Descripción
The NSW Collectors' Motorcycles & Cars Auction - Live-online sale starting 12:00PM AEDT Sunday 12th December, 2021
LOT6 - 1962 Triumph TR6 SC TROPHY
Estimate AUD: $20, 000 - $26, 000
Pre-unit construction Triumph twin as used by Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape”
Steve McQueen was an accomplished motorcycle rider and his first new bike was a Triumph TR5 Trophy. McQueen became friendly with Bud Ekins who had a dealership in North Hollywood. For the World War II movie, The Great Escape, McQueen requested a motorcycle chase scene, and during 1962 Ekins supplied two TR6 Trophys for the film. Ekins doubled for McQueen in the motorcycle jump scenes and The Great Escape was one of the highest grossing films of 1963. It made Steve McQueen a Superstar and the motorcycle jump became legendary.
The TR6 Trophy first appeared for the 1956 season and was aimed squarely at the US market. Created from existing components, a 500cc TR5 chassis and 650cc T110 motor, performance was particularly sprightly, and the TR6 was extremely well suited to American cross-country events at that time. Triumph launched the TR6 by taking three bikes straight out of the crates and entering them in the Californian Big Bear Run. TR6s finished first, second, and third, this victory setting the stage for the Trophy to dominate off-road racing in America for the next decade.
Over the next few years the TR6 continued to evolve and the final pre-unit construction version was produced for 1962. While only available in the UK as the TR6 S/ S (with a low exhaust system), two versions were offered in the USA; the road TR6 SR and high pipe TR6 SC. The 71x82mm parallel twin displaced 649cc, and with an 8. 5:1 compression ratio, single Amal Type 376 Monobloc 1 1/ 16-inch carburettor, and with a straight through exhaust system it produced 45 horsepower at 6, 500 rpm. The power was 40 horsepower with mufflers. An update this year was a Bonneville crankshaft with an 85% balance factor. Vibration was reduced, but at the expense of crisper throttle response. Other updates included stronger Bonneville valve springs, a new Lucas RM19 alternator The wheels were 19 and 18-inch, with full width drum brakes, an 8-inch on the front and seven-inch on the rear. Weighing only 174kg and rolling on a 1, 403mm wheelbase, much of the TR6’s appeal was due to its compactness and agility.
One of the final pre-unit construction Triumph twins, this 1962 TR6C is a superbly restored US specification model. The colours and grey trimmed two-tone seat are correct for the year. All the chrome is new, as are the tyres and battery. During the restoration the odometer was untouched and retains the 6, 435-mile reading.
This motorcycle is being sold unregistered.
