Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  30 Apr 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  35
• Lot Description:
  1955 TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN 5T
  Frame no: 61809Engine no: 5T 61809. This motorcycle will be sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  The legendary Triumph brand epitomises classic British Motorcycles and the free lifestyle that comes with riding. Names like the Bonneville, TR6, Trophy and Trident and the TT Specials have inspired motorcycle riders worldwide to own them, ride them and build them. One of the earliest founded British motorcycle companies and the last one to finally go under in 1983, Triumph Motorcycles have been amongst if not the highest selling brand. Triumph was, to many people, the most well-known as they have always had a star quality all their very own. The Speed Twin 5T was the brainchild of Triumph’s Chief Designer and Managing Director, Edward Turner. A legend in the making, the Speed Twin was launched at the 1937 National Motorcycle Show. The 500 cc OHV twin cylinder engine in a lightweight frame was the first truly successful British parallel twin, trailblazing an entire revolution in motorcycling with every major British marque offering a 500cc twin designed on similar lines to the Speed Twin. After World War II, the Speed Twin was responsible for the survival of Triumph although the 500cc motor being of medium capacity was hardly revolutionary, but the 5T model was lighter than many contemporary singles, easy to work on and with significantly more power and torque. On the night of 14 November, 1940, the majority of the Coventry city-centre was bombed by the Germans and the Meriden Triumph factory, which was literally in the middle of building thousands of military specification 5T’s, was completely wiped out resulting in all of Triumph’s technical records, drawings and designs being destroyed. The early models traditional colour scheme was Amaranth Red with hand painted gold pinstripes and held a stately presence with a modern flair. These models were fuelled by a single Amal Type 6 carburettor with many features such as the transmission and clutch adapted from the earlier Triumph single. The early models had a rigid frame and girder forks-the sprung saddle being the only rear suspension. After the war, the recovery of Triumph at Meriden was largely due to the Speed Twin, which was developed in 1946 with telescopic forks and optional sprung hub rear suspension. The headlamp and instrument area was tidied up in 1949 with the Turner-designed nacelle headlamp which was retained until the end of the model line. In 1953, upgrades to the Speed Twin caused some controversy amongst riders as the generator and magneto were updated with Lucas alternator and battery/coil ignition systems. This pre-unit construction example dates from 1955, by which time the Speed Twin had received a stronger eight-stud cylinder barrel in place of the six-stud original and been updated with a telescopic front fork and swinging-arm frame among many other improvements. This delightful matching numbers example has been in a private collection since it was purchased in 2001 from a deceased estate. It has been totally restored and exhibited in the Motorclassica Concours D’Elegance where it achieved runner up in its class and Won Best in Show at the RACV Mornington Rally for Best Classic Bike, in 2016. It has been virtually unused throughout this time and is presented in immaculate condition throughout. It is finished in the model’s characteristic Amaranth Red with gold pinstripes.
• Estimate:
  A$19,000 - 23,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.