While Steve McQueen is widely recognized for his on-screen triumphs, his off-screen Triumphs may not be quite as well known. At least to the cage-drivers.
But when not escaping from movie prison camps, fighting against the Japanese in Burma, and protecting politicians from the Mob, Steve McQueen was a serious, and seriously accomplished, motorcycle rider and racer:
And, as the King of Cool, there was only one possible ride: Triumph. Of course.
McQueen even insisted upon riding a Triumph Trophy TR6 in the Great Escape, an outstanding movie with even better moto-footage:
Triumph is commemorating this unique heritage by releasing a limited run of Bonnevilles based on the Bonnie T100 and given the King of Cool treatment, which includes a matte military green livery, old-school stenciled Triumph tank decal and the Steve McQueen signature on the side covers:
The Steve McQueen edition comes stock with a skid plate and small black-bodied headlamp. The headlamp isn't the only blacked out accessory. If black is cool then this bike is the McQueen of Coolness. Wheel rims and hubs, bars, mirrors, and rear springs are all blacked out.
And, because there will be only 1100 of these McQueen motos available to the riding public, each motorcycle is equipped with an individually numbered plaque on the handlebar clamp. Buyers receive a certificate of authenticity.
So maybe its not the original Trophy TR6, which is one of the coolest vintage Triumph motos to ever rule the dirt and the roads. And engine and suspension mods, to create a true McQueen racer, instead of just a smattering of cosmetic decorations would have been very welcome, at least for this particular Triumph racing fan.
However this vintage modern McQueen Bonnie, unlike the project TR6 the guy on Craigslist is insisting will be fine with just a little carb work (is there ever just a little work with carbs?), is fuel injected, electric start, rust free, Triumph dependable and Triumph fun-to-ride. All while exhibiting that Triumph cool.
Cheers!
But when not escaping from movie prison camps, fighting against the Japanese in Burma, and protecting politicians from the Mob, Steve McQueen was a serious, and seriously accomplished, motorcycle rider and racer:
 |
| McQueen. Somewhere in Europe. |
And, as the King of Cool, there was only one possible ride: Triumph. Of course.
McQueen even insisted upon riding a Triumph Trophy TR6 in the Great Escape, an outstanding movie with even better moto-footage:
 |
| On the set of the Great Escape with the requisite Trophy TR6 |
Triumph is commemorating this unique heritage by releasing a limited run of Bonnevilles based on the Bonnie T100 and given the King of Cool treatment, which includes a matte military green livery, old-school stenciled Triumph tank decal and the Steve McQueen signature on the side covers:
 |
| The 2012 Triumph McQueen Bonneville |
And, because there will be only 1100 of these McQueen motos available to the riding public, each motorcycle is equipped with an individually numbered plaque on the handlebar clamp. Buyers receive a certificate of authenticity.
So maybe its not the original Trophy TR6, which is one of the coolest vintage Triumph motos to ever rule the dirt and the roads. And engine and suspension mods, to create a true McQueen racer, instead of just a smattering of cosmetic decorations would have been very welcome, at least for this particular Triumph racing fan.
However this vintage modern McQueen Bonnie, unlike the project TR6 the guy on Craigslist is insisting will be fine with just a little carb work (is there ever just a little work with carbs?), is fuel injected, electric start, rust free, Triumph dependable and Triumph fun-to-ride. All while exhibiting that Triumph cool.
Cheers!