c.1926 Triumph 494cc Model P

•As featured in Steven Spielberg's War Horse
•Landmark machine in the development of the motorcycle in Britain
•Long term ownership

This Triumph Model P appeared in the 2010 motion picture War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg. The Triumph was used to portray a despatch rider's bike and was painted in military grey for the production (see photographs on file). The Triumph has also appeared in Ladies in Lavender (2004) and Cider with Rosie (2015).

A landmark machine in the development of the motorcycle in Britain, Triumph's Model P debuted at the 1924 Motor Cycle Show. A no-frills sidevalve-engined model, the newcomer was priced at £42 17s 6d, at which level it undercut every other 500cc machine then on sale in the UK. Production was soon running at an astonishing 1,000 machines per week; the Model P's outstanding success undoubtedly hastening the demise of many a minor manufacturer. Production continued until the decade's end, by which time the Model P had spawned a plethora of derivatives and lost penny-pinching features such as guide-less valves and the bicycle-type front brake.

John had first bought the Model P in January 1982 from Pratt's Vintage Motorcycle Company for £850 (receipt on file). The previous owner was a Mr McComb of Bishopsworth, Bristol. Subsequently John sold the Model P, only to purchased it from a Mr R Bain in July 2010 for £6,000 (purchase receipt on file). When John bought the Triumph is was registered 'YF 3454'; however, this number belonged to a later example and John had to relinquish it and re-register the machine.

Since its reacquisition John has ridden the Triumph on the West Kent Run and Festival of 1000 Bikes at Brands Hatch. He also rode it on the VMCC London Run in 1982 as part of the publicity for the Earls Court Motorcycle Show. The history file contains various old MoTs (earliest dated 1982); press cuttings; photocopied literature; correspondence from the early 1980s; old tax discs dating back to 1982; and old/current V5/V5C documents. The crankcases from the engine that was fitted to the machine when purchased ('228528') are included in the sale. It should be noted that the frame number in the V5C is 835404 which appears to be a misreading of the frame number. None the less, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the validity of the VRN.

This machine has been stored in dry conditions and has seen little or no use since 2016. Accordingly, it is sold strictly as viewed and may require varying degrees of recommissioning and/or restoration prior to further use.