Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: 25th March from 1PM
Auction: 26th March 2025 - 9:00AM
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1978 Triumph TRW
No Reserve
Registration No: XVM 33S
Frame No: TRW29145NA
MOT: Exempt
Originally presented TRW military bike
Supplied on MOD contact number 3231
Includes 3 workshop manuals and a V5C
Triumph is one of the most iconic and revered names in the history of motorcycling. Established in Coventry in 1885, by the start of the 1900s the company had made their first motorcycle, beginning a continuous run of production under various ownership until its eventual closure in 1983. In 1937 the Edward Turner-designed Speed Twin was released launching a range of Triumph twins that went on to epitomise British motorcycles in the post-war years. The TRW was designed by Bert Hopwood in the early 1940s, primarily for use by the armed forces in WW2. It was based on the existing Speed Twin but with a cheaper to manufacture and maintain side valve top end and a sturdy rigid frame to carry extra weight. Not helped by the Coventry factory being bombed in 1940 necessitating a move to a brand new factory in Meriden, by the time it was ready to go into production the war was over. However, Edward Turner realised there was still a demand for simple durable military vehicles, so full production started in 1948 with not only the British armed forces but many Commonwealth countries using the TRW until the 1960s.
This TRW, being offered at 'no reserve', is from a deceased estate, so not much is known of its history. According to the frame number and the brass plate on the chainguard it was built in October 1964 and supplied to the MOD on contract number 3231. Offered in original condition still showing its military number stencilled on the headlamp nacelle, it has been stood for a number of years but the engine turns over on the Kickstarter. It appears to have been first registered in civilian use in 1978 and comes supplied with rear pannier frames, some workshop manuals and a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
