Registration No: KXS 279
Frame No: 17034 NA
Engine No: 6T17034NA
CC: 650
MOT: Exempt

• Restored a few years ago and has had little use since
• Not run since the summer, so light recommissioning will be required
• It comes complete with a current V5C

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 production bikes were ridden around a circuit by a team of riders averaging a speed of 92 mph over a distance of 500 miles. All three machines were ridden to the circuit and 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.

A Thunderbird 6T, of 1952 vintage, this example has previously been the subject of a restoration a few years ago. Since the restoration the 6T has had little use and has not been run since the summer of 2022, so it will require light recommissioning before use. The Thunderbird is offered with a current V5C.