Description
Triumph 1950 5T “Speed Twin” 498 cc OHV vertical twin frame # 4778 N engine # 5T 4778 N
In 1936 the Triumph Cycle Co., that has been struggling for a number of years, is taken over by Jack Sangster and renamed Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd. Edward Turner becomes the new Works Manager and he immediately starts to rationalize things: he reduces the range of machines, but keeps the excellent bottom end designs of the Page designed singles.
The “Tiger” range is introduced in September 1936 for the 1937 model year. There are three models: the 250 cc T 70, the 350 cc T80 and the 500 cc T 90. Apart from the bottom ends, everything is new. There is a new, compact gearbox and a new, enclosed valve mechanism. The brakes are improved and the oil pump is given a larger capacity. The machines has compact frames and silver and blue enameled tanks with chrome panels. Attention to styling is always a strong point with Turner: the Tigers look good and they are good and this new range of machines helps Triumph back to the top. In September 1937 the range is expanded by a revolutionary new design, the “Speed Twin”. The press is elated: the machine is relatively light, handles and steers excellently, is very powerful and not overpriced. And it’s good looking too, in its dark red “Amaranth” color setting: the “Speed Twin “ will become the first of many successful Triumph twin models. After the war the model is further developed: it gets telescopic front forks with hydraulic damping and a sprung rear hub becomes available as an extra. Top speed is about 150 kph and the machine weighs 165,5 kg. A quote from the brochure: “The Triumph Speed Twin was the first modern high performance twin and originator of the present-day trend to vertical twins. Still as popular as it ever was, this famous dark red machine is to be found in every part of the world and is an established favourite for police duties. Fitted with a 500 cc overhead valve vertical twin engine producing 27 bhp, its performance as a fast solo is well-known to discriminating riders. Coupled with the famous Triumph four-speed foot operated gearbox, it provides effortless, silent travel under all conditions.”
This elegant and sporty Speed Twin comes with sprung rear hub, solo saddle, tyre pump and Swedish registration papers. The Triumph patented headlamp nacelle accommodates a Smiths combined speedometer/rev counter indicating speed and distance in kilometers. This handsome Triumph is in fine overall condition.