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Triumph Tourist, 1913. The First all-British Motorcycle, The…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
18-Mar-2009
Lot No.
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Description:
Triumph Tourist, 1913. The First all-British Motorcycle, The first Triumph motorcycle of 1902 used a Belgian Minerva engine but, within a few years, the Coventry firm (originally a bicycle manufacturer founded by German immigrants Siegfried Bettman and Maurice Schulte) was building its own power units. The first of these, a 298cc single-cylinder side valve, arrived in 1904. By 1905, Triumph succeeded in manufacturing the first 100% British-made motorcycle. Production at this stage was approximately five per week. The famous 3.5hp model, an example of which is offered here, first appeared in 1907. Originally 453cc, its side-valve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 4hp model in late 1914.A slim tank housed within the frame holds fuel and oil. Transmission is by direct belt drive so, to start the Triumph, it is necessary to peddle up to speed until you release the valves closed in order to fire the machine up. Once running you might reach a heady top speed of 25 mph. With this machine, Triumph's early involvement in competitive racing was successful. Jack Marshall's 1908 Isle of Man Tt victory cemented Triumph as a leader in its field and greatly stimulated sales. By the outbreak of World War I, the marque's reputation for quality and dependability was well established, leading to substantial orders for 'Trusty Triumphs' for British and Allied forces. This is an outstanding example of the early Triumph and represents the best of British from a bygone era.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Motor Vehicles: Motor Cycles