Ex-works, Arthur Lampkin, 1966 ISDT, 1966 BSA-Triumph 490cc Enduro

One of only three made
• ISDT Gold Medal winner
• Well documented
• Present enthusiast ownership since 2005

"A former 500cc motocross Grand Prix winner, gold medallist in the International Six Days Trial, no mean grass track racer, and a brilliant trials rider, Arthur rode into history when he won the 1963 Scottish Six Days." - On Two Wheels.

During the 1965 International Six Days Trial (ISDT), held that year in the Isle of Man, all the BSA Victor works team were eliminated with electrical problems. For the 1966 ISDT, held in Sweden, the Auto-Cycle Union governing body declared that, due to BSA's poor showing in 1965, they would not be invited to submit a team. The reply was that if BSA (who owned Triumph) was not invited, no Triumphs would go either!

A compromise was worked out whereby the BSA machines would be powered by the Triumph engine. Only three such machines were built, and only two were ridden in the ISDT alongside a BSA Victor. Arthur Lampkin won a Gold Medal on this bike, as did his brother Alan 'Sid' Lampkin on the other, but BSA lost the Manufacturer's Team Award when the third bike, the BSA Victor, predictably failed. Arthur's bike was proudly displayed on the ISDT stand at the Earls Court Motorcycle Show in November 1966 (see file). BSA refused to take part in the 1967 ISDT in Poland and were not prepared to loan or sell any of the previous year's BSA or Triumph bikes, so this was the end of competitive participation in the ISDT for both manufacturers.

This BSA-Triumph, without its registration plates and documents, was stored in the Triumph competition shop at Meriden until 1970, when it was sold by the factory. The purchaser then registered it as 'VAA 26H' (as a Triumph) and it was sold on for restoration.

During the restoration the machine's original number was discovered painted on the underside of the seat, and by matching its frame and engine number to those in the BSA and Triumph factory records, the original registration number 'GOB 657D' was reinstated. It should be noted that the engine currently installed is not original to the frame but dates from the same period. One important feature that identifies this motorcycle as Arthur Lampkin's bike is the distinctive welding on the headstock, which can be seen clearly in a photograph of his machine taken at the ISDT and reproduced in The Classic Motor Cycle (January 1987 edition, article copy on file). Also on file are numerous contemporary press cuttings showing Arthur Lampkin and 'GOB 657D' at the 1966 ISDT in Sweden together with assorted correspondence; VMCC dating document; and copies of factory documents concerning the development of the BSA-Triumph ISDT bikes. The late vendor had owned this historic ex-works BSA-Triumph since 2005, since when it has formed part of his private collection of off-road competition motorcycles.

In the world of off-road motorcycle sport there is no more celebrated family than the Lampkins: brothers Arthur, Alan and Martin, and Martin's son Dougie, the latter winner of no fewer than five indoor and seven outdoor World Trials Championships. Eldest of the three, Arthur (born 30th May 1938) made his competition debut on a 197cc James while still a 'learner', and such was his obvious talent that at the tender age of 17 he became the youngest-ever member of BSA's works trial team. He made his scrambles debut with BSA, and aged 18 won the Pinhard Prize for best performance by an under 21 rider. In 1959, still only 21, he won the British 500cc Moto-cross Championship.

Arthur also distinguished himself in Yorkshire's famous Scott Trial, which he first won in 1960 and would go on to win twice more (in 1961 and 1965). In 1961 he won the British Moto-Cross Championship in the 250cc category and finished 2nd in the European Championship behind BSA team-mate Dave Bickers. With the European series elevated to World status for 1962, Arthur finished the season in 3rd place behind Torsten Hallman and Jeff Smith. He was also a member of the British moto-cross teams that won the 250cc Trophée des Nations in 1961 and 1962, as well as the 1965 500cc Motocross des Nations. He also competed internationally in enduro events, representing Great Britain and earning a gold medal in the 1966 International Six Days Trial, held that year in Sweden, where the British Trophy team finished 2nd behind East Germany (further information about the 1966 ISDT may be found online). Arthur later switched to sidecar trials and proved just as competitive in that discipline.
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