Triumph Trophy TR5 500 Custom Motorcycle Ridden

Triumph Trophy TR5 500 Custom Motorcycle Ridden by Henry Winkler in Happy Days, manufactured 1949 Frame no. TC11198T Engine no. TR59016133 43 x 84 inches (109.2 x 213.4 cm) PROVENANCE: Bonham's, Los Angeles, Classic California Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars, and Related Memorabilia, November 12, 2011, lot no. 329. This is the motorcycle that helped make Arthur Fonzarelli, "The Fonz," the icon of cool – the 1949 Triumph Trophy 500 Custom. Originally a bit player, Fonzie/Winkler, became the breakout star of Happy Days — the long running ABC sitcom watched by some 40 million Americans at its ratings peak. The bike was originally owned by Hollywood stuntman, racer, and provider of bikes to the studios, Bud Ekins (it was Ekins who actually jumped the barbed-wire fence in The Great Escape, doubling for his friend Steve McQueen). This ‘49 Triumph is one of three Triumph motorcycles The Fonz used during the show's 10-year run on ABC. According to Ekins, all three Triumphs used on the show were 500cc Trophy models of various years – two of which went missing/stolen, or were raced to the ground and sold for parts. Eventually, when the show ended, Ekins sold the third and only remaining "Fonzie" Triumph to friend and motorcycle collector Mean Marshall Ehlers where it resided since 1990. Designed to accommodate Henry Winkler's inability to ride larger bikes, Ekins supplied Paramount's show producers with the beat-up Scrambler, yanking off the front fender, bolted on a set of buckhorn handle bars and spray painted the fuel tank silver. It is often rumored that Winkler was frequently pushed on the bike by stage-hands, confirmed by his own admissions due to his inability to ride a motorcycle. Fonzie's silver Triumph became a pop culture icon, appearing on countless lunchboxes, posters, t-shirts, model kits and magazines. When the show was cancelled, one of Fonzie's signature brown leather jackets was gifted to The Smithsonian Institution. The "cool factor" of this Triumph is impossible to quantify or duplicate. The bike remains untouched since appearing on television screens over 30 years ago. The motorcycle was awarded to the prior owner at a Seminole Indian casino by Henry Winkler, himself. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition Report: In original condition.
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