Beschreibung
This is Lot 211 in the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on April 20th & 21st, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Triumph re-entered the 350 class in 1957 with the introduction of the Twenty One. Its arrival ushered in Triumph's unitary construction era, which saw the engine and gearbox, previously separate components, combined within a single structure, albeit one that retained a vertically split crankcase assembly. Readily distinguishable by its Shell Blue metallic finish and bathtub rear enclosure - a feature later applied to Triumph's larger models - the newcomer was renamed 3TA in September 1958. With just 18. 5bhp on tap, Triumph's smallest twin lacked the urgent acceleration of its larger brethren, but nevertheless was a capable tourer good for around 80mph while delivering excellent fuel economy. One of the swiftest standard British-made 350cc roadsters tested by Motor Cycling, the Triumph Twenty One combines an untiring zest for high-speed cruising with safe handling and a remarkably economical fuel consumption, reported the Green Un.
Apparently complete, the military-specification 3TA offered here is one of 1, 100 supplied to the Dutch Armed Forces in the 1960s for despatch and general liaison duties. Noteworthy features include a Weber carburettor, engine protector bar, pannier brackets, a Smiths km/ h speedometer, and Dutch Army markings. There are no documents with this motorcycle, which is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed. Its history since acquisition is not known.
