Web Analytics

 Triumph - 500 GP Grand Prix
 Back to brands list


Triumph GP Grand Prix motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
2711

Capacity : 500
Model : GP Grand Prix
Production : 1948 - 1952
Category : (R) Racing

TRIUMPH

500 Grand Prix - 1948

Birth of a bitza

A dedicated road racer launched in 1948, the Grand Prix Triumph was born out of the company's wartime production of airborne generator sets.

Auxiliary Power Plant

Bombed out of their factory during WWII, Triumph moved into a new factory at Meriden – the reputed geographical center of England. Here they built a special lightweight version of the 500 Speed Twin engine designed by Edward Turner. Intended

to recharge the batteries of Royal Air Force bombers in flight, this "Airborne Auxiliary Power Plant" had a silicon-aluminum cylinders and head.

Triumph over Adversity

It was during a trip to the US that Triumph engineer Freddie Clarke conceived the idea of fitting the all-alloy AAPP engine into the frame of a Tiger 100 equipped with Turner's new sprung rear hub. This bitza (a nickname from "bits of this, bits of that") weighed under 310 lb, developed 10 hp more than the Tiger 100 and even 5 hp more than the all conquering Manx Norton, which was also badly handicapped by the poisonous low-octane gas available in 1946. Dublin fanner Ernie Lyons won the first postwar race in the Isle of Man. The Manx Grand Prix, run in mist and rain, eliminated the favorites. Even when the engine mounts broke, causing a terrible skid on the last Iap, it didn't stop Lyons. Triumph attributed the incident to "loss of attention by the rider." Fast but hairy, the Grand Prix won many minor races but was only available from 1948 and 1952.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 499cc (63x80mm) air-cooled 360-degree parallel twin four-stroke; aluminium head and block; magneto ignition; dty-sump lubrication

Valves: overhead-camshaft

Fuel System: twin carburetors with separate float chambers

Transmission: 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); sprung hub (rear)

Brakes: offset drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 19 inch wire (front & rear)

Weight: 313 lb

Maximum Speed: 120 mph

Production of the fast but tricky Triumph Grand Prix reached only 175 units, most of which were exported to the United States.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.