1930s, with the ‘Garden Gate’ plunger suspension and telescopic forks introduced just before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Production, and racing success, continued after the war in 1946 where the Manx emerged as a fully developed, race-ready machine offered not only to factory riders but also to privateers. With the introduction of the Featherbed frame in 1950, the Norton Manx stayed competitive right into the late 1950s and early 1960s as confirmed by the many victories of the Norton Works Racing Team and privateer racers.
The DOHC engine introduced in 1949 was a 500cc DOHC longstroke single, carefully built by the Bracebridge Street race-department and produced around 47 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. Not bad for a 500cc Single.
One tuner well known for extracting even more power from the Norton camshaft engine, was Francis Beart. Known for his connection to Norton and for preparing succesfull camshaft Nortons for privateers. Starting his career as a racer in the 1920s and 1930s he quickly made his name as a tuner accumulating many race results for riders such as Johnny Lockett, Cromie McCandless and Denis Parkinson. So succesfull he was, that Norton asked him to prepare a trio of Norton DOHC Manxes for the Daytona beach races in 1949. With wins in 1949, 1950 and 1951, the job was done to perfection.
This interesting 1949 ‘Garden Gate’ Manx was originally shipped to Phil Heath on the 29th of March 1949. Phil Heath raced at the Isle of Man TT that year and placed a respectable 11th at the Senior TT, most likely on this very mount. The engine fitted to this Manx is a potent 1950 Manx DOHC Longstroke engine that was delivered to the aforementioned tuner Francis Beart in 1950. It is unknown when the engine was fitted, but it is certain that Phil Heath raced again at the 1951 Isle of Man TT, this time finishing 34th.
In any case, any Norton Manx raced at the Isle of Man TT, not to mention a Manx engine worked on by Francis Beart, is rare and highly prized among historic racing enthusiasts and collectors.
Forming part of a collection for many years, this Norton Manx was restored a number of years ago to correct ‘Garden Gate’ specification and to a very high standard. Original, large capacity alloy oil tank with filler neck on the left hand side, large capacity, bolt-through petrol tank, also in alloy, Manx conical hubs in magnesium, Dunlop rubber seat and correct bum pad, original and hard-to find primary chain oiler, long neck Amal TT carburettor in bronze specific to Norton etc etc.
The DOHC ‘Garden Gate’ Manx remains in outstanding cosmetic and mechanical condition and requires only light recommissioning (fresh oil and fuel) and is an ideal acquisition for collectors, historic racing enthusiasts, or for museum display.
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