Offered from The John Surtees Family Collection, c.1949 Triumph 500cc 'TR5 Trophy'

From the time of its introduction in November 1948, the Triumph Trophy was established as a true all-rounder: a machine that could be ridden to work during the week and then, with extraneous components removed, competed on at weekends in its owner's chosen branch of motorcycle sport. The model's origins lay in the factory machines specially prepared for the 1948 ISDT in Italy, which had helped Great Britain win the Trophy competition (GB also won the Vase). The Trophy was based on the Speed Twin roadster but instead of the latter's all-cast-iron engine top end boasted the light-alloy cylinder barrel and 'head taken from the wartime generator engine. In this form the engine lasted for only a couple of years before its replacement with a new all-alloy unit featuring distinctively fine-pitched finning.

Although catalogued primarily as a trials machine, the Trophy's true forte was scrambles and the ISDT, events in which the power of the tunable Triumph twin worked to its advantage and its weight was less of a handicap. The arrival of a new swinging-arm frame for 1955 finally put paid to the Trophy's pretensions as a one-day trials mount, for although the rear suspension enhanced traction and improved the handling, the lengthened wheelbase and increased weight rendered it uncompetitive. Nevertheless, the TR5 remained an extremely competent and stylish roadster until the end of production in 1958.

This Trophy has the early generator-type engine, although this particular unit's cooling shroud bosses have been tapped, indicating that it started life in a generator set (those built for original motorcycle use had untapped bosses).

A handwritten note on file states that the Triumph's registration number is 'NAC 453' and that the last owner in the logbook is Triumph Engineering, Coventry, although there is no logbook on file! Further handwritten notes record various maintenance tasks undertaken between 2011 and 2016. It should be noted that 'NAC 453' is not listed in the HPI/DVLA databases; there are no frame or engine numbers visible to this machine and thus this motorcycle is offered unregistered and sold strictly as seen.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. A very handsome machine worthy of further investigation by the new owner
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