The first duplex-framed Trophy built, 1960 Triumph 649cc TR6 Trophy

Registration no. 754 XME Frame no. D904 Engine no. TR6 D904

• Long-term previous ownership (59 years)
• Professionally restored in the mid-1990s
• Former Bromley Pageant of Classic Motoring 'Best Classic Bike'

Success in the International Six Days' Trial (ISDT) in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to adopt the 'Trophy' name for their off-road-styled twins, at first for the 500cc TR5 and then for the 650cc TR6. Introduced for 1956, the 650cc Trophy featured the new aluminium-alloy cylinder head of the Tiger 110 sports roadster. Its off-road pretensions were more style than substance though, amounting to little more than the fitting of a smaller fuel tank, quickly detachable headlamp, and larger-section rear tyre. The Trophy retained its sporting character but became more of a roadster as time passed, ending up, in effect, as a single-carburettor T120 Bonneville when reintroduced, after a five-month absence from the range, in February 1961. More tractable than the Bonnie and more economical too, the Trophy gave little away in terms of outright performance, the bike's standing quarter-mile time and top speed being within a whisker of its twin-carb sibling's.

This particular Trophy previously belonged to Brian Wilkinson, who purchased it in 1962 from George Clarke's dealership in London. Removing the Steib sidecar to which it was attached, Brian and his wife toured Europe extensively on the Trophy, visiting Italy, Yugoslavia and Greece in 1965 and France, Spain and Portugal in 1969. As the Wilkinsons lacked a car, the Triumph was also used for everyday commuting and by 1977 had clocked up an astonishing 123,000 miles. Tempted by a new Honda four, Brian advertised the Trophy for sale but received no replies and consigned it to the back of the shed.

Approaching retirement in the mid-1990s, Brian exhumed the Trophy and despatched it to Triumph specialists Ace Classics in Southeast London for a full restoration. Following its completion, the refurbished Trophy won the 'Best Classic Bike' award at the prestigious Bromley Pageant of Classic Motoring. The story of Brian and '754 XME' was recounted in a four-page article in the July 1999 edition of The Classic Motor Cycle magazine (copy available) in which it was revealed that his 1960 model, registered in December 1959, is the first Trophy to leave the factory with Triumph's new duplex frame. This is confirmed by dating documents on file, which also show that the Triumph had been despatched in October 1959 to Pinks of Harrow.
Brian did not use the Trophy a great deal after its restoration, but nevertheless kept it for another 20-or-so years before selling it to the current vendor in 2021. This TR6 Trophy is offered with restoration invoices, an old-style logbook and old/current V5/V5C documents.
Offered with key