Ex-Tony Jefferies; works, 1972 Triumph Trident Formula 750 Racing Motorcycle

• One of eight 'lowboy' works racers built for 1972
• One of the most complete and original complete and original of the surviving works F750 Tridents
• Bol d'Or-winning engine (1970 and 1971)
• Two private owners from new
• Owned by the late Richard Darby since 2022

This Triumph Trident Formula 750 racer was built over the winter of 1971/72. Its construction was required because the machine built for and used by Tony Jefferies during the 1971 season had been given to Bob Bailey following the notorious 'claiming rule' incident at the Ontario 250 race held on 17th October 1971.

The frame used for the '72 machine was one from the last batch made for the factory by legendary frame builder Rob North; this batch of frames were TIG welded as opposed to the brazed construction used on the 1970 built 'highboys' and the initial batch of 'lowboys' built for the 1971 season.

This machine was built in the Experimental Department at Triumph's Meriden factory and is believed to be the very last racing machine built by that department. Tony's personal mechanic John Whittaker was drafted in to help build the machine alongside the Experimental Department staff who had built the 1970 and '71 machines.
The engine used in the build is particularly interesting and has a significant history outside of its use in the '72 Jefferies F750 machine. Numbered 'GC04077T150T', this engine was originally fitted the works No.3 Triumph Trident Production Racer registration number 'XWD 584H' The engine's history in this machine is as follows:

The 1970 24-Hour Bol d'Or race was held on the banked circuit at Montlhéry, France, over the 12th and 13th September 1970. Tom Dickie and Paul Smart rode the Trident to victory completing 469 laps, a total of 1,838 miles at an average speed of 76.51mph.

Brands Hatch, Hutchinson 100 Production Race 8th August 1971. Ridden by Paul Smart, 1st leg 2nd place, 2nd leg 2nd place, 2nd place overall.

Silverstone 750cc Production Race. 22nd August 1971. Ridden by Paul Smart, 2nd place and joint record lap of 1m 44s, 101.32 mph (shared with race winner Ray Pickrell).

The engine was removed from the No.3 production racer and installed in the No.7 'highboy' Daytona/F750 frame which had been specially prepared (along with its sister No.8 machine) for the 1971 24 Hour Bol d'Or race held on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans, France, over the 11th and 12th of September 1971. Ray Pickrell and Percy Tait rode their machine to victory, completing 616 laps for a total of 1,601 miles.

The engine was removed from the No.7 'highboy' and used in the build of the 1972 'lowboy' used with considerable success during that season by Tony Jefferies, including wins at Scarborough and Brands Hatch, and a 2nd place at the Isle of Man TT in June of that year. He placed 3rd in the same event in 1973. The following race results were achieved in 1972:

31st March '72 (Transatlantic Match Races) Brands Hatch Race 1 10th Race 2 10th
2nd April '72 (Transatlantic Match Races) Mallory Park Race 1 6th Race 2 12th
3rd April '72 (Transatlantic Match Races) Oulton Park Race 1 8th Race 2 12th
3rd April '72 1,000cc Race Oulton Park 3rd
23rd April '72 Formula 750cc Race Imola 6th
14th May '72 Motorcycle News Superbike Cadwell Park 2nd
29th May '72 Motorcycle News Superbike Brands Hatch 4th
7th June '72 Formula 750cc Race Isle of Man 2nd
11th June '72 1000cc Race Mallory Park 3rd
11th June '72 Motorcycle News Superbike Mallory Park 9th
2nd July '72 750cc Race Scarborough 1st
22nd July '72 Formula 750cc Race Sweden 3rd
6th August '72 Hutchinson '100' Race Brands Hatch 1st
6th August '72 Formula 750cc Race Brands Hatch 3rd
13th August '72 1000cc Race Silverstone 7th
13th August '72 Formula 750cc Race Silverstone 3rd
28th August '72 Motorcycle News Superbike Oulton Park 5th
10th September '72 Motorcycle News Superbike Scarborough 4th
10th September '72 750cc Race Scarborough 6th
17th September '72 'Race of the Year' Mallory Park 7th
8th October '72 'Race of the South' Brands Hatch 5th

At the end of the 1972 season all of the works race machines were withdrawn by the factory and returned to Meriden. They had been supported by factory mechanics, but the machines had to be privately entered either by the rider or by one of the principal factory dealers. The machines were held in store until sold off. Sadly, Tony Jefferies racing career had been ended by an accident in 1973.

Following Triumph's withdrawal from racing (and the 1973 accident that ended Tony Jefferies' racing career) the bike was sold to Mel Farrar who continued racing it, setting a lap record at Scarborough. The machine had been offered to Tony Jefferies for his brother Nick to race, but the offer was not taken up (see accompanying documentation). It was subsequently sold to Mel Farrar on the 25th April 1974 (see copies of the order form and letter from Triumph's Development Engineer Doug Hele on file). Mel Farrar retained ownership of this machine until it was sold to Richard Darby in 2022.

In a letter dated 1st January 2021, Mel Farrar states: "I have owned this bike since collecting it from Triumph at Kitts Green on 24th April 1974 there have been NO modifications from when I collected it on that date, it still has full works specification." Richard Darby, who was well known in classic bike circles as the proprietor of 3D Motorcycles (Hedgehog Racing) in Wolverhampton, and particularly so for his work with Triumph Tridents, owned and cherished the bike until his untimely death in November 2023.

The machine was raced by Mel Farrar in period and then, for many years, remained as a static exhibit before coming out of retirement for the first Beezumph Rally in 1992. Unfortunately, at that event it threw a drive-side connecting rod, damaging the crankcase as a result. This was subsequently repaired by Les Williams and his team at his business LP Williams Ltd. The Trident was not run subsequently until Richard Darby acquired it, when it became apparent that there was a minor oil leak between the drive-side and centre crankcase. It was not major but will require work to investigate and effect an appropriate solution. It is important to note that the original numbered drive-side crankcase was repaired and not replaced; evidence of that repair is clear to see upon inspection.

A number of the works Triumph Tridents were damaged or destroyed by fire at the National Motorcycle Museum in September 2003, and although some were subsequently rebuilt, none have their original engines. According to Clive Blake of the Trident & Rocket 3 Owners Club, the Tony Jefferies bike is therefore 'probably the most complete and original' of the surviving Tridents.

Apart from the tank, seat and fairing which have been repainted to reflect the machine's livery as last raced at the end of the 1972 season, it is in an unrestored condition with regards to frame and oil tank paintwork. The brake lines have been replaced with period-correct items while retaining the original fittings. The engine has TH6 cams fitted, the exhaust providing drive for the quill-drive ignition with Bendix points. The original works cylinder head and pistons are top specification 'squish' components; the carburettors are original works 32/30mm Mk1 Concentrics; and the front brake discs are development metal-sprayed on alloy rotor components. All in all, this machine represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a very original works Trident with fantastic in-period racing history and still in very original condition. Without doubt this is one of the most historically important British racing motorcycles of the modern era ever to be offered for sale. Key not required.

Bonhams would like to thank the Doug Hele, Les Williams/Neil Payne archive and the Steve Brown archive for their kind assistance in preparing this description.
Key not required