Norton 850 JPS 1974
This was a fully-faired version of the venerable Commando, in cafe-racer trim with red and blue stripes on the white bodywork. Also available that year were the more conventional Commando 850 Roadster MkIII and the Interstate.
Norton Commando Hi-Rider 1975
As the name implies, this model had high handlebars and a raise rear section of the saddle. It was not everyone's cup of tea.
The Commando is discussed in further detail here: Norton Commando
Machines appeared under the NVT (Norton Villiers Triumph) marque from 1976 to 1979. consisted of series of mopeds called the Easy Rider and were fitted with Italian Morini engines with one or two speeds. In 1978 the 123cc and 171cc Rambler trail models appeared, both with Yamaha engines.
These were all removed from the Norton catalogue in 1979, and reappeared under the BSA banner as the Brigand, the Beaver and the Boxer. See BSA in the 1970s
Norton P42 Commander
Wankel Rotary
Norton purchased the jigs and plans for the W2000 Wankel from Hercules and in 1978 developed a prototype rotary, the P42 Aurora. It used an air-cooled, twin-rotor 588cc engine driving via a 5-speed Triumph Trident gearbox. The newly designed frame had Marzocchi front suspension, Girling rear, Radaelli wheels with Brembo brakes. The Aurora did not enter production.
Norton Interpol Rotary 1987
Norton had been developing the P41 and P42 rotary-engined machines since the late 1970s. In 1979 they built 25 copies of the the Mark I rotary, followed in 1981 by the Mark II which was sold as the Interpol II to the British police services.
The Norton Classic rotary appeared in 1987 in a strictly limited edition of 100 units in silver livery highlighted in black and red.
Sources include Bonhams Auctioneers
