1951 Norton 490cc ES2
Registration no. YVL 621
Frame no. G4 40754
Engine no. G4 40754

Introduced at the 1927 Motor Cycle Show, the ES2 sports roadster used the Model 18's overhead-valve engine in the cradle frame of the overhead-camshaft CS1, and from then onwards the 'ES2' designation was always applied to Norton's top-of-the-range, overhead-valve single. The ES2 was built in several versions during a production run lasting until 1963, though the engine dimensions of 79x100mm bore/stroke - first adopted by James Lansdowne Norton in 1911 - remained unchanged to the end. Post-war developments included the adoption of Roadholder telescopic forks (1947), an alloy cylinder head (1955), alternator electrics (1959) and the slim-line version of the race-developed Featherbed frame, which was introduced on the single-cylinder range for 1961. Production of all of Norton's traditional singles ended in 1963, though the 'ES2' model name lived on until 1966, in its latter years referring to AMC's Matchless G80, suitably re-badged as a Norton.

Registered with the age-related number 'YVL 621' in 2014, this ES2 is described by the current owner as an older restoration to a high standard. Kept on display as part of the vendor's private collection, the machine is offered with DVLA paperwork, V5C registration document and a Norton Owners Club dating letter, the latter revealing that it was despatched new on 18th September 1951 to Rye's of London.