1935 Norton International Special

Towards the end of 1930, the Arthur Carroll-designed overhead-camshaft engine was introduced on Norton's CS and CJ road models, and in 1932 these were joined by a new top-of-the-range sports roadster – the International - which bore a closer resemblance to the works racers and was equally at home on the racetrack. By the time production halted in 1939, the ‘Inter’ was being built with a four-speed foot-change gearbox and plunger rear suspension (the so-called 'Garden Gate' frame). It reappeared after the war in a similar guise, save for the adoption of the hydraulically-damped Roadholder front fork. A number of Internationals formed the basis for home-built specials.

This 1935 International Special was created by the previous owner some 25 years ago from parts he had collected. Both the builder and the present owner have enjoyed using it during the summer, primarily for local road runs and the odd steam rally, but it has not been taken onto the road for a couple of years so some recommissioning will be in order. The combination of the racy proportions and ‘oily rag’ patina make this one of the most attractive pre-war specials to our eyes. It comes complete with the current V5C.