The Norton Commando Bible

Published by Veloce 144 pages hard cover ISBN: 978-1-78711-006-9 Available from Renniks (02) 9695 7055 www.renniks.com RRP: $55.50

Even today, the Commando polarises opinion with Norton aficionados who consider the loss of the Featherbed frame a crime. But there’s little doubt that the Commando gave a much-needed injection of life into the Norton brand which would have perished sooner than it did without this model. This book covers the Commando from the beginning to end – in fact, before the beginning as there is a chapter on the ugly P10 prototype – thank goodness Norton didn’t proceed with that one – with its one-metre long cam chain and prodigious oil leaks. The book even extends to the Cosworth Challenge, another one best forgotten, but which could have become the final incarnation of the Commando. As usual in this series, there are sections on engine numbers and production dates, component suppliers, and various model specifications – all handy stuff for buffs and restorers alike. Ironically, with the march of anno domini, the Commando is probably, to the current generation, the best known Norton of all, and probably more popular today than ever.