Lot 206: 1963 Triumph 173cc TS1

Triumph, in common with most British makers, came late to the scooter boom, slow to realize that there was a considerable market for clean, enclosed, two-wheelers. Alongside their T.10 automatic, were two larger models, also badged as BSA-Sunbeams and made in Birmingham. The paradox was that, although the 250cc, twin-cylinder, Tigress was more charismatic, the 175cc TS1 was quickly found to be the better bike. Its mechanics were based on the well-proven BSA Bantam in the robust and good-handling Tigress chassis, avoiding all of the twin’s mechanical problems. 75 DVJ is to original specification and has been re-finished in metallic blue. In relatively recent use, the TS1 should respond well to normal re-commissioning before riding. It is complete with old MOT certificates, an RF.60 and a V5 for its Heredfordshire number.