Norton 350cc Manx Replica
Frame no. RER-1
Engine no. 305
•Built by the late Robert 'Bobby' Rowe
•Ultra-short-stroke engine
•Some 60lb (27kg) lighter than standard
•Podium finisher in IHRO meetings
•Engine rebuilt in 2017

When production resumed post-war, Norton's over-the-counter Manx racer emerged much as it had been in 1939, with the single-overhead-camshaft engine, 'square' cylinder head finning, upright gearbox, and plunger-suspended 'garden gate' frame. Only the presence of the Roadholder telescopic front fork readily distinguished the new Manx from its immediate predecessor. 1949 brought the first significant change in engine specification, the Manx gaining a double-overhead-camshaft cylinder head like that enjoyed by the works bikes for many years, but the major development was the arrival of the Featherbed frame for 1951. Works rider Geoff Duke had debuted the Featherbed at Blandford in April 1950, crushing the opposition and setting a new lap record, and the McCandless-designed chassis would enable Norton to remain competitive with the more powerful multi-cylinder opposition for the next few seasons. As far as its cycle parts were concerned, the last Featherbed-framed Manx of 1962 was the same machine as that which debuted in production form in 1951. There were, of course, differences but these were minor when compared with the changes made to the engine. The latter's major revision occurred in 1954 when 350 and 500 models adopted near 'square' bore/stroke dimensions. The result was significantly increased power but the gains would be smaller from then on, and much subsequent development was aimed at improving reliability. Today the popularity of the Manx in classic racing remains undiminished, with original examples racing alongside replicas of differing specification produced by specialist manufacturers worldwide.

The superb Manx replica offered here is mainly to factory specification while incorporating some significant upgrades, not the least of which is an ultra-short-stroke engine. Combining a 55mm stroke (down from the stock 76.7mm) with a 90mm bore, this unit has revved as high as 11,200rpm (at Chimay in Belgium) with up to 10,500 revs observed as a reasonable limit. Bobby Rowe's ultra-lightweight Manx enjoyed considerable success at IHRO meetings in Continental Europe against the series' typically strong opposition, finishing 2nd or 3rd on numerous occasions. Noteworthy features include a single-piece crankshaft with Cosworth shell bearings; P E slipper piston; Arrow titanium con-rod; Exceldyne titanium inlet and exhaust valves; Lucas 2MTT twinspark magneto; Fontana front brake; Manx rear brake and a Quaife six-speed cartridge-type gearbox. We are advised that the engine was rebuilt in 2017. Some 60lb (27kg) lighter than standard, this exceptionally well-specified 350 Manx is a potential race winner in the right hands.

Robert 'Bobby' Rowe sadly passed away on the 29th July 2023. A keen racer since his early 20s, he competed successfully at Crystal Palace, Brands Hatch and other UK circuits. He particularly enjoyed competing in the Isle of Man TT Senior Race, receiving the Newcomer's Award in 1960 and going on to win many more trophies. His love of Nortons, in particular, was always apparent. After racing a Honda 125 twin, he tried to get sponsorship from the Japanese manufacturer, and his photo was used in their literature. Later however, he did get sponsorship in the 1961 IoM TT from Bernie Ecclestone. He rekindled his passion for racing in his early 50s, and avidly collected Manx Norton 500cc and 350cc models over the years. An engineer, Bobby could not resist tuning his engines to out do his rivals on the so-called parades in Europe, often with success.

His daughter recalls being taken with her husband to the Isle of Man to be shown the circuit in a hired rental van, with Bobby pointing out key milestones on the hair-raising 37.73-mile track: the Sulby Straight, Mountain, Kate's Cottage, etc. He was passionate about racing there and the exhilaration never left him. Bobby was still racing or parading into his 80s. The Manx 350 replica was his last project: to create an ultra-short-stroke and ultra-lightweight machine to compete with others of the era and class, honouring a bike he had achieved success on throughout life.


In September 2023, Bobby's daughters asked Godden Engineering to recommission the Manx Norton 350 Replica in the capable hands of Steve Higgins (who had often worked for their father). Steve went on to parade the bike for some six laps at Brands Hatch in a fitting tribute to both Bobby Rowe and his love of Nortons. As part of the recommissioning a new Interspan ignition was fitted; short of some Castrol R, this bike should be ready and able to compete with the best of its class.
Footnotes:
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 21 April starting at 11am GMT.