The very first 1091 Triumph Prototype has been found and restored to how it would have looked when completed.
Vintage Triumph collector Dick Shepherd is the man behind this project. The bike precedes the company’s first sale of a motorcycle in 1902.
Triumph’s long and rich history just got a little better.
Returning the First 1901 Triumph Prototype to its Former Glory
The first 1901 Triumph Prototype motorcycle was referenced in advertising and reviews in the early 1900s, but the bike was only rumored to exist. Developed from a standard Triumph bicycle, it’s the beginning of the iconic motorcycle marque.
Shepherd managed to get his hands on the bike serendipitously and from there he restored the bike.
“Having been approached by a friend of a collector, who had sadly recently passed away, to evaluate an old Triumph, I was incredibly excited to discover that the bike they had featured unique details that were not present on the first production Triumphs. Along with the bike, the collector had also received a letter from Triumph, dated in 1937, that outlined the bike’s unique origins and provided key details.”
“With an engine number that is consistent with references in Minerva’s engine records of a 1901 first Triumph engagement, the historic significance of this motorcycle became incredibly clear.”
“As a lifelong passionate fan of the history and achievements of this incredible British brand, to have discovered this amazing survivor and restored it to the glorious condition it would have been in when it first went on display in 1901 has given me an immense amount of satisfaction.”
The bike will be showcased and ridden in public for the first time in over 100 years at UK’s Motorcycle Live show. It will go on display next to the 1 millionth Hinckley Triumph.
Looking for a vintage Triumph? Check out eBay’s listings.
