Ex-Jim Alves, ISDT Gold Medal Winning, 1951 Triumph 500cc Trophy

• Present ownership since 2004
• Restored to ISDT specification
• Requires re-commissioning

From the time of its introduction in 1948, the Triumph Trophy was established as a true all-rounder: a machine that could be ridden to work during the week and then, with extraneous components removed, competed on at weekends in its owner's chosen branch of motorcycle sport. Although catalogued primarily as a trials machine, its true forte was scrambles and the International Six Days Trial (ISDT), events in which the power of the tunable Triumph twin worked to its advantage and its weight was less of a handicap. The arrival of a new swinging-arm frame for 1955 finally put paid to the Trophy's pretensions as a one-day trials mount, for although the rear suspension enhanced traction and improved the handling, the lengthened wheelbase and increased weight rendered it un-competitive. Nevertheless, the TR5 remained an extremely competent and stylish roadster until the end of production in 1958.

Ridden by P H 'Jim' Alves, the historic Triumph Trophy offered here formed part of Great Britain's team that contested the ISDT in 1951, held that year in Varese, Italy. Born in Glastonbury on 2nd January 1916, Percival Harold Alves, better known as Jim, demonstrated a precocious talent for things mechanical while still a child, building his own car at the age of 12(!), and bought his first motorcycle, an OK Supreme Flying Cloud, in 1934. Participation in one-day trials soon followed. His talent was spotted while he was competing in Home Guard events during the war; Jim became 'one to watch', prompting an approach from the Triumph factory.

A factory-supported rider from 1946, Alves stunned the trials world by winning that year's Cotswold Trial riding a modified Triumph 3T twin, confounding critics who maintained that only single-cylinder motorcycles were suitable for trials use. Don Morley: "In his first season Jim won four trade supported nationals and finished fourth in the British Experts trial on his now famous little roadster ENX 674, successes that were against the odds and scored at a rate that soon saw the man and his machine challenging Hugh Viney."

Fast forward four years and we find Jim Alves a member of the five-man British team at the 1950 ISDT in Llandrindod Wells, an event the home riders won comfortably. Understandably, for 1951 the British trophy team was unchanged, comprising Hugh Viney (AJS), Fred Rist (BSA), Bob Ray (Ariel), Jack Stocker (Royal Enfield) and Jim Alves (Triumph). Reputedly, Alves' Triumph was the first Trophy to be fitted with the 650cc engine that had debuted in the Thunderbird and would power the TR6 Trophy. In addition there were two 499cc works Triumphs entered, both in the vase competition, ridden by Burt Gaymer ('LNX 351') and Peter Hammond ('LNX 341'). The British team won the trophy competition yet again; all three Triumph teamsters won Gold Medals and the Meriden factory walked away with the manufacturers' award.

After the event Triumph stripped all the ISDT parts off 'LNX 361' and replaced the 650cc engine with a 499cc unit whose number did not match the frame's. They then sold the machine to Jim Alves, who retailed it as a regular Trophy. Its late owner acquired 'LNX 361' in 2004 and restored the Trophy to ISDT specification, though is not known when the machine was last used; re-commissioning will be required before further use. Accompanying documentation includes an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1957), sundry bills and a V5C Registration Certificate. Of particular interest are two 'dinner' programmes: 'Triumph Complimentary Dinner to P H Alves in recognition of his long and successful association with Triumph'; and 'Motor Cycling 1947 British Experts Trial Celebration Dinner'. Importantly, the former contains a page signed by the many motorcycling celebrities in attendance, including Geoff Duke, Bill Nicholson, Jack Williams, Brian Martin and Bob Trigg. Also included in the sale is a spare 650cc engine that the owner had intended to fit but never finished building.

Former ISDT-winning motorcycles are only rarely offered for sale, making this ex-works Triumph Trophy, ridden by one of the foremost off-road stars of the day, of especial interest to collectors.