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
1969 Triumph Truxton Bonneville Evocation
Superb tribute to Malcolm Uphill's legendary 1969 T. T. winner
Estimate
£6, 000 - £7, 000
Registration No: BWB 61G
Frame No: AC09994TR6P
MOT: Exempt
Just over fifty original Thruxton Bonnevilles were produced
The model made history when Malcolm Uphill won the 1969 T. T. and lapped at over 100mph
This faithful tribute has been fashioned after the Uphill bike
Triumph’s 650cc Bonneville T120 was launched in 1959, so called because earlier Triumphs set speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Meanwhile, in Hampshire, one of the most important races on the motorcycling calendar was the Thruxton 500, which a Bonneville won in 1961. When Norton won the next three races, Triumph had to field a worthier rival, which would take the form of the Thruxton Bonneville. For homologation purposes, a run of around fifty was produced in 1965; ironically, the 500-mile race moved to Castle Combe that year, but Triumph took the win. Its many modifications saw power increased from the standard 47 to 54bhp and the majority were finished in Triumph’s blue and silver.
Surprisingly, the Thruxton’s finest hour came in 1969, when Malcolm Uphill not only won the T. T. outright but became the first man to lap the course at over 100mph, averaging 99. 99mph. This machine was created from a 1972 Bonneville to evoke the winning bike. It is understood that parts such as the tank, seat, side panels, cut-away oil tank and high-level exhaust, were supplied through George Hopwood, who was associated with racing Triumphs in the ’60s and produces them to exacting specifications. Owned by a collector since 2017, this Bonnie would make a wonderful bike for spirited road use, shows, and possibly even historic racing.
** 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).
