Norton Commando John Player Special

The Norton Commando John Player Special was a 1974 limited-edition version of the Norton Commando with bodywork styled to reproduce the Formula 750 works racers sponsored by the cigarette maker John Player and Sons. It was based on the Mk2A 850 Commando, and around 200 were made, of which about 120 were exported to the United States, where it sold for around 3,000 dollars, 500 more than a standard Commando. Norton chairman Dennis Poore had formed the works team in 1971, and after its 1973 successes the company decided to capitalise by building a road version. Stylist Mike Oldfield designed a hump-backed single seat with storage, a fairing by Avon with twin headlights, rearsets, clip-on bars and a black chrome exhaust. Production began in late 1973 and the first bikes reached showrooms in April 1974, built on the Commando lines in Andover and Wolverhampton.