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The 1945 Triumph - Page One
(Contribution by Brian Willis)
Willie Hutchinson from Ballykelly and Sean McCarron, 1 who lives in Donegal, are both members of the Eglinton Classic Car Club. Every year the club supports a nominated charity. This year they are helping the group which funds research into Alzheimer's Disease. The two men were casting about for fund raising ideas when Sean suggested to Willie that he had an old motorbike in bits at home which he would willingly donate to the club and perhaps Willie might like to rebuild it. They could then hold a ballot with the bike as the prize.
(The Editor notices that Brian has posted a message (bottom of Page 2) saying the draw for the 1945 Triumph was held just after the last race of the NW200. The winner was Mr. Bernard McGrorty of Fahn Co. Donegal, who is a keen enthusiast and plans to complete the restoration.)
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Nearly there.
Willie Hutchinson at work on the 1945 Triumph.
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Building
It is a 500 Side Valve Triumph Twin (1945) and about fifteen years ago Sean had stripped it right down, then thrown it all into a big tin box where it has lain ever since. So in April of this year the box was brought to Willie Hutchinson's house where he painstakingly built the machine up again. |
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The green army paint can still
be seen under the black of the Garda livery.
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History
The bike was originally built for, and used by, the British Army, and after the war it was sold to Eire. It's believed many of these motorbikes were sold at that time in crates of four, at £20 a crate, to the Southern Irish Government.
Recently a visitor to Mr Hutchinson's workshop recognised this particular machine (Reg No TYI 480) as being used by the Garda in Kilmacrenan, Donegal during the 1950's. Do you know if there are any photos of it in use at that time? |
Missing Years
What happened to it after that is uncertain. The last tax disc is still on the bike and is for the year 1976. |
1 Sean is perhaps better known throughout Ireland for his marvellous saxophone playing.
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