Description
14th Feb, 2025 11:00
The February 2025 Auction
1972 Triumph T150 Trident
Triumph’s radical idea
Estimate
£6, 500 - £7, 000
Buyer's premium: 18. 00%
Lot details
Registration: XHP458L
Frame: HG02769
Odometer: 11, 561
MOT: Exempt
3-cylinder, 4-speed
Matching frame and engine numbers
Stunning example
Some old MOTs
Owner states starts, runs and rides
V5
HPI
2 keys
Triumph’s eagerly awaited 3-cylinder T150 Trident was a radical new idea, introduced in 1968, alongside BSA’s similarly powered A75 Rocket-3; both models were individually styled. The idea was wild, especially considering the conservative nature of BSA and Triumph management at the time. There were lots of singles and twins, and even some fours. But no one had a triple! The Triumph engine had its cylinders mounted vertically while the BSA’s engine was ‘sloped’ in the frame; these models were the firm’s first entry into the 750cc class. Together with the Norton Commando, and Honda’s soon-to-arrive CB750-4, they were immediately categorised as Superbikes. Going into the 1970s both ‘triples’ underwent a change of styling with particular attention paid to the silencers and fuel tanks. The BSA / Triumph group was already experiencing a difficult financial situation but, in a glorious last-ditch sales campaign, the factory comp shop [under R & D chief Doug Hele] was charged with preparing a batch of hand-built T150 / A75s for Daytona and the newly created Formula 750. It proved a highly successful promotion with the team bikes gaining many race wins and leader board positions more-or-less wherever they entered. Likewise from 1970 onwards the T150 known as “Slippery Sam” - masterminded by Triumph’s Les Williams - achieved five consecutive wins in the IOM Production TT.
This Triumph Trident is a well running classic, which has earned its place in the hall of fame of super bikes.
