Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1966 Triumph 6T Thunderbird
From the Keith Mason collection
Estimate
£4, 500 - £6, 500
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: DU41672
MOT: Exempt
Previously part of the Zimmerman Collection
Authentically restored by Bill Hoare in the US
Supplied with US Title and NOVA number
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Keith Mason started working in his local bike shop at the age of 15 before eventually branching out on his own a few years later. From humble beginnings selling secondhand bikes from a small shop, Keith built up the Moto GB empire to become one of the biggest motorcycle retailers and importers in the UK. The group has now grown to include 15 retail shops and is responsible for importing 9 different brands, also supplying many independent dealers, including QJ Motor, Voge, Lambretta, FB Mondial, Morbidelli, SYM and Hero. Keith sadly passed away in 2023, but in recent years he had put together a fantastic collection of his favourite classic bikes, ranging from a humble Honda Express to a beautiful Vincent Black Shadow, documenting his lifetime in the trade. We are pleased to offer all 31 bikes from this collection in our March sale.
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 Speed Twin was released launching a range of Triumph twins that went on to epitomize British motorcycles in the post-war years. The 6T Thunderbird was an enlarged version of the Speed Twin, with the capacity taken out to 650cc to satisfy buyers' demands for more power. This is a truly stunning Thunderbird, previously part of the Zimmerman Brothers Collection and restored by Bill Hoard, the famous engineer who renovated many Triumphs for the museum. He is considered to be one of the best bike restorers in the world, with his work gracing many collections in the USA. The Thunderbird was introduced by Triumph in 1949 and produced until 1966, making this the final year of the model. The Thunderbird name and its “paper dart” logo were thought up by Triumph Managing Director Edward Turner on one of his regular trips to Triumph's operations in the USA, and the mighty Ford Motor Company had to pay Triumph Motorcycles to use the name on their new 2 seater convertible in 1955. It would be hard to find a more factory correct example. This machine is being sold as a collector’s item, part of Keith’s stunning private collection of Vintage and Classic machines, which have all been dry stored for several years and will require recommissioning before use. It will be supplied with a US title and NOVA number to aid registration with DVLA if so desired.
** 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.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
