LOT 326

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1938 Triumph 249cc Tiger 70 Registration no. VFO 672 Frame no. TL4817 Engine no. 8-T70-7857

Sold for £8,050 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 326

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1938 Triumph 249cc Tiger 70

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 249cc Tiger 70
Registration no. VFO 672
Frame no. TL4817
Engine no. 8-T70-7857

• Acquired by Tony East in 1999
• Restored by Bryan Small circle 1999
• Invoices totalling £6,050

Just as he had done at Ariel in the 1920s, Val Page transformed his employer's ageing range on his arrival as Triumph's Chief Designer in 1932. The new line-up comprised overhead-valve and sidevalve singles in capacities ranging from 250cc to 500cc, plus the range-topping 650cc 6/1 sidecar tug. Edward Turner's arrival at Triumph in 1936 resulted in extensive improvements to the range. A brilliant stylist, Turner transformed Page's overhead-valve singles by adopting sports-specification engines, high level exhausts, chromed fuel tanks and a new name: 'Tiger'. Frames, forks, engines and gearboxes were all improved for 1937 and a trio of randomly selected Tigers successfully completed a series of arduous speed trails to secure the Maudes Trophy for Triumph later in the year. Today, Turner's Tigers are widely recognised as the most stylish sports roadsters of the period and thus are highly sought after.

This nicely presented Tiger 70 was acquired by Tony East in April 1999 and last taxed in 2010. Accompanying paperwork includes numerous bills totalling £6,050 for the Tiger's restoration by Bryan Small Motorcycles circa 1999; three old MoTs (most recent expired 2010); instruction books; replacement parts catalogue; old/current V5C documents; and a copy of Triumph Motorcycles Practical Guide Covering All Models from 1937 by the Service Manager at Triumph. It should be noted that the frame/engine numbers are transposed on the V5Cs, and that the latter is incorrectly recorded therein as '8-TY0-785Y'.

Footnotes

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