c.1914 Triumph 3½hp Motorcycle Combination

Frame no. 215087 Engine no. 15461

Footnotes

• Purchased in 1994

• An older restoration

• 1914 frame, 1911 engine

• Two-speed transmission

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 3.5hp 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 Originally of 453cc, its sidevalve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 4hp model in 1914.

An older restoration that still presents well, this Lot incorporates a frame dating from 1914 and an earlier (1911) engine. The machine was carrying the UK registration mark 'JS 528' when purchased at a UK auction in April 1994, a registration originally belonging to another Veteran-era Triumph and to which it was not entitled. Notable features include a two-speed transmission with clutch and a Powell & Hanmer lighting set (including the sidecar lamp). Accompanying documentation includes correspondence, the auction catalogue page, a magazine article (in German), and a selection of photographs.


• Acquise en 1994

• Ancienne restauration

• Cadre de 1914 ; moteur de 1911

• Transmission à deux rapports

Ce lot anciennement restauré, mais resté en très bel état, réunit un cadre daté de 1914 et un moteur antérieur (1911). Cette machine portait l'immatriculation britannique « JS 528 » lorsqu'elle a été acquise dans une vente aux enchères au Royaume-Uni en avril 1994, numéro qui appartenait à l'origine à une autre Triumph de la période Vétérans dans laquelle elle n'était pas classée. Parmi ses caractéristiques intéressantes, on notera une boîte de vitesses à deux rapports avec un embrayage et un équipement d'éclairage Powell & Hammer (comprenant la lampe du side-car). La documentation jointe comprend une correspondance, la page du catalogue de la vente précédente, un article de magazine (en allemand) et une sélection de photos.


It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.

On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.