$22,900
Santa Monica, California
Category
Standard Motorcycles
Engine
650
Posted Over 1 Month
An original Von Dutch custom 1964 Triumph TR6 Engine Number: TR6RDU9509 Frame Number: TR6RDU9509 International Six Days Trial successes in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to develop their range of the 500cc TR5 and the 650cc TR6, introduced for 1956. The larger capacity bikes retained their sporting character but became more of a roadster as time passed, ending up, in effect, as a single-carburetor T120 Bonneville, whose specification in all other respects it closely followed. More tractable than the Bonnie, the TR6 gave little away in terms of outright performance, its standing quarter-mile time and top speed being within a whisker of its twin-carb sibling's. The unique Triumph TR6 Trophy offered here was customized and autographed by the legendary American hot-rod icon and automotive stylist, Von Dutch, recognized by aficionados as father of the post-war California custom car art movement. Kenneth Graeme Howard, better known as 'Von Dutch', was one of the 20th Century's great eccentrics as well as being a gifted mechanic, artist, pin-striper, metal fabricator, knife maker and gunsmith. Born in 1929, he learned how to paint from his father Wally, a sign-writer working in southern Los Angeles, and in the mid-1950s was instrumental in reviving the lost craft of pin-striping among US customizers. 'Dutch' started striping bikes but as his fame grew he began attracting clients who wanted their cars painted. Business snowballed to such an extent that 'Dutch,' who famously detested money and the commercial side of his work, gave up and went into hiding. He resurfaced around ten years later in Arizona where he made guns and knives as well as continuing his painting and customizing career. For a number of years in the mid-sixties people had been asking, 'Where's Dutch?' to which the reclusive artist responded, 'Von Dutch '67 Is Still Alive in Calabasas,' as lettered on this important custom machine. In the mid-1970s Dutch moved back to California to take over the job vacated by Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth at the Brucker family's 'Cars of the Stars and Planes of Fame' Museum at Buena Park. When the Museum closed in 1979 Dutch was kept on as custodian of the Bruckers family's private collection in Santa Paula, California, where he died in 1992. In addition to the famous 'Von Dutch' signature, this important motorcycle features numerous custom features: the rubber gaiters have been removed from the front forks and replaced by chromed shrouds; the tank's knee pads have been removed and 'Triumph' hand lettered in their place; the paintwork is custom throughout, featuring 7-10 different colors creating a 'fish scale' effect - a paint treatment that Von Dutch is known to have employed famously on a 1940 Willys Dragster and a surfboard. In short: the motorcycle offered here represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine example of American automotive art created by the 'father' of the movement. Mechanically, the bike is in very good condition. Obviously, based on the importance of the art, it has been little used. I performed some re-commissioning and the bike started quite easily and rode well. The engine needs nothing, with good, responsive power. The gas smelled old and I cleaned the system enough to run the bike, though it would take a little more to be a daily rider. What a daily rider it would be!! Brakes, suspension, etc. work well. It still sports other Von Dutch customizations: additional chrome on the center stand, chain cover, etc., the seat, the gauge treatment, front forks, etc. The bike is presented in very good condition, superbly original and unrestored. There are a few scratches and blemishes, but it has been left exactly as it was built by Von Dutch 47 years ago, meticulously and caringly preserved. The bike’s uniqueness guarantees it to be the star attraction at a wide variety of events including runs, rallies, shows, concours and club events; anywhere, in fact, where the fusion of art and the motorcycle is appreciated by enthusiasts.
Trim Painted Signed by Von Dutch
