Dick Shepherd will be delving into his archive of stunning Triumph bikes and selecting some of his
This year’s pop up museum features an eclectic display that presents a veritable snapshot of Triumph’s history with over 70 years separating prototype bikes 1946 and 2019.
The undoubted highlight of this year’s collection is the Triumph that Buddy Elmore raced to victory at Daytona in 1966, from which the Triumph ‘Daytona’ derived. Buddy took the bike, which has not been displayed in public since the win, from 46th place on the grid in what is widely recognised as the most famous Daytona 200 race of all time.
Another bike that almost enjoyed success just a year later on the Isle of Man – the Triumph raced in the 1967 Production 500 TT Race by Percy Tait – will be returning to the island this year for the display. Percy was one of the pre-race favourites but broke down at Ballaugh.
The oldest bike in the display sees the return to the Isle of Man of the 1946 Prototype T100GP that Ernie Lyons raced to victory in the 1946 Senior Manx Grand Prix while the latest is the new 2019 Moto 2 prototype that Triumph provides to the Championship as the exclusive engine supplier. Race fans around the Island will Steve Parrish will take the Moto 2 bike around the Mountain Course in the Classic Racer Lap of Honour on Monday 26th August.
Many of the bikes in Dick’s collection have appeared in films including the Bonneville from the latest Jurassic World film ridden by Chris Pratt while the Triumph TR6 – colloquially referred to as the ‘Desert Sled’ which is instantly recognisable and best remembered as the bike that Steve McQueen used in the Great Escape.
Aside from its silver screen track record, the desert sled scored victories in world class races likes the Barstow to Vegas 150 mile desert Race, the big Bear Run, the Hi-Mountain 200 Enduro and the AMA National Hare and Hound Championship.
The free to view display, which will be in place in the paddock throughout the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, opens on Saturday 17th August and will remain in place until Friday 30th August.
Photos: IOMTT Races
