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A superb and rare photo of the Ivor Lloyd on the Triumph 6T Thunderbird engined, Seeley framed motorcycle, nicknamed “Triley” photographed just before a trial run.

The Triumph Thunderbird was introduced in 1949 and produced in its original form until 1966. The name was used thrice more for new and distinct Triumph models. To capture the American market, the 6T Thunderbird used a variant of the earlier Speed Twin's parallel twin engine, bored out from 500 cc to 650 cc to give the added horsepower American customers demanded. The concept of enlarging the Speed Twin, the Thunderbird name and its 'paper dart' logo were thought up by managing director Edward Turner on one of his regular trips to Triumph's operations in the USA. The 'paper dart' logo was embossed onto the chain case cover on Thunderbirds from 1955 to 1962 and can be seen upon closer examination on the supplied photograph. Previously, it appeared as a decal on the headlamp nacelle. The 6T Thunderbird was launched publicly at Montlhéry near Paris where three standard production bikes were ridden around a circuit by a team of riders who between them averaged a speed of 92 mph (148 km/h) over a distance of 500 miles (800 km). All three machines were ridden to the circuit and back to the Meriden factory. Triumph obtained further publicity with Marlon Brando's 1953 motion picture, The Wild One, in which he rode a 1950 6T Thunderbird. In the book Triumph Motorcycles In America there is reproduced a letter from Triumph's importers objecting to the producers as to the use of their machine in this film about rowdy motorcycle gangs. The Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden factory re-introduced the Thunderbird model name to their range in April 1981. he Triumph TR65 Thunderbird 650 cc parallel-twin was a short-stroke version of the 750 cc T140 Bonneville engine and was the cheapest model in Triumph's range with budget features such a siamesed exhaust system, painted rather than polished alloy and economy tyres. Respecting its lineage, the model retained the Turner-designed 'paper dart' logo on its side panels. A trail version of the TR65, the TR65T, was also introduced in 1981 but, as it was priced the same as the 750 cc version, suffered poor sales and was dropped from the range in late 1982. Panned for 1984, a custom-styled and further sleeved-down TR6 600 cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983.

We have more photos, also listed on Ebay, of other bikes, and various motorcycle (world) champions on various kinds of machinery. Please check out our auctions and take advantage of our shipping discount! The auction selection is refreshed and changed continuously.

This is your rare chance to own this photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12”  (ca. 20 x 30 cm).

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