LOT 337

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1957 Triumph 498cc TRW Military Motorcycle Registration no. Q673 CPF Frame no. 26289RX Engine no. TRW26289X NA

Sold for £5,520 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 337

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1957 Triumph 498cc TRW Military Motorcycle

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
1957 Triumph 498cc TRW Military Motorcycle
Registration no. Q673 CPF
Frame no. 26289RX
Engine no. TRW26289X NA

Developed in the immediate post-WW2 years to fulfil British Government contracts for a new military motorcycle, the TRW followed the overall lines of Triumph's trend-setting parallel twins but with the simpler and more easily maintained side valves rather then the civilian models' overhead valves. In keeping with the military's requirements for robustness and simplicity, the TRW retained a rigid frame while featuring Triumph's telescopic front fork as used by many models across the range. When their service life came to an end, many were offered for sale on the civilian market by the Ministry of Defence.

Tony East bought this TRW as a dismantled 'project', offered from MoD storage, at an auction in the mid-1980s for £700; amazingly, it turned out to be complete without so much as a single nut or bolt missing – even the tyres, tubes, panniers and light bulbs were all there. The tyres were wrapped in grease-proof paper and the frame was dipped in thick grease that Tony used a hair dryer to melt it so it could be removed. Safe to say it was a very dirty job indeed. As usual, Tony entrusted the restoration to Bryan Small, whose 1987 invoice for £1,765 is on file. When finished the TRW was featured in The Classic MotorCycle magazine's January 1993 edition (framed copy of article available). At time of cataloguing the Triumph had covered 1,112 miles. Additional documentation includes photocopied literature; some old MoTs; and a user handbook with this machine's engine number written in the front with the date 12th February 1958. One key present.
Offered with key

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

The frame number is 26289X.

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