Beschreibung:

First-of-the-line examples of iconic models are always highly prized by collectors and none more so than the 1959 Triumph T120R Bonneville. Hurriedly prepared for its debut at the 1958 Earls Court Show (it was too late for inclusion in the 1959 catalogue) the ‘Bonnie’ arrived at a time when young motorcycle enthusiasts wanted style as well as substance and had the money to pay for it. Finished in striking two-tone Tangerine/Pearl Grey with matching mudguards and black cycle parts, the bike was a real looker, and the name ‘Bonneville’, chosen in honour of Johnny Allen’s record-breaking achievements with his Triumph-powered streamliner at the eponymous Utah salt flats, was an inspired piece of marketing. Although, ostensibly, the Bonneville was little more than a T110 fitted with the splayed-port cylinder head and twin carburettors, there was, of course, more to it than that. As well as the performance-enhancing top end, the Bonneville, together with the rest of Triumph’s twins, incorporated a new, stronger crankshaft assembly that development had shown was necessary to cope with the increased power. The latter now stood at 46bhp, an improvement of some 15% over that of the contemporary single-carb T110. Works tester Percy Tait had achieved 128mph at MIRA on a development bike, and even though this figure proved beyond the reach of the production version, the Bonnie was at least as fast as the opposition and much better looking, which was all that mattered. That first 1959 Bonneville was the only one of the many versions to feature the headlamp nacelle. Only the first series produced had the distinctive ‘Tangerine Dream’ livery, while other features unique to these early 1959 models were the stepped dualseat and touring handlebars. As usual, there were minor differences between the UK and East/West Coast USA models. Part way through the 1959 season the colour scheme was changed to two-tone Azure Blue/Pearl Grey complimented by grey oil tank/battery box, matching mudguards and black cycle parts. A flat dualseat was adopted, briefly, before the stepped version returned for 1960, while other changes for the ’60 model year included a new duplex-loop frame, chromed headlamp shell and fork gaiters. This very early Bonneville was sold new via Kings of Oxford to its first owner, James Lloyd Simmonds, an electronics engineer resident in Brentford, Middlesex, on 9th May 1959 and registered ‘196 FWL’. Mr Simmonds kept the Bonnie for 40 years and his is the only name recorded in the accompanying original logbook other than that of the supplying dealer. Also on file is his Hire Purchase agreement, which reveals that the cash price was £316 and that he paid £9 6s 5d per month for 36 months. The Bonnie passed to its next owner, a Mr V Cross of Romford, Essex and was restored in 2000, the engine rebuild being entrusted to respected marque specialist Hughie Hancox, whose letter detailing the work to be carried out is on file. Acquired by the current owner in December 2008, the machine benefits from a recent thorough service. Carried out in June 2009, the latter included checking the valve clearances; stripping down, cleaning and tuning the carburettors; stripping and servicing the clutch (new cap on pressure plate and new gearbox mainshaft pushrod bearing); replacing the oil pressure release valve (SRM-70.2795 stainless) and fitting a new cut-out switch among other tasks. Presented in generally excellent condition, this collectible early Bonneville is offered with VMCC Works Record Extract, MoT to August 2010, SORN and Swansea V5C registration document.