LOT 323

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin Registration no. BCR 960 Frame no. TH.4200 Engine no. 8-5T 9338

Sold for £23,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 323

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|14 October 2023, 10:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection
1938 Triumph 498cc Speed Twin
Registration no. BCR 960
Frame no. TH.4200
Engine no. 8-5T 9338

• Important landmark of motorcycle design
• Acquired by Tony East in February 1996
• Restored condition
• Last taxed in July 2015

Although Edward Turner's Triumph Speed Twin caused a sensation when it appeared at the 1937 Motorcycle Show, few of its admirers can have guessed how influential the design would prove to be. True, there had been vertical twins before; indeed, Turner's predecessor at Triumph - Val Page - had designed one a few years previously, but Triumph's newcomer established a formula that would be adopted by all of Britain's major motorcycle manufacturers in the succeeding decade. Light, narrow and from certain angles looking just like a twin-port single, it was just what the conservatively minded motorcycling public wanted and the Speed Twin would prove enormously successful. Performance was exemplary for a road-going 500, around 85mph being attainable by the Speed Twin while the Tiger 100 sports version was even faster, being capable of touching 100mph in road trim and exceeding it with the silencer end-caps removed. When production resumed in 1946, the Speed Twin reappeared with telescopic forks in place of the original girders, and separate dynamo and magneto instead of the pre-war version's magdyno.

This pre-war Speed Twin comes with a continuation buff logbook dating from 1946 describing it as a '5T Special Twin' and listing five recorded keepers, the last of whom, a Mr Kirby of Staines, sold the machine to Tony East in February 1996. Restored throughout, The Triumph has been ridden extensively throughout France and Germany and currently displays a total of 1,859 miles on the odometer. In 2007 the Triumph took part in the VMCC Isle of Man TT re-enactment, being ridden by Mick Grant, the bike 'never missed a beat'. Last taxed until July 2015, the accompanying paperwork includes a 1939 replacement parts catalogue; instruction manual; the original 1938 tax disc and others, mainly from the 1940s; a quantity of restoration invoices dating from 1996; old/current V5/V5C documents; some expired MoTs; and restorer Bryan Small's invoice for £6,819.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Saleroom notices

Please note there is no old V5, but old and new V5C's with this lot.

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