Property of a deceased estate, c.1915 Triumph 3½HP

• Purchased in 1967
• An older restoration
• Circa 1915 frame, circa 1910 engine

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 first of these - a 298cc single-cylinder sidevalve - arrived in 1904. This first engine was not without its weaknesses: pistons and bores wore out quickly and the curious 'tandem downtube' frame in which it was installed broke, but these shortcomings were soon sorted and within a couple of years 'Triumph' was a byword for reliability.

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 British and Allied forces. The 3½hp model 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 Originally of 453cc, its sidevalve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 4hp model in 1914.

The old-style continuation logbook of file shows that this machine's combination of a c.1915 frame and c.1910 engine has been together since at least 1965. The date of first registration recorded in the registration documents is 22nd April 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing).

The late owner purchased the Triumph at a Lincolnshire auction in 1967 for £66 (purchase receipt on file). An older restoration, the machine will require re-commissioning following a period of inactivity and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's authenticity, correctness, and mechanical condition prior to bidding. Additional paperwork consists of an old-style V5 and an HPI check sheet. The detached timing cover and primary drive case are included in the sale. Key not required.