By the mid-1950s, desert racing had become extremely popular on the West Coast of the US and high-powered motorcycles like this Triumph TR6 Trophy gave amateur racers a chance of a great result. While many riders simply converted road-going machines, starting in 1949 Triumph offered the TR5 Trophy, a factory-built scrambler model. The Trophy eventually grew to 650 cc with the introduction of the TR6 Trophy in 1956, featuring an aluminum cylinder head, larger Amal carburetor, and higher-compression pistons. With a mid-rise exhaust system, moisture-proof competition magneto, quickly detachable headlight, and knobby tires, the TR6 Trophy was campaigned successfully in thousands of off-road events and served as a mainstay of Triumph motorcycle production through 1973.

One of 1,529 US-specification TR6R models built for 1966, this Triumph features several notable distinctions that debuted that model year including new “Eyebrow” style badging, a 12-volt electrical system, larger six-pint oil tank, quicker steering, and revised front brake drum. As a TR6R model, this Triumph features the larger capacity fuel tank, complete with a chrome parcel grid.

According to the consignor, this TR6 Trophy was previously maintained by well-known Michigan-based Triumph restorer Bill Hoard, who reportedly carried out an engine rebuild and attention to other mechanical systems. Beautifully finished in a striking blue and white color scheme and showing less than 325 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, this is an outstanding example of a classic Triumph scrambler.