Norton P51/4 on ebay

[Tonny]

We have a discussion on another forum, about this nice Norton P51. Can anyone help, what is a P51 ?http://tinyurl.com/qwhmbshttp://tinyurl ... fe2n-Tonny

[Richard Negus]

Hi Tonny,P51 was the Norton project code for the prototype water-cooled version of the Interpol2 ; P52 was the project code of the water-cooled Commander, which was a very different bike to the P51.I believe six engines and four bikes were made, with engine numbers P51/1 to P51/6 ; none survived as complete bikes, all being dismantled and scrapped or parts used on other projects.Main engine differences to the Commander were sand cast rotor housings, r/h end plate in the thermostat area, and a water pump without bearings.When Shenstone Norton were in dire need of cash (1993'ish), two air -cooled bikes were 'produced' from parts lying around the development shop and given the numbers and registration of two of those P51 prototypes (P51/4 and P51/6, I think). One was white and one was royal blue (from the first RAC demonstrator) and they were sold to UK customers as ex-development prototypes.It would seem that one has been painted silver and is now in the US.Obviously, the advertiser is in error in claiming it is a Classic as it's a bit of a bas%tard really - but an interesting bike all the same. All the bits are genuine Norton but were never together on a series-production Norton.R.

[Tonny]

Thank you very much for the detailed answer.-Tonny