1961 Triumph 649cc T120C Bonneville

1961 Triumph 649cc T120C Bonneville
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. D10167
Engine no. T120C D10167
• Delivered new to California, USA
• Restored by Jim Hiddleston
• Present ownership since January 2015

Graced by one of the most evocative model designations in the history of motorcycling, the Triumph Bonneville owes its existence to record-breaking successes achieved on the eponymous Utah salt flats in 1958, when a Tiger 110 set a new 650cc production machine record of over 147mph. A new alloy cylinder head with inlet ports splayed wide to accommodate twin carburettors had become available as a tuning aid early in 1958 and it was, chiefly, this innovation that enabled the specially prepared T110 to so far eclipse the performance of the standard version. Triumph lost no time in capitalising on its technical breakthrough, announcing a new model equipped with the splayed 'head and twin Amal carburettors in September 1958: the Bonneville. Testing a T120 'Bonnie' in June 1961, Motor Cycling found that Triumph's range-topping sports roadster possessed abundant vitality. 'With exceptional top-end performance goes extraordinary vigour and tractability at low and medium speeds - a combination which makes it perhaps the fastest point-to-point roadster produced in Britain today.'

The USA had long been Triumph's most important export market and to cater for local tastes, T120R and T120C models were offered here, the former having a more raised handlebar when compared to its European counterpart, while the latter catered for the American rider's passion for off-road motorcycling. Also known as the 'Competition' or 'Scrambler' model, the T120C boasted a more purposeful, stripped-down look, being equipped with smaller fuel tank, 'dirt' tyres and high-level exhaust system.

Despatched to Johnson Motors in California in December 1960, this Bonneville 'Scrambler' was sourced in the USA and shipped back to Europe where it was restored to 'as new' condition by renowned marque specialist, Jim Hiddleston. Completed in 2007, this Bonnie returned to the USA where it was purchased by the current vendor from Bonhams' Las Vegas auction in January 2015 (Lot 311). The machine comes with paperwork relating to that sale and a previous sale.