Highlights

One owner from 1960 to 2022
Never restored, with beautiful original paint
Freshly recommissioned

The Appeal

The Triumph Bonneville was released in 1959, taking its name from the achievements of Texan Triumph racer Johnny Allen on the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was the last production design of the celebrated Edward Turner, who had been instrumental in creating all of Triumph’s raciest post-Vintage bikes, the Speed Twin, Thunderbird and Tiger 110.

The original T120 Bonneville was developed in such a short space of time that it didn’t actually make it into Triumph’s 1959 catalogue, but it didn’t give the impression of being rushed. Its big, thumping 650cc twin assisted it quickly towards the ton, so it became an instant favourite with Ton-Up Boys. It wasn’t just rebellious teenagers who tried to squeeze as much speed out of it as possible, though. The Bonneville was developed for serious competition, with several successful results in the Thruxton 500-mile endurance race, and was perhaps most famously ridden by Steve McQueen in the 1964 International Six Days Trial.

Bidders who remember Z-Cars, the 1960s television series following police patrols in the Liverpool area, might easily be able to conjure up an image of the young rider of a Bonneville like this one, bedecked in Lewis Leathers, having a conversation with a stern but friendly constable in a Ford Zephyr at the side of the A6. We’re not supposing this Triumph’s first owner was a tearaway, but he was a young man growing up not far from the Mersey, so our imagination may fill in the rest.

Actually, it’s unlikely that the first owner did have any run-ins with the police, because all the evidence we have suggests he was a careful and sympathetic rider who only used the Bonneville sparingly over the course of his life. It appears not to have covered more than 19,000 miles, and its remarkable unrestored condition, with brilliantly well-preserved, characterful original paint, shows that it has always been looked after. Sadly, the first owner passed away earlier this year, when the vendor bought it with a view to giving it a full restoration. However, on collecting it, he realised how well it had survived and decided it was too good and too original to alter. He has simply reconditioned it and here it is, a wonderful survivor all ready to ride.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in Manchester in September 1960
Owned for 62 years from new by Mr. Thomas Welding of the Merseyside area
Purchased in August 2022 by the vendor and freshly recommissioned with the help of an experienced Triumph mechanic
Now offered for sale as the vendor seeks new projects
Paperwork includes V5s in the current and previous owners’ names, a large collection of MoT certificates issued between 1994 and 2017, a photograph probably dating from the 1970s or 1980s, and a few recent invoices pertaining to the recommissioning just undertaken

The Condition

Extraordinarily well-preserved original paint
All chrome in brightwork in beautiful condition
Fitted with a brand-new rear tyre

An original survivor motorcycle in such good condition as this almost defies belief. Just how does anything last so well? Without knowing specifics, the answer must simply be ‘with continuous loving care’.

The condition of the paintwork, considering it’s 62 years old, is staggering. The fuel and oil tanks benefit from a light patina, and there are some minute paint blemishes on the wings and frame, but from five paces away it could easily be taken for a newly restored bike. We’re inclined to agree with the owner’s thoughts, that this is an extremely important survivor and merits preservation rather than restoration.

Other parts look like they’ve barely seen any use. The forks, seat, brightwork and so on are better than those we’ve seen on many bikes which have been restored. Owing to a lack of paperwork history, we must bear in mind the possibility that some light renovations, e.g. rechroming, may have taken place in the past, but this cannot be confirmed either way. One way or the other, it’s still in a condition which puts other bikes to shame.

In his few months of ownership, the vendor has not touched a thing cosmetically, save to fit a new rear tyre. He does advise that the new owner will have to address the centre stand, which is a bit loose and wobbly, but new replacements are easy to source.

The Mechanics

Fully recommissioned by the vendor and a professional mechanic
Unblemished MoT record between 2007 and 2017
Fires up and runs beautifully

Although this Bonneville had been in regular use with the previous owner, when the vendor acquired it, it had been laid up for a while and required very basic recommissioning. This was duly completed with the help of a professional Triumph mechanic with over 50 years’ experience.

Not that a lot of effort was required, as the bike was found to be in excellent mechanical condition, which isn’t surprising given its past. Its MoT certificates suggest it has not yet covered 19,000 miles, as its odometer reading ran to 10,921 miles in 1999, was reset for 2000, and now reads only 7922 miles. The MoTs show that the Bonneville was in continuous use until 2017, but only covered an average of 450 miles a year.

The vendor has retained his invoices from the recommissioning, which show that the bike received new parts including:

Oil pressure release valve
Brake switch
Clutch plate pushrod
Bellmouth Velocity Stacks for the Amal carburettors
Carburettor/intake manifold rubber washers
Two Girling suspension head bolts
Rubbers for the kick-start, gear-change and pillion footrests
Horn, horn button and Lucas 12v light bulbs

The vendor also went to great pains to clean and polish the engine, turning it into a thing of real beauty. The end result is a bike which fires up and runs supremely well, but looks as if it hasn’t been touched since the day it left the factory.

The Summary

The original T120 Triumph Bonneville is one of the most desirable classic motorcycles of any era, and this one stands out in particular. It may be just as good looking as any other pre-unit Bonneville, but the emphasis is on the word ‘original’. One cannot expect to find many other Bonnevilles still wearing their factory paint and, of those that may still be around, few will be this good.

Such a special survivor is ideally suited to the collector who prizes rarity, originality and correctness, but it’s in excellent mechanical health, too, so it should be a pleasure to ride come rally season.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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