Post-Listing Update: This Triumph Thunderbird 6T sold for $12,000 on eBay.
The Thunderbird name has shown up on 3 distinct models of the Triumph line since 1949 – this 6T model is from the original series. For its public launch, three production bikes were ridden from the Meriden plant to a circuit near Paris where they were then ridden over 500 miles at an average of 92 miles per hour. The bikes were then ridden back to Meriden.
The Triumph Thunderbird 6T was created as the firm’s stab at the American market – they bored out their early 500cc parallel twin engine from the Speed Twin as American customers wanted more power. The bike also gained further popularity as it was the featured vehicle in a Marlon Brando film, the Wild One – though Triumph’s American importers originally objected to its usage in a movie featuring “rowdy motorcycle gangs.” The T-bird pushed out 34 horsepower to a four-speed transmission, and the bike weighed 397 pounds wet. I much prefer the earlier Thunderbird years as they weren’t afflicted by the hideous ‘bathtub’ fairing that was introduced in 1960.
This specific Triumph Thunderbird 6T (VIN: 6T 29192) is a numbers matching example featuring the classic Polychromatic Blue paint scheme. Mileage is unclear, but the bike has been in climate controlled storage for the last 12 years. Despicably, the seller claims that the “weather did not permit a ride”, as if that’s somehow a real reason not to wait a day and take it for a test ride. Budget some money to address some issues the seller may be conveniently ignoring, like the lighting system (however there is a video showing the bike being started), and you’ll have yourself a classic runner.
Find this Triumph Thunderbird 6T for sale in Louisville, Kentucky with bidding up to $10,000