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LOT 215

1952 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird Registration no. FBA 507 Frame no. 19213NA Engine no. 6T4539

Sold for £4,945 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 215

1952 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird
Registration no. FBA 507 Frame no. 19213NA Engine no. 6T4539

1952 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird
Registration no. FBA 507
Frame no. 19213NA
Engine no. 6T4539

Always a step ahead of their rivals, Triumph followed up the trend-setting Speed Twin 500 of pre-war days by being first in the field with a 650cc parallel twin. Announced in September 1949, the 650 Thunderbird was Triumph's response to demands for more power emanating from American racers and British sidecarists alike. A spectacular launch stunt saw three Thunderbirds lap the Montlhery circuit at over 90mph for 500 miles, after which they each achieved a flying lap of 100mph-plus and were ridden back to the Meriden factory. An interesting change to the Thunderbird for 1952 was the adoption of an SU carburettor in place of the original Amal, a specially prepared machine managing a staggering 155mpg at a steady 30mph on a factory organised economy run.

Purchased in November 1991 (sales receipt available), this Thunderbird has been displayed as part of the Brent Museum in The Library at Willesden Green, and is offered with an old-style V5 registration documents and some expired MoTs.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

The engine number is 49558.

Additional information

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  • 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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