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
1964 Triumph T120C West Coast
From the Keith Mason collection
Estimate
£10, 000 - £14, 000
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: DU 10497
MOT: Exempt
Ex-Zimmerman collection T120C West Coast Model
Restored by renowned engineer Bill Hoare in the USA
Supplied with its US Title and a 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 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 epitomize British motorcycles in the post-war years. Many believe the T120 Bonneville, first seen in late 1958, to be the ultimate version of the classic British vertical twin and is now one of the most sought after bikes of the era, especially the 'C' competition models. The Competition models were designed primarily for off road use, and produced in very limited numbers from 1963 to 1968. The 'West Coast' model was specifically made for and distributed by Johnson Motors of California and was different in specification to the East Coast models distributed by TriCor in Baltimore. Fitted with wide swept back handlebars, high level pipes, engine bash plate, lightweight alloy mudguards, no pillion footrests, large air cleaners and off road tyres, Triumph hoped this model would be the ride of choice for the serious competitor, and they guessed right as they were winners straight out of the crate! This stunning T120C was previously part of the Zimmerman Brothers Collection in California and was restored by Bill Hoard, the famous engineer who worked on many of the Zimmerman Triumphs. Collectors in the USA agree that his work has set the benchmark for renovating Triumphs over the years, now retired, this may be a rare chance to acquire one of his stunning restorations. It would be hard to find a more factory correct example, the bike is as it was when it left the Meriden factory in 1964. 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 a 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).
