The annual open day at Andover Norton, market leader in Norton spare parts, this year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Norton Commando. It was the best open day so far with more visitors than ever before, according to director Joe Seifert of Norton Motors Group.
“It was a good idea to tell our guests well in advance that we’d not be selling spares that day, so all Andover employees had a good day chatting with their customers instead of sitting on the computer writing invoices or hunting through the stores for that elusive spare part as on the other open days before.
“As compensation, guests received a free mug commemorating the Norton Commando’s 50th birthday.
“As has become a tradition, ex-factory employees came to meet their old colleagues from the Commando era. Most notable was Commando project leader, Bob Trigg, responsible for the whole development, answering to Norton boss Dennis Poore at the time. He later became product planner at Yamaha Europe, working there with Richard Negus, previously draughtsman at Norton Villiers, who ran a private race team in his spare time. Richard built what was probably the only classic British bike to average more than 100mph in the 1973 24-hour race at Spa/Belgium. His 750 Commando was ridden by Pete Davies and Pete Lovell, now a Norton specialist. Lovell was at the open day, too, reminiscing with Richard.
“Another Commando person was tester Bob Rowley, later to become chief of production in the Norton Rotary era. As road tester his task was to test Commando components to destruction – which he developed into a fine art!
“Mike Jackson, ex-Norton sales manager for the US West Coast in the 1970s and later owner of Andover Norton, came by and spoke to many of his ex-colleagues and visitors.
“Norman White, ex-JPN Norton race team, brought his ex-factory Commando racer and intended to start it. Unfortunately, it had developed an electrical problem just standing in his workshop for a month since it last ran, so after much pushing the volunteers had to give up.
“Another machine did start, repeatedly! The 1952 ‘Trusty Tractor’, bought by the Andover Norton for its curiosity value. It is driven by a Norton “industrial engine”, which is nothing but a Big4 600cc SV single of the era. The tractor had just been restored by Nick Hopkins, who worked for Andover Norton from day one in 1977 up to his retirement as MD in March 2013. Many employees, owners, and guests of Andover Norton had fun test-driving the tractor around the car park.
“The visitors enjoyed themselves, many thanking us for the great day they had. Furthest travelled was master baker Franz Edlfurtner, who came from south of Munich to attend for a couple of hours, then got back into the saddle of his trusty Commando 850 mk3 to ride home again! General opinion was it was a great success and we all look forward to 2019.”
Pictured are early arrivals and, below, Bob Rowley, Bob Trigg, Richard Negus, and Joe Seifert behind Joe’s 1968 Commando