Only two private owners from new, 1965 Triumph 649cc Thruxton Bonneville

Registration no. DOJ 555C Frame no. T120 DU 23139 Engine no. T120 DU 23139

• One of an estimated 73 Thruxton models built
• Present ownership since circa 1988
• Restored by its late owner

Like Velocette's top-of-the-range Venom variant, the Thruxton version of Triumph's Bonneville took its name from the endurance race for production machines held at the eponymous Hampshire circuit. Stakes were high and no stone was left unturned in the search for new ways of extracting extra performance from what were supposed to be standard street machines. Newly arrived from Norton, Doug Hele was in charge of Triumph's Experimental Department, which was charged with developing the Bonnie into a race winner.

The first batch of eight specially prepared Thruxton Bonnevilles was completed in 1964 and the model was first listed in Triumph's 1965 catalogue. For the 1965 season a further batch of 52 machines was assembled in May of that year. It is estimated that some 73 Thruxton Bonnevilles were produced between 1964 and the end of 1967.

The example offered here, 'DOJ 555C' ('T120 DU 23139') was part of the 'main batch' of Thruxton Bonnevilles produced in 1965. The build date was 22nd May and the machine was despatched on 10th July '65 to Motor Sales of Birmingham. The old-style green logbook shows that the machine was first registered to Motor Sales Ltd and then to its first private owner, Michael Orange, in August 1965.

Its late owner purchased the Thruxton from his friend Michael Orange circa 1988 and spent many years restoring it at his place of work (a British Rail stores). His passion was cars and motorcycles, particularly restoring them, and he spent a long time trying to ensure the Triumph was restored correctly (he was always able to start it first kick). The machine was last run in 2015 and its owner died the following year, since when it has sat in his garage, carefully covered up. Re-commissioning and the customary safety checks will be required before it returns to the road.

It should be noted that the front brake plate is a later TLS type from 1968, and that both the oil tank and toolbox cover with the scallops are incorrect. There should be a Triumph transfer on the tank, and the primary chain-case breather is a later addition.

One of the rarest and most sought-after of post-war Triumphs, this Thruxton Bonneville is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate; an original workshop manual; an album of restoration photographs; a copy of Triumph Thruxton Bonneville 1959-1969 by Claudio Sintich; and a history file of correspondence, bills, MoTs, photocopied literature, etc.
Offered with key