First year (1959) Bonneville

I've started with worse, but not MUCH worse! It's a special order (U.S.Navy) T120 Bonneville, but with a 6T single carb head (unclear as to whether it was dispatched with it in place, or if it was a replacement due to the typical cracking). Rear alloy rim probably rim not come from the factory. Dispatch records indicate that it DID have the QD rear hub, very rare on a first-year Bonnie. Also, the Kingfisher Blue & Silver paint was not typical first-year "Tangerine Dream" color scheme, but is noted on the dispatch record. (Thanx to "Bushy" for the dispatch info)

The first thing I did was yank the seat from my '56 T-Bird bobber to get a better idea of what the bike will look like (it had a modern chopper seat on it that actually fit the curves almost right).



After seeing THIS, I know why there were never pix of the primary (left side) in the sale posting - LOTS of total rust-out...



It's likely that I'll sacrifice additional parts from the T-Bird (tool box & cover at least) to get it "complete" and running before I even DREAM of restoring it. I suppose I'll end up selling the T-Bird to fund whatever minimal stuff I start to do to it, but I want to RIDE IT. Probably keep it as an "oily rag" special 'till the day I have so much play money that it makes more sense to do a full restoration ($$,$$$.$$)

nearly a bad as mine, great project. did you buy it from an advert.

A guy showed up on TriumphRat.Net asking as to the value for an estate sale.

I gave it four days for other members to have a shot, then snapped it up.

Good Score.
I bought a 1959 T110 when I lived in London in the late 80's and it arrived as is usual with old Triumphs I buy in a mixture of ice cream containers.
I restored it in my lounge and rode it to the TT in 1991.
I became a bit of a 1959 expert due to so many of Triumph parts looking right but not fitting.
From what I gather the US did not like the Tangerine/grey and went for blue/grey I think mid year.
The only difference between a T110 and T120 for that year is the single carb head Vs the twin carb with remote float chamber.
last restored 59 I saw here went for upwards of 20K US and that was a few years back.
the Patina on yours is cool.
My T110 lives in boxes and ice cream containers waiting its turn. :roll: