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“... in a manner of speaking,” agrees Norman Lorton (pictured above), secretary of the 4500-plus strong Norton Owner’s Club (NOC), “but it’s not a raffle. The club is simply giving the bike away.”

There has to be a catch, of course. And there is. But only a small one.

“Anyone on the NOC members register in November 2009 will be eligible for the draw. All the names will go into a hat, and someone is going to ride away on a beautiful motorcycle, tax free.’

The Commando, served up totally rebuilt in an immaculate wine red, is in fact a 1975 850cc Mk2A Interstate, one of the last of its type. There are a few modifications, but to all intents and purposes the specification is pretty much as it left the factory.

But just why are the club foisting such munificence on an unsuspecting world?

“It’s the NOC’s Golden Jubilee year,” explained Norman. “We’ve been around since 1959, and this bike is our way of giving something back to the members.”

Or anyone who wants to fork out the £17 membership fee between now and the prize?

“Well that’s true,” agrees Norman. “We’ll probably pick up a few extra members who may never have looked twice at a Norton, but nevertheless fancy their chances. But with any luck, the bike will go to one of our more “genuine” Norton members. That’s what we’d like.”

And the odds of winning this classic Commando are very, very good; certainly a lot lower than the 1 in 13 million chances of hitting the National Lottery jackpot.

“What we’d like,” added Norman, “is for the winner to personally come and collect the bike—which might be tricky for some people because the NOC has members around the globe, so the draw is wide open.”

But if the winner prefers a cash prize, the club is putting up £3000, which is about £2000 lower than the market value of the Norton, but still a significant piece of change.

The draw for this beautiful Interstate will be held on 15^th November 2009 at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC.

Interested? Then log onto to the NOC website at: www.nortonownersclub.org and start stacking your pennies.

Note: Click here to check out Sump's

Norton Commando Buyers Guide.