In 1969 Tricor the USA’s east coast Triumph distributor wanted a motorcycle that customers could compete in the AMA 750cc class. Having recently launched the new Trident 750 the factory were not inclined to produce a 750 Bonneville so Tricor’s directors produced their own 750cc ‘race kit’ conversion in conjunction with expert tuner and drag racer Hubert ‘Sonny’ Routt. Make shift assembly lines were set up in Baltimore and Duarte, brand new bikes were partially uncrated and the 750 kit, which comprised of larger pistons and rings and an identical barrel ( with the exception of the Sonny Rout / motor castings logo ) installed.
In order to meet the regulations a minimum 200 bikes had to be produced, these engines had a ’T’ stamped on the cases.
On discovering this Triumph UK dismissed Tricor’s manager Rob Coates and the project ceased with only 204 T120 RT’s being built.
As such these bikes are super rare, this fine example was authenticated and comprehensively restored by a marque specialist and is supplied with a history file that details the restoration work, it is also supplied with a letter from the AMA hall of fame confirming that vin number ED50958 is a genuine RT.
1970 was the last year of production of the ‘pre oil in frame’ Bonneville and was the most developed T120 produced and therefore arguably the best, so this has to be the ultimate Triumph Bonneville, a matching number beautifully restored super rare bike – it remains in exceptional order.
