Certain things people feel make them look cool are ultimately questionable, like sunglasses inside; however, this 1938 Triumph FT Speed Twin will definitely make you look cool. And that’s not coming from us, but rather one of its prior owners, “The King of Cool,” Steve McQueen. Though the significance of the bike goes beyond the Triumph and McQueen name to the lesser known Ekins moniker.
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Bud Ekins was a career motorcycle racer, dealer and Hollywood stuntman. It would be the latter two which would bring him close to this bike and McQueen. In the 1960’s Ekins was operating a Triumph dealership in the Hollywood area which had him routinely rubbing elbows with A-listers. It was also during that time that he would work as a stuntman on The Great Escape and Bullitt with McQueen. The two became friends and teammates in numerous motorcycle races together and it would be Ekins who would restore this Triumph for McQueen in the 1970s.
McQueen would pass in 1980, but his estate would hold onto the bike for four additional years before selling it at auction in 1984. After failing to meet reserve at auction in January this ’38 returns again hoping to find a new home. And as a classic Triumph and the first to usher in a new era of motors courtesy of Edward Turner combined with its illustrious restorer and owner this bike will make you cool.
[Photography courtesy of Mecum Auctions.]
The post Steve McQueen’s Triumph Is A Fitting Hollywood Tale appeared first on GAS MONKEY GARAGE | RICHARD RAWLINGS | FAST N LOUD.
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