Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: 25th March 2025 from 1PM
Auction: 26th March 2025 - 9:00AM
1957 Triumph TR6 Trophy
No Reserve
Registration No: 104 YUD
Frame No: 07986
MOT: Exempt
Triumph's ISDT inspired 650 twin desert racer
All alloy motor with a Lucas competition mag
Supplied with a dating letter and a current 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 its 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 single-carb 650 Trophy was considered to be the best all round model and proved very popular in the USA. Inspired by success in the ISDT, the 650 model introduced in 1956 featured an all-alloy top end and a Lucas "Red Label" competition magneto. It immediately became a favourite with American off-road racers taking the first 3 places in the Big Bear Run in the Mojave Desert, and ridden to good effect by riders such as Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen, in many other events.
This 650 Trophy, being offered at 'no reserve', is from a deceased estate, so not much is known of its history. According to the Triumph Owner's Club dating letter, it was despatched to the Triumph Corporation in Baltimore in May 1957 before being repatriated and registered in the UK in 2010. It looks to have been stood for a number of years, so will need recommissioning before use, but the engine turns over on the kickstart. A good-looking bike with its Siamese 2-into-1 upswept exhaust and air scoop front brake it comes supplied with various import letters, a few receipts, some handwritten notes of its restoration, a dating letter, an instruction manual and a current V5C.
