LOT 196
1938 Triumph 500cc 5T Speed Twin Frame no. T.H.5087 Engine no. 5T 6202
Estimate: US$28,000 - US$32,000
Lot 196
1938 Triumph 500cc 5T Speed Twin Frame no. T.H.5087 Engine no. 5T 6202
The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction|23 January 2020, 12:30 PST|Las Vegas, Caesar's Entertainment Studios
1938 Triumph 500cc 5T Speed Twin
Frame no. T.H.5087
Engine no. 5T 6202
Frame no. T.H.5087
Engine no. 5T 6202
• Benchmark pre-WW2 Twin that changed the face of British motorcycling
• Iconic design from Edward Turner, doyen of the 1930s
For Edward Turner, designing Triumph's first successful parallel twin would have seemed like a doddle. After all, in 1931 working for Ariel he had penned something much more complex. His 500cc square four was, in essence, two twins situated one behind the other to form a square configuration, with each pair of pistons having its own counter-rotating crankshaft geared to the other, and valve actuation by way of a chain-driven overhead camshaft.
In 1936 Ariel purchased a financially struggling Triumph and installed Turner as chief designer and managing director. After spicing up the company's staid line of singles, he turned his attention to what would become known as the Speed Twin, powered by a 500cc parallel twin that while simple in comparison to the square four, would have a profound effect on British motorcycling. Turner bolted his new engine into a Tiger 90 single chassis, painted the cycle parts Amaranth Red and sent the bike off to the 1937 Olympia Show in London.
'Edward Turner's intention was always to produce a vertical twin, a design he had considered at Ariel after creating an experimental twin out of half the Square Four. Turner removed the front crankshaft to allow the engine to function as vertical twin, and both Val Page and Bert Hopwood were watching this experiment. While he considered it extremely sound from an engineering point of view, Turner didn't see it having a wide appeal. So, he immediately embarked on creating the Speed Twin, which appeared in July 1937.' Ian Falloon, The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles (Motorbooks, 2015.)
Public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Here was a 500cc twin not much larger physically than the singles of the day, and while it made only a few more horsepower than the one-lungers, power delivery was much more refined and, just as important, the engine was easier to kickstart into life. That it was one of the most handsome-looking machines of that era certainly did not hurt. Two years into its production run, however, World War II put the Speed Twin on the back shelf.
This beautiful Amaranth Red Speed Twin was restored to its original specification in 1998 by Terry Clark of Gig Harbor, Washington. Clark has been restoring Triumphs to the highest of standards for well over 30 years. Originally sold in the UK – it still carries its cheese-cutter 'license' plate on the front fender, FJO 477, a registration from the city of Oxford.
• Iconic design from Edward Turner, doyen of the 1930s
For Edward Turner, designing Triumph's first successful parallel twin would have seemed like a doddle. After all, in 1931 working for Ariel he had penned something much more complex. His 500cc square four was, in essence, two twins situated one behind the other to form a square configuration, with each pair of pistons having its own counter-rotating crankshaft geared to the other, and valve actuation by way of a chain-driven overhead camshaft.
In 1936 Ariel purchased a financially struggling Triumph and installed Turner as chief designer and managing director. After spicing up the company's staid line of singles, he turned his attention to what would become known as the Speed Twin, powered by a 500cc parallel twin that while simple in comparison to the square four, would have a profound effect on British motorcycling. Turner bolted his new engine into a Tiger 90 single chassis, painted the cycle parts Amaranth Red and sent the bike off to the 1937 Olympia Show in London.
'Edward Turner's intention was always to produce a vertical twin, a design he had considered at Ariel after creating an experimental twin out of half the Square Four. Turner removed the front crankshaft to allow the engine to function as vertical twin, and both Val Page and Bert Hopwood were watching this experiment. While he considered it extremely sound from an engineering point of view, Turner didn't see it having a wide appeal. So, he immediately embarked on creating the Speed Twin, which appeared in July 1937.' Ian Falloon, The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles (Motorbooks, 2015.)
Public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Here was a 500cc twin not much larger physically than the singles of the day, and while it made only a few more horsepower than the one-lungers, power delivery was much more refined and, just as important, the engine was easier to kickstart into life. That it was one of the most handsome-looking machines of that era certainly did not hurt. Two years into its production run, however, World War II put the Speed Twin on the back shelf.
This beautiful Amaranth Red Speed Twin was restored to its original specification in 1998 by Terry Clark of Gig Harbor, Washington. Clark has been restoring Triumphs to the highest of standards for well over 30 years. Originally sold in the UK – it still carries its cheese-cutter 'license' plate on the front fender, FJO 477, a registration from the city of Oxford.
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 8 5T 8202. Please note, the title will be in transit.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Client Services (Los Angeles)
Client Services (New York)
Client Services (San Francisco)
Auction Viewings
- 22 January 2020, 09:00 - 18:00 PST
- 23 January 2020, 09:00 - 12:00 PST
