Triumph

Ltd. Edition TAG Heuer Steve McQueen Motorcycle Helmet

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

In November 2009 my colleague Jeremy Korzeniewski wrote about Triumph and TAG Heuer joining forces to create a one-of-a-kind Bonneville Heuer motorcycle inspired by Steve McQueen and the Porsche 917 that the famous actor, racecar driver and motorcycle rider piloted in the classic film Le Mans. Unfortunately the super-cool bike was never offered for sale. Now however TAG Heuer has come out with a limited edition motorcycle helmet also inspired by the King of Cool, who wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the film. The retro-styled fiberglass helmet, which features a racing stripe matching the colors on McQueen's driving gear, vintage Heuer logo, steel hardware and leather trim, is priced at about $650.

Tags: motorcycle, motorcycle helmet, Steve McQueen, TAG Heuer, Triumph, watches

McQueen Motos & Memorabilia in Bonhams California Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

An impressive collection of Steve McQueen memorabilia including two classic Harley Davidson sidecars used in his famed 1963 flick The Great Escape (above) are being offered for sale Bonhams & Butterfields' Classic California Auction on November 13th at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The items come from the collection of McQueen's good friend, racer, stuntman and Triumph dealer Bud Ekins. The Harley sidecars date from 1936 and were used in the movie set during World War II, in which Ekins, acting as McQueen's stunt double, made the famous motorcycle jump over the wire fence.

The Harleys were disguised as German motorcycles and the sidecars were made to appear as Steib sidecars in the film. Later they were repainted for use in Badge of Courage, Steven Spielberg's 1941 and numerous other war films, and are estimated to fetch $6,000 – $8,000. Also included in the sale are a five page handwritten letter from McQueen to Ekins, estimated at $1,000 – $1,500; and assorted McQueen related memorabilia, including press clippings, four books, rare photographs and two copies of Life magazine, estimated at only $300 – $400; plus several vintage Triumphs, Harleys and more from Ekins' amazing collection. Check out the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Steve McQueen at Bonhams & Butterfields

[via JamesList]

Tags: auction, Bonhams, California, celebrity, Harley Davidson, Los Angeles, motorcycle, movies, Steve McQueen, Triumph

2011 Triumph Sprint GT Favors the Touring Side of Sport Touring

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2011 Triumph Sprint GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Triumph has updated its Sprint sport touring platform for the 2011 model year, and the bike seems to favor the touring side of the sport touring relationship a little more heavily than before. The 1050cc inline-triple powerplant puts out five more horsepower than before, now totaling 130 horses. Standard equipment includes anti-lock brakes, 8.2-gallon saddlebags and a 12-volt power port. Heated grips, a taller windscreen, gel seats and a large top case for additional storage are available and desirable options.

The 2011 bike will be recognizable due to its smoother fairing, new lighting up front and the single low-mount exhaust that replaces the previous underseat system. The 2011 Triumph Sprint will carry a $13,199 starting price when it hits dealerships this fall. Check it out for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Triumph Sprint GT

[Source: Triumph]

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Tags: 2011 triumph sprint, 2011 triumph sprint gt, 2011TriumphSprint, 2011TriumphSprintGt, motorcycle, sport tourer, sport touring, SportTourer, SportTouring, triumph, triumph sprint, triumph sprint gt, TriumphSprint, TriumphSprintGt

Triumph Shows Off Red and White 2010 Thruxton SE

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2010 Triumph Thruxton SE - Click above for high-res image gallery

As far as we're concerned, there will always be a market for sporty vintage-styled machinery like the Triumph Thruxton. After all, not everyone needs 150 horsepower and 200 mile-per-hour top speeds to have a good time on two wheels, and few motorcycles possess the kind of style that Hinckley bakes into its line of modern classics.

This is especially true of the new 2010 Thruxton SE, which gets a Crystal White paint job on the tins with a single red stripe and a matching red powdercoated frame. Completing the package is a small flyscreen, black engine cases and a smattering of appropriate decals.

There aren't any changes to the sportiest Bonnie's 865cc parallel-twin powerplant, which puts out a claimed 68 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque. While we'd gladly take at least a little power boost, if we were in the market for such a bike the Thruxton SE would certainly be on our short list.

Gallery: 2010 Triumph Thruxton SE

[Source: Triumph via Hell for Leather]

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Tags: 2010 triumph, 2010 triumph thruxton, 2010 triumph thruxton se, 2010Triumph, 2010TriumphThruxton, 2010TriumphThruxtonSe, thruxton, triumph, triumph thruxton, triumph thruxton se, TriumphThruxton, TriumphThruxtonSe

Triumph and TAG Heuer Honor Steve McQueen With Special Bonneville

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Triumph Bonneville Heuer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Triumph and TAG Heuer have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind Bonneville Heuer motorcycle. Inspired by Steve McQueen and the Porsche 917k that the famous actor, racecar driver and motorcycle rider piloted in the classic film Le Mans, the Bonneville Heuer is painted up in the classic Gulf Oil blue and orange scheme and will be used for promotional purposes.

McQueen famously wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the aforementioned race film and was a renowned Triumph enthusiast. Says Neil Morley, Triumph's Head of Brand Communications:

We are delighted to play our part in this exciting project. The Triumph Bonneville and TAG Heuer Monaco are both timeless masterpieces, celebrating their respective 50th and 40th anniversaries this year. We also both have a natural connection with Steve McQueen, who famously wore a Monaco watch in the film Le Mans and was renowned for his love of our bikes, making this a very natural collaboration.

As much as we'd like to tell you this will be an optional color choice for the production Bonneville, that's not currently the case. If you like it as much as we do, perhaps a phone call to your local Triumph dealer is in order.

Gallery: Triumph Bonneville Heuer

[Source: Triumph]

Tags: bonneville, bonneville heuer, BonnevilleHeuer, heuer, steve mcqueen, SteveMcqueen, tag heuer, TagHeuer, triumph, triumph bonneville, triumph bonneville heuer, TriumphBonneville, TriumphBonnevilleHeuer

Continue reading “Triumph and TAG Heuer Honor Steve McQueen With Special Bonneville”

Triumph Updates 2010 Rocket III With Even More Power

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

2010 Triumph Rocket III Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just in case the original Triumph Rocket III and its hulking 2.3-liter inline triple engine wasn't quite bonkers enough for you, the British motorcycle manufacturer has just announced it's upping the power of that awe-inspiring mill for the 2010 model year. The 165 lb-ft of torque represents a 15-percent improvement over the 2009 model, and that plateau is reached at just 2,750 rpm.

Couple that foundation-wrenching pulling power with 146 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and a reported 807-pound wet weight and you've got yourself a laudable power-to-weight ratio. Fortunately, Triumph has also seen fit to update the Rocket's suspension and brake components to match the newfound grunt. A new set of 43-millimeter upside-down forks join twin Kayaba shocks to keep the big bike under control and updated Brembo brakes are paired up with Triumph's proven ABS system.

On the styling side of the coin, Triumph will paint the new 2010 Rocket in any color you'd like... just so long as it's black. Hey, don't complain – you do get the choice of either glossy or matte finish, and don't forget about that engine! Rounding out the updates are twin chrome silencers and a reconfigured riding position with a shorter reach to the handlebars and slightly more rearset footpegs. We'll take ours in, um, black.

Gallery: 2010 Triumph Rocket III Roadster

[Source: Triumph]

Tags: 2010 triumph rocket 3, 2010 triumph rocket iii, 2010 triumph rocket iii roadster, 2010TriumphRocket3, 2010TriumphRocketIii, 2010TriumphRocketIiiRoadster, rocket 3, rocket iii, Rocket3, RocketIii, triumph, triumph rocket 3, triumph rocket iii, triumph rocket iii roadster, TriumphRocket3, TriumphRocketIii, TriumphRocketIiiRoadster

Continue reading “Triumph Updates 2010 Rocket III With Even More Power”

McQueen Motorbikes & Memorabilia Bring Big $

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Men's Style

Two of legendary actor Steve McQueen's motorbikes and "The King of Cool's" international driver's license took top spots on Saturday at Bonhams & Butterfields' first-ever motorcycle and memorabilia auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA, held during the inaugural The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, an event showcasing the finest motorcycles from the past, present and future. The auction, which brought in $941,000 total, featured spirited bidding and international interest.

$84,240 was paid for McQueen's 1963 Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled, built by stunt rider and off-road racing champ Bud Ekins and painted by iconic detailer Von Dutch, while another bidder paid $39,780 for McQueen's last vintage bike purchase – a 1929 Harley-Davidson 45ci DL. Another enthusiastic McQueen fan and collector paid $42,700 - more than four times its estimate - for the International Driver's License (above) issued to the actor in 1964. The 3.5x5-inch license displays his portrait photo and signature and came to auction from the collection of his first wife.

Tags: Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsButterfields, Harley-Davidson, motorcycle, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, Triumph, Von Dutch, VonDutch

Vintage Motorcycles to be Showcased at Pebble Beach for the First Time

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, The Classicist

The annual Legend of the Motorcycle concours may have been canceled for 2009, but classic two-wheel motor aficionados have good cause to take heart as the organizers of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance have announced that, for the first time in the event's history – now spanning nearly six decades – classic motorbikes will be included.

Citing an increased enthusiasm for vintage motorcycles and the important role they played in the development of the automobile, organizers of the annual event, considered one of the most prestigious in America, have opened this summer's event for British motorbikes produced before 1959. Show-goers can expect to see a wide array of Triumphs, Nortons, Vincents and more, including the example pictured above on which legendary rider Rollie Free set the land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats in 1948, clocking in at 150 mph wearing nothing more than a bathing suit, swim cap and sneakers.

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Tags: ariel, bathing suit bike, BathingSuitBike, brough superior, BroughSuperior, bsa, classic motorbikes, classic motorcycles, ClassicMotorbikes, ClassicMotorcycles, gunga din, GungaDin, monterey, motorbikes, motorbikes monterey, motorbikes pebble beach, MotorbikesMonterey, MotorbikesPebbleBeach, motorcycles, motorcycles monterey, motorcycles pebble beach, MotorcyclesMonterey, MotorcyclesPebbleBeach, norton, pebble beach, PebbleBeach, triumph, velocette, vincent, vintage motorbikes, vintage motorcycles, VintageMotorbikes, VintageMotorcycles

Get Brad Pitt's Belstaff Jackets from Benjamin Button

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Charity, Men's Style

British outerwear company Belstaff are offering a collection of leather jackets worn by Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In the movie, co-starring Cate Blanchett, Pitt sports three different Belstaff designs in various scenes. In the first, Pitt wears the iconic Belstaff Panther jacket (above) while riding his vintage Indian motorcycle through Louisiana with Blanchett, giving her the jacket to keep warm at one point; in the second he's seen riding a classic Triumph motorcycle wearing a Royal Air Force-type flying jacket based on an archival design, dubbed the Button Blouson; and in a scene opposite Tilda Swinton he sports a vintage shearling-trimmed jacket which the company has now resurrected.

All three jackets can now be ordered from Belstaff's website or purchased in Belstaff stores, in limited editions. The Panther is priced at $1,205, the Button Blouson $1,295, and the Shearling, $1,995. Belstaff is also donating a portion of sales to Pitt's Hurricane Katrina charity, Make It Right. Belstaff, founded in 1924, was a favorite of Steve McQueen, and has also outfitted Will Smith in I Am Legend, Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible and War of the Worlds, Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code, Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns and George Clooney in Leatherheads. Benjamin Button has been nominated for 13 Oscars including Best Costume Design.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Brad Pitt & Belstaff

Pitt & Blanchett (wearing his Belstaff Panther)

Tags: Belstaff, Brad Pitt, BradPitt, cate blanchett, CateBlanchett, Celebrity, Hurricane Katrina, HurricaneKatrina, Leather, Motorcycle, Movies, Oscars, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, the curious case of benjamin button, TheCuriousCaseOfBenjaminButton, Triumph

Bonhams' $2 Million Motorcycle Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

On Monday, Bonhams will auction off an astounding collection of vintage motorcycles worth $2 million at the Royal Air Force Museum in London. The sale represents the largest single-owner collection of motorbikes ever to come to auction; all 300 machines are from the Professor Fritz Ehn Motorcycle Museum in Austria. Our favorite lots are two wicked - and wickedly fast - British-made Vincents: the 1955 998cc Black Prince, pictured here, est. $56,000 - $64,000; and a 1952 998cc Black Shadow, the fastest road-going vehicle of its time, est. $44,000 - $56,000.

Also included in the historic sale: a 1935 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50hp, ak.a. the "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" as driven by T. E. Lawrence (the famous Lawrence of Arabia), est. $50,000 - $60,000; a 1927 BMW 500cc R47, est. $36,000 - $44,000; a 1937 Ariel 995cc Square Four Model 4G, est. $20,000 - $24,000; as well as many other examples by Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph and more.

Gallery: Bonhams Motorbikes

1980 Ducati 864cc 'Mike Hailwood Replica'

Tags: Austria, BMW, Bonhams, Ducati, London, Motorcycles, Triumph, Vincent motorcycles, VincentMotorcycles

50th Anniversary Triumph Bonneville Motorcycle

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Ewan McGregor may have sported a light-saber in Star Wars as Obi Wan Kanobi but his current role is designing and promoting the new 50th Anniversary Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. With a copper-plated tank and a Belstaff black-waxed cotton seat and side panel its look is at once modern and traditional. Expected to be auctioned off to support McGregor's chosen charity, UNICEF, the celebration is also heralded by Belstaff designed bike accessories and a limited-edition biker style jacket. I'd say these are much more glamorous looking than those crazy speeders he rode in Star Wars...

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Tags: 50th-Anniversary-Bonneville, 50th-Anniversary-Triumph, ewan mcgregor, EwanMcgregor, Triumph, Triumph-Bonneville

Paul Smith Triumph Bag

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

I wrote before about designer Paul Smith's partnership with Triumph to create motorcycles. Smith was also inspired to make several bags that celebrate vintage Triumph style. There is a messenger bag made to look like a distressed motorcycle jacket and this canvas weekend bag that features a Triumph on one side and a close-up of the engine on the other. The bag has leather trim and a vibrant purple lining. It's on sale at eLuxury for $329, down from $495.

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Tags: bag, handbag, overnight bag, paul smith, PaulSmith, triumph