Property of a deceased's estate, 1958 Triumph 649cc T120 Bonneville

• Dating from the first day of production
• One of the earliest Bonnevilles known to exist
• An older restoration
• Kept on static display

First-of-the-line examples of iconic models are always highly prized by collectors, and none more so than the new-for-1959 Triumph T120 Bonneville, which was introduced in the autumn of 1958 for the forthcoming season. Hurriedly prepared for its debut at the '58 Earls Court Show (it was too late for inclusion in the 1959 catalogue) the 'Bonnie' arrived at a time when young motorcycle enthusiasts wanted style as well as substance and had the money to pay for it. Finished in striking two-tone Tangerine/Pearl Grey with matching mudguards and black cycle parts, the bike was a real looker, and the name 'Bonneville', chosen in honour of Johnny Allen's record-breaking achievements with his Triumph-powered streamliner at the eponymous Utah salt flats, was an inspired piece of marketing.

Despatched to dealer J Double in Ilford on 16th September 1958 and first registered at the Chelmsford VRO on 27th September '58, this very early 'Tangerine Dream' Bonneville is from the first batch completed for the home market; thereafter some 85% of production was destined for export. The Bonneville was built to order No.2574 and Invoice No.13600.

The 44th example constructed, '020420' is not recorded in the 1959 T120 Register; it is one of the 'first day' (5th September 1958) built T120s and looks to have been restored to a very high standard. There is an unusual issue associated with machines of this period because of a drawing office error recorded in the engine build book. From T120 '020377' to T120 '020441', the production line fitted standard Lucas K2F magnetos but should have fitted K2FC competition magnetos. This error was rectified before final assembly, and this bike has the correct K2FC magneto fitted. The gearbox number is correct, as is the QD rear wheel. The TOMCC cast-alloy machine badge fitted is in the colours of the Club's Ilford branch. The engine, it should be noted, has a non-factory stamped number.

The Bonneville was registered to the late vendor on 1st June 2005 but may have been in his possession before that date (there is a Beaulieu entry form dated 2001 on file). An older restoration, the machine is presented in excellent condition overall having been kept on display in the late owner's bedroom and only occasionally brought out for display at events. 'First-year' Bonnevilles are rare, and 'first-day' examples even rarer, making this machine one of the earliest known to exist. Accompanying documentation includes an old/current V5/V5C registration documents.