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LOT 216

1959 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird Special Project Registration no. 124 GKL Frame no. 028127 Engine no. 6T 4271N

Sold for £2,645 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 216

1959 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird Special Project
Registration no. 124 GKL Frame no. 028127 Engine no. 6T 4271N

1959 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird Special Project
Registration no. 124 GKL
Frame no. 028127
Engine no. 6T 4271N

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.

This much-modified 1959 Thunderbird features an earlier engine fitted with a Bonneville-type twin-carburettor cylinder head together with a more modern disc-braked front end among other departures from standard. Purchased in April 2003, the machine is offered with various sales receipts, two old-style V5 registration documents, an expired MoT, and a list of past owners. Sold strictly as viewed.

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

This lot is offered with one old V5 only. The engine number is 6T 2471N.

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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