World record price for a 500cc Manx Norton

A world record price of almost GBP32,000 (US$61,000) has been paid for a Manx Norton at last Saturday’s (November 4) H&H auction in the United Kingdom. It was the second consecutive world record for a Manx for H&H, with the previous auction having raised the ceiling for 350cc Manx Nortons to a tad under GBP24,750. The world record 500 Manx in question was a nicely presented 1961 example that had been restored some 15 years ago and sported an engine built by Manx maestro Ray Petty.

The first Suzuki TR50 to come up for sale for many years inevitably caused considerable interest at the same auction. The 1967 example offered won the British 50cc Championship in its early days and subsequently secured both the 2004 and 2005 pre-1969 Series. It sold for more than expected at GBP19,250.