Norton Sidecar World Champ53 Oliver/Dibb by MEA Kit 43
Eric Oliver was one of the greatest riders in the history of sidecar racing and won four World Championships in the early postwar era. The last of those was in 1953 when facing the challenge of the increasingly powerful and effective BMWs that would go on to dominate the sport for the following decade and beyond, he came up with a radical new design which changed the face of sidecar racing completely. Although Oliver had support from Norton in the form of an engine supply, the outfit was of his own design and build with the bodywork made by Watsonian sidecars. His new design saw the rider kneeling in the frame with his feet behind him, allowing a much lower centre of gravity and better stability in high speed corners and this basic layout soon became the standard in the sport. MEA’s model is in his typical slightly rugged style and it captures the shape and spirit of the machine very well, though a fair bit of careful fettling will be needed on the kit parts. The finish of the hand built is generally good and the rider and passenger figures are fixed in place. A very important piece of motorcycle racing history.
| Description: | Norton Sidecar World Champ53 Oliver/Dibb |
| Catalogue#: | MEA045 |
| Product Type: | Resin/Metal Kit |
| Scale: | 1:43 |
| Event: | Motorcycles, GT & Sports Car Racing |
| Colour: | - |
| Drivers: | Oliver, Dibben |
| Sponsors: | - |
| Dates: | 1953 |
| Race/Position: | - |
| Release Date: | March 2011 |
| Weight: | 250 grams |
| Comments: | World Champion |
About MEA Kit 43
An interesting range initially specialising in 1:43 motorcycles. The nature of the subjects and the size of many of the parts mean that these are best suited to those with good eyesight! Casting quality is variable and this combined with the size puts them firmly in the 'for the experienced modeller' category.
Alongside the bikes are a number of Dakar raid subjects and early Lotus race cars, again offered as kits and hand builts. The SPL series is hand built only and concentrates on very unusual race cars. Build quality is basic, variable and nowhere near the class leaders and usually presented in recycled Spark cases. Very interesting subjects that may otherwise not be modelled and therefore for the hardcore collector.
Made in France.