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
1950 Triumph T100 Grand Prix
Rare factory-built race variant
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: TF27561R
MOT: Exempt
One of around 250 genuine Grand Prix T100s produced
Matching frame and engine numbers
Reputedly sent to Sweden for the race team of Triumph importer Uno Ranch
The Road and Race Collection
Triumph’s 498cc parallel-twin Tiger 100 (T100) was a fast and handsome new model for 1939, but early overheating problems caused embarrassment and discouraged Triumph from taking it road-racing. However, some square-finned, all-alloy cylinder barrels and heads leftover from wartime production of generators turned out to be the cure for the Tiger’s woes. With the new top end, a Tiger won the 1946 Senior Amateur Manx Grand Prix, raced by Irish farmer Ernie Lyons. After his success, demand increased for an “over-the-counter” Tiger racer, which materialised in the form of the Grand Prix in February, 1948. After a few years, total production reached around 250. Genuine Grand Prix models can be identified by their R-suffix numbers.
According to handwritten notes, this 1950 Grand Prix was originally shipped to Sweden for the Triumph importer Uno Ranch, who managed a race team. This one, it is said, was ridden by Olle Nygren (best known as a speedway racer), Grand Prix racer Sven-Olov Gunnarsson, and Lennart Karlstrøm. By 2016, it had ended up in Copenhagen, from where it was imported by the present owner, an enthusiastic collector of historic bikes. A rare survivor which has evidently received a high-quality restoration in the past, this Grand Prix is sold with paperwork including a copy of the factory test report and data sheet.
** 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).
