1920 Triumph 550cc Model H

• Very well known in Vintage circles
• Restored by second owner Arthur Cunliffe
• Only four owners from new
• Many-time Banbury Run participant

The first Triumph motorcycle of 1902 used a Belgian Minerva engine but within a few years the Coventry firm - originally a bicycle manufacturer founded by German immigrants Siegfried Bettman and Maurice Schulte - was building its own power units. The company was soon involved in racing and the publicity generated by competition success - Jack Marshall won the 1908 Isle of Man TT's single-cylinder class for Triumph having finished second the previous year - greatly stimulated sales. By the outbreak of The Great War the marque's reputation for quality and reliability was well established, leading to substantial orders for 'Trusty Triumphs' for military use.

Triumph's 3½hp model had first appeared in 1907. Originally of 453cc, its sidevalve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 550cc 4hp model in 1914. Equipped with three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox, it was this revised 4hp - the Model H - that did such sterling service in WWI, some 30,000 'Trusty Triumphs' seeing action with British and Allied forces.

The example offered here is a 1920 model first registered in 1921 after the introduction of the 1920 Roads Act. An older restoration well known in Vintage circles, 'EC 3145' was restored by the second owner, Arthur Cunliffe, and has been well maintained ever since. The machine is offered with a comprehensive history file, the highlight of which is an article published in Motor Cycle News in 1963 recounting how 'EC 3145' had been purchased by first owner 'Hubert William J' (Hubert William Jackson) to further his courting of the local doctor's daughter. The couple ended up eloping to Gretna Green on the 'Trusty Triumph'!

The article's author, Arthur Cunliffe, bought 'EC 3145' from Mr Jackson and spent many hours restoring it. Arthur campaigned the Triumph extensively before selling it to Phil Bowker, from whom it was purchased by our vendor in December 1997. Since then 'EC 3145' has been ridden on numerous Banbury Runs, perhaps a dozen times, as well as other events including the Graham Walker Run. However, it has not been ridden for at least 4-5 years and will require recommissioning before returning to the road. Prior to being laid up, the Triumph was regularly maintained by the enthusiast owner and is only being sold due to his advancing years. Close inspection is highly recommended. A spare Sturmey-Archer gearbox case and a period leather box containing a spare drive belt are included in the sale.
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