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LOT 101

c.1956 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird Registration no. not registered Frame no. 08810 Engine no. 6T 08810

Sold for £4,830 inc. premium

c.1956 Triumph 650cc Thunderbird
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 08810
Engine no. 6T 08810

Always a step ahead of their rivals, Triumph followed up the trend-setting Speed Twin 500 of pre-war days by being first in the field with a 650cc parallel twin. Announced in September 1949, the 650 Thunderbird was Triumph's response to demands for more power emanating from American racers and British sidecarists alike. A spectacular launch stunt saw three Thunderbirds lap the Montlhery circuit at over 90mph for 500 miles, after which they each achieved a flying lap of 100mph-plus and were ridden back to the Meriden factory. When displayed at the Earls Court Show in October, the new twin featured the headlamp nacelle and fuel tank with luggage grid first seen the previous year. An interesting change to the Thunderbird for 1952 was the adoption of an SU carburettor in place of the original Amal, a specially prepared machine managing a staggering 155mpg at a steady 30mph on a factory organised economy run. The Trophy remained in production in fundamentally its original form, though with progressively updated cycle parts, until the arrival of the unitary construction 650 range in 1962.
This Thunderbird has been imported from the USA and is offered for recommissioning (the engine turns over). The machine displays light corrosion in places and currently displays a total of 1,136 miles on the odometer. Offered with a State of Colorado Certificate of Title. This machine is offered with a NOVA declaration. Key present.

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.

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This Lot will be auctioned on Saturday 12 October starting at 2pm GMT.

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