1. "Manufactured by Norton VIllers Limited" is what is shown on the VIN plate. The rest is added with the handy dandy stamp set.
2. Similarly a Shelby mustang core is made by Ford. I doubt I would accept a regular mustang reworked as "Shelby" for 1/4 million$.
3. A "manufacturer" has the legal obligation (don't they?) to provide a (certificate of origin) which will be accepted by the US Fed as a manufactured vehicle.
I have copies of my COO of both my NEW Ducati vehicles and a few other vehicles that I put on the road. You must turn in the original COO to get a title the first time it is sold and titled/registered.
4. A state issued title here in the USA is notoriously not credible. Especially the older stuff. Examples of creative titleing are are so numerous it's almost humerous. Yes, it's now on the road, but to me gives very little credibility in state government titling as proving anything except you paid your taxes.
5. A norton commando was sold out of Michigan or Minnesota into Mass. Totally bizarre number as VIN on paperwork. It was sold and retitled twice with same number. Upon being sold a third time is was looked at by the buyer and surprise...the titled vin was not even similar to anything we would recognize as "norton".
To me, the sale of the modified Norton by Dunstall is worth exactly that....1. Sold by Dunstall 2. If appropriate, hot rodded by Dunstall.
While I always hav been interested in Dunstall stuff, I have also tried to research the ins and outs of what makes a legit Dunstall.
A long time ago bought a 71 commando that had the full "kit". Dual discs(yes chromed), clipons, rear sets, 1/4 fairing, Borranis, early big tank, seat/tail section( green gel coat/no paint), high compression barrels + cam, 2-1-2 side winder exhaust with mufflers and early type long aluminum hanger. IMO it doesn't make it a "dunstall" manufactured brand. The original 71 did not have a Dunstall stamped Norton VIN plate. I sold it with fastback body work as a Norton.
I still have the whole kit and I will be reassembling everything into a donor 71 I have acquired. I feel it would be just another fraud to say it "IS" a Dunstall. Maybe I should "Dunstall UK " stamp my Norton Villers VIN plate?(not)
I will accept not everyone has the same acceptance of what is authentic as to "Dunstall" legally or just spiritually...
Possibly the UK Inland Revenue declaration/acceptance of "Dunstall" as a marque is meaningless except for political maneuvering for racing purposes. I'd still be curious to see a copy of a certificate of origin for import to the USA.
I certainly am not the judge and jury.
