The need for speed

by

This beautiful 650cc Bonneville from what was arguably the pre-unit T120’s top year, does not disappoint.

Words: STEVE WILSON Photographs: GARY CHAPMAN

What goes around, as they say, comes around. Back in the day (the early 1960s) Barry Winter, while already a committed Gold Star owner (see TCM Aug 2018), had succumbed to the allure of the recently arrived T120 Bonneville, which at this peak of the rocker era, ruled the streets.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Classic MotorCycle reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.

He had ordered a brand-new 1961 Bonnie from his local Triumph dealer, Jim Pink at Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

But in 1960 the UK market for two-wheelers, for a variety of reasons, had fallen off a cliff, by 1962 down no less than 50% from its 1959 peak. Triumph concentrated on sales in North America, where they were already well established.

Rocker must-have, twin Chronometric instruments, though T120’s rev counter remained optional and involved a special timing cover.

America had been the target in any case for the T120, and a major influence on its development and style. Thus in 1961 months had gone by, with Barry being told that “They’re all going to the States.” So he cancelled his order.

Article continues below…
Advert

Fast-forward 55 years to 2016 and Barry finally got his 1961 Bonnie, which had been one of the many, as explained, that had gone to America, and now been reimported. So – what goes around, comes around…

Read more and view more images in the May 2019 issue of TCM – on sale now!


Article continues below…
Advert

Advert
Subscribe to The Classic MotorCycle Magazine Enjoy more The Classic MotorCycle reading in the monthly magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Article Tags:

About the Author