Registration No: LXY 266
Frame No: 34136
MOT: Exempt

• Part of a private collection
• A good restoration of the model
• A very early 6T Thunderbird
• Current V5C on file

To capture the American market, the 6T Thunderbird used a variant of the earlier Speed Twin's parallel-twin engine, bored out from 500cc to 650cc to give the added horsepower American customers demanded. The concept of enlarging the Speed Twin was dreamt-up by managing director Edward Turner. The 6T Thunderbird was launched publicly at Montlhéry near Paris, where a trio of production bikes were ridden around the circuit averaging 92 mph over a distance of 500 miles. All three machines were ridden to the circuit and then back to the Meriden factory. Triumph obtained further lasting publicity with Marlon Brando's 1953 motion picture The Wild One, in which he rode a mildly customised 1950 6T Thunderbird.

On offer is an early Triumph 6T Thunderbird that was restored by the previous owner to a very high standard and which is holding up well. Purchased by the late vendor in 2007, to form part of his Triumph collection, he used it sparingly to keep it in nice order. Not ridden for some time, the Thunderbird will need some light recommissioning. It is being offered with a current V5C.

.