Dominator 99 in red

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Hi

I have just joined the club and wondered where i can get some information on how many Dominator 99 models where done in post office red and how many are still around,

I have recently purchased a 1958 model that im in the process of restoring so all information would be helpful

regards

Lee

Red Dominator 99 models were available from the London based distributor Comerfords - the info I have is thatthe red modelswere only available from them , hence this colour commonly being known as "Comerfords red". Given only one Norton distributor supplied these red bikes they will be fairly scarce , perhaps just a few hundred. You'd need to research Comerfords sales records for more accurate numbers.

My 58 Dommi, according to the factory records, is an original Red one and it came from Elite Motors of Tooting. It is listed as having Twin carburettors, H.C. Pistons, Large Valves, Polished Head. Incidentally, my Dad had had it since 1965, when we came to restore it back in the 70's we tried to match the paint using the inside of the primary case (un-faded).The original red seemed lighter than the red recommended by the club. Keith Heckles dommi was painted in a similar shade and judging by photos (hard to tell, I know) the bike in the National Motorcycle Museum also looks to have this shade of red - any comments/ideas???

Regards, Ian.

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Hi Ian,

My domminator has come from a guy who has owned it for 55 years.

i too have taken a part with unfaded paint to a local paint supplier who have scanned it and come up with a match from an old Mazda

regards

Lee

I have a 1957 ES2 in red that appears to be ariganol in red, been sitting a long time, but mostly complete.

Previously alan_rogers wrote:

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Hi Ian,

My domminator has come from a guy who has owned it for 55 years.

i too have taken a part with unfaded paint to a local paint supplier who have scanned it and come up with a match from an old Mazda

regards

Lee

I have a 1957 ES2 in red that appears to be ariganol in red, been sitting a long time, but mostly complete.

Hello,

Interesting comments about the red Dommie's been looking for one for quite some time anybody got a spare one !!!!!!!!!

Den Bourne.

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Hi

I have just joined the club and wondered where i can get some information on how many Dominator 99 models where done in post office red and how many are still around,

I have recently purchased a 1958 model that im in the process of restoring so all information would be helpful

regards

Lee

Hello Lee.

I have a genuine Post Office Red "99" . Many years ago I got the factory figures for red Dominators, I think it was 158 but I may be miles off the mark with this number. I will try and find the letter I got confirming the number but this will take some time.

I am in South Devon , when I was living in North Devon I came across two other red Dominators in that area. The owners maintained that their bikes were genuine red ones which, if true is quite amazing. Three red Dominators in such a small area..

I think they are quite rare now. Mine was the only one at the recent Norton Festival in Brixham. I expected to see another amongst the "over 300 Nortons" on display.

Good luck with the project.

Cheers Mick

Previously james_fanning wrote:

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Hi

I have just joined the club and wondered where i can get some information on how many Dominator 99 models where done in post office red and how many are still around,

I have recently purchased a 1958 model that im in the process of restoring so all information would be helpful

regards

Lee

Red Dominator 99 models were available from the London based distributor Comerfords - the info I have is thatthe red modelswere only available from them , hence this colour commonly being known as "Comerfords red". Given only one Norton distributor supplied these red bikes they will be fairly scarce , perhaps just a few hundred. You'd need to research Comerfords sales records for more accurate numbers.

Morning folks.

I have now found the letter I referred to.

Book number 28 of the factory records , which covers all models from 13/9/1957 to 11/2/1960 reveals there were around 940 Model 88 Dominators and around 250 Model 99 Dominators painted red produced between 25/10/1957 and 10/2/1960.

The information about Comerfords is wrong. My "99" left the factory on 25/2/1958 despatched to Dawes Motorcycles , and was sold to Colin Chisnall of Urmston, Manchester and is listed as red. It still bears its original Manchester registration number.

Incidentally a late friend of mine was a tester at Norton Motorcycles and he told me the factory ceased producing red motorcycles because the colour faded to orange within twelve months.

Cheers Mick

Previously lee_hwozdyk wrote:

Thanks for that Mick

Is there any chance that i could have a copy of the letter?

if so i can message you my fax number or if you could e-mail me a copy i would be very greatful

Any idea how many are still around?

regards

Lee

Lee.

The letter only states what I have mentioned.

In 2005 I asked the VMCC if they had any Norton records to confirm my 1958 "99" was a red production bike. They confirmed what I suspected - as I mentioned - but there is nothing in the letter about any other specific bikes.

The VMCC should still have the factory records, If you give them your registered number , frame number (and date of registration if you have it) they should be able to tell you whenyour bike left the factory, which dealer it went to , when and to whom the dealer sold it and what colour it was when it left the factory.

I have no idea how many are left,

Incidentally the colour of Post Office Red is well matched by B & Q's "Mail Box Red" which covers my BSA GPO Bantam

If you need any more help give me your land line telephone number so I can speak to you.

Cheers Mick