• Year of manufacture 
    1970
  • Motorcycle type 
    Street
  • Lot number 
    301
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Colour  
    Other
  • Location
    United States

Description

  • Purchased by Steve McQueen’s Solar Productions from stuntman Bud Ekins
  • A classic design featuring scrambler-style exhaust
  • Beautiful, fully restored condition

Steve McQueen would enjoy a long and lasting friendship with the professional stuntman, and accomplished motorcycle racer James Sherwin “Bud” Ekins. Working as a Triumph dealer when he first met McQueen in 1959, Ekins would go on to work closely with the actor, most notably taking on the famous jump in the 1963 film The Great Escape—coincidentally, using a Triumph for the stunt.

The original California ownership transfer document on file—dated 9 June 1970 and listing McQueen’s Solar Productions as the buyer—indicates, Ekins sold this Bonneville TR120 to Solar Productions.

Powered by a 649-cubic-centimenter parallel-twin engine, this TR120 moves away from the standard Bonneville specification with its high-level, scrambler-style exhaust pipes routed along the left side of the frame. It has reportedly never been ridden since its full restoration by Nelson Bros. Motors in Oakland, California, in 2016, making it an ideal showpiece for a dedicated collector.

Please note that the correct frame number is T120R CD44149.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo21.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070