1949 Triumph Grand Prix Racer Replica – Las Vegas Auction 2013
1949 Triumph Grand Prix Racer Replica – Las Vegas Auction 2013
This GP replica was originally built in England in the early 1980s and was documented in an article in the summer 1988 edition of “Classic Racer” magazine (p. 55). It was raced at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park and the Lyden Circuit in England. The bike was then shipped to Vancouver, B.C. in 1987 where the new owner raced it at the famed Westwood Race Track in the Vancouver area before it was closed down in the mid-1990s.
The bike was purchased by the current owner as a running, track ready bike. The objective was that, even though it is a replica, to find as many correct and original parts as possible to turn this machine into an accurate example of the Grand Prix model and preserve the history of these rare Triumph race bikes.
Triumph Grand Prix was born as the first in the line of factory limited production race bikes that extended through the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s until the original Triumph factory closed its doors. This is why the Triumph GP, along with the limited production, is the most desirable and collectable machine for serious Triumph collectors.
This bike has been completely restored from the ground up with close attention to all the details to make this one of the finest Grand Prix replicas available.
Grand Prix Features and Build Details
• 8” GP front hub with 20” alloy rim and Avon UK Speedmaster race compound tire
• Rear sprung hub with Dunlop alloy rim and Avon UK Grand Prix racing rear tire
• BTH TT Magneto
• Pre-war RC83 tachometer with correct GP mounting plate
• Pre-1950 transmission with close ratio gear set.
• Dunlop rubber racing seat
• “GP-ized” motor with:
o Head machine to GP specs with Black Diamond valves
o Internal engine parts polished, including crankshaft, rods and rocker arms
o Alloy valve lifter guides
o Cylinder bore: +0.010” over standard
o Rod bearing size: standard size
• Correct GP tachometer drive, including engine case details
• Custom made replica gas tank using a genuine GP tank as a model
• Dual carburetor intake manifold
• Dual Amal 289 carburetors with 1” bore with new slides, pilot needles and jets, idles screws and gaskets
• GP remote float
• Armored gas and oil lines
• Red fuel line from remote float to the carburetors; used only on GP’s and T100C Race Kit
• GP clutch basket (lightened for speed) with new clutch drive and driven plates
• Painted alloy blade style front and rear fenders
• Correct front and rear fender brackets for GP only including heavy fork brace and one piece, dual attach point fork clamps
• Cartridge-type engine oil filter
• Front engine plates with GP only features (access hole for tach drive lube)
• Paintwork done by Dave Wedlake and pin striping done by Mitch Kim, both of Portland Oregon
Titled in Oregon by the engine number.
