Triumph Model 3T 350

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EX-WILLIAM LYONS OF JAGUAR CARS FAME

Developed for service with the military in World War Two, Triumph's first 350cc vertical twin formed the basis for a civilian version when hostilities ceased.

The basic engine design followed that laid down pre-war by Edward Turner for the trend-setting Speed Twin, but featured rocker boxes incorporated into the cylinder head casting and a built-up crankshaft with one piece connecting rods like the military 3TW.

The running gear was essentially that of the Speed Twin and featured Triumph's new telescopic front fork. Lower geared than its 500cc sibling, the 3T was nevertheless capable of reaching 75mph and could return around 80mpg.

Unlike the later unitary construction 3TA 350, the 3T possessed a measure of the low-down 'grunt' associated with Triumph's larger vertical twins and as a result is arguably a much more pleasant and characterful machine to ride.

This particular 3T was first registered on 24th August 1946 to William Lyons of Wappenbury Hall, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Born in Blackpool in 1901, William Lyons did an engineering apprenticeship at Crossley Motors in Manchester before going to work as a salesman for a Sunbeam dealership in Blackpool.

It was here that he met William Walmsley who was buying war surplus motorcycles and converting them for civilian use. He was also making side cars to attach to them. The pair struck up a friendship and went into business together as Swallow Sidecars in September 1922 on Lyons’ 21st birthday, the minimum legal age to become a company director. By 1927 they had moved into car manufacture, moving to larger premises in Coventry in 1928.

In 1933 they changed the company name to SS Cars Ltd. Walmsley left the company in 1934 and Lyons launched his first Jaguar model in 1935. After the war Lyons renamed the company Jaguar Cars Ltd because of the unfortunate Nazi association with the old SS name and the rest is history. Lyons lived at Wappenbury Hall from the 1930s until his death in 1985.

After Lyons sold the Triumph 3T it had three further owners before the vendor acquired it in 1952. He used it regularly until 1968 before laying it up. It has just had a full mechanical rebuild at Robin James Engineering Services of Leominster and is now in good running order but requires painting and plating and the front wheel rebuilding to make good. Better still it should be left well alone the more to enjoy its wonderful patina.

It comes with a copy of the original log book containing the name and address of William Lyons and is still on its original number plate. A modern V5C has been applied for and should be here in time for the sale. Sadly the original card log book was never returned to the vendor when he sent it to his local tax office in Northampton when it became full of excise stamps. Fortunately he had the presence of mind to copy it before he sent it (this being in the days before photocopiers existed, the copy is not of the highest quality but the Lyons address and signature are clearly legible).

Being offered here at no reserve, it is perhaps of more interest to fans of a certain make of four-wheeled transport than it is to fans of the Triumph marque.

AMENDMENT:

Two black and white photos have been added to the website.

The first b/w photo was taken by the vendor while serving with the RAF in Germany. The machine is carrying a British Zone registration number at this point, one of a series issued by the British authorities in Germany for the private vehicles of British Services personnel stationed in Germany. 

This shows the condition of the machine as purchased by the vendor in July 1952. Note the non-standard finish to the petrol tank which is believed by the vendor to be original and correct for this machine as it was supplied to a special customer. This tank was later badly damaged in an accident while being ridden by a fellow airman. The Feridax dualseat, Valow crashbars and other accretions are unlikely to be original fittings when the machine was supplied to JW Lyons and were probably added by a later owner. 

 

The second b/w photo shows the machine after the vendor rebuilt it in 1958. His solution to the petrol tank damage was to cover the dents and welds with filler and spray it silver all over. He still has this tank in his possession, should the winning bidder wish to collect it from Northants. The tank currently on the bike is a replacement supplied by Robin James. Note also the ‘Siddaway Spring Heel’. This turned out be not a good idea and has been removed.