LOT 89

1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin Registration no. FAT 363 Frame no. TH.7394 Engine no. 8-5T 14588

Sold for £17,250 inc. premium

Lot 89

1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin
Registration no. FAT 363 Frame no. TH.7394 Engine no. 8-5T 14588

The Summer Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show (Three-Day Auction)|2 July 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin
Registration no. FAT 363
Frame no. TH.7394
Engine no. 8-5T 14588

Although Edward Turner's Triumph Speed Twin caused a sensation when it appeared at the 1937 Motorcycle Show, few of its admirers can have guessed how influential the design would prove to be. True, there had been vertical twins before; indeed, Turner's predecessor at Triumph - Val Page - had designed one a few years previously, but Triumph's newcomer established a formula that would be adopted by all of Britain's major motorcycle manufacturers in the succeeding decade. Light, narrow and from certain angles looking just like a twin-port single, it was just what the conservatively minded motorcycling public wanted, and the Speed Twin would prove enormously successful. Performance was exemplary for a road-going 500, around 85mph being attainable by the Speed Twin while the Tiger 100 sports version was even faster, being capable of touching 100mph in road trim and exceeding it with the silencer end-caps removed. When production resumed in 1946, the Speed Twin reappeared with telescopic forks in place of the original girders, and separate dynamo and magneto instead of the pre-war version's magdyno. This apparently well-restored Triumph Speed Twin is offered with a V5C document in the previous keeper's name. It should be noted that the frame and engine numbers are transposed on the V5C.

Saleroom notices

There is an age related scuff to the top of the tank where the handlebars have been fouling. There is now an old style log book with the machine. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 89: click here

Additional information

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Cycling, Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 201 to 551)
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