This auction is for a brand-new, in the crate 1977 Triumph Silver Jubilee Limited Edition bike, literally preserved in its shipping wrapper, never opened. The Silver Jubilee was built to commemorate the first 25 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as the Queen of England, and produced in limited numbers. This example was delivered new to H&H Cycle of Ohio, where it apparently sat boxed up for years. It is now available via a charity auction here on eBay with two bids to just under $20K.
The auction ends tomorrow, so jump on this opportunity if a brand new Triumph motorcycle if on your must-have list. According to the National Motorcycle Museum, the Silver Jubilee bikes featured a number of cosmetic enhancements: “Chrome plating was added to the engine side-cases, the tail light housing was chromed and chrome rims were painted and striped down their centers, a classic touch. Cast alloy wheels were optional. Body paint and badging were nicely designed. Upholstery included red piping. Each Silver Jubilee came with a certificate of authenticity.”
The article goes on to note that they were immediately perceived as collector’s items, and many were put away in hopes of preserving the limited production bike’s value. That’s likely what happened in this instance, as the Bonneville was already a popular bike in its own right, and a special edition like the Silver Jubilee likely triggered enthusiasts into overdrive when it came to snatching them up. However, there’s rumors that there’s a few others still crated up and un-assembled like this one, so it may not be as unrepeatable as we think.
The sale of this auction will benefit the Chestnut Mountain Ranch, located in the mountains of West Virginia in support of the construction of new facilities. Another Silver Jubilee that was removed from its crate and lightly restored with one mile on the clock was a no-sale at $10K five years ago, so I do wonder where this Bonneville will end up. You certainly can’t drive it anywhere, as its value is locked into the mileage and storage conditions; so, are you prepared to spend $20K on a conversation piece?
Put it together and ride it…
God save the queen and all, but it’s not like it’s a holy grail. Maybe if it was a rollie free edition Vincent crated up??
Otherwise perfect waste of good machinery.
I don’t think I could ever just hold on to something like that for years and years waiting for the right time to sell. I would need to ride and ride and ride it.
My buddy (best man) has a ’70 Cuda 440 6-Pack 4 speed with <40,000 miles on it in his mom's garage. Red in black it is original and untouched. Was his first car in high school. He drove it hard and the motor needed a rebuild so he put a 383 4bbl from a super bee in it but never got it to run right. He decided to get something else to daily in and the car has sat there since about 1983. He still has the numbers matching 440 and carbs etc.
The car has dust, newspapers, cardboard, milk crates and crap piled on it, the one side toward the wall is mint, the other side has door dings all in the same area from his elderly parents and kids bikes.
He has a few other less valuable cars from his past in a similar state. Doesn't need the money. Won't sell, won't restore, just is happy knowing it is there.
A two-wheeled British version of the ’78 pace car ‘Vette. Even 35 years ago it was probably rarer to see them ridden than mothballed. I echo Spiderider. Assemble it and use it. Conserve and maintain it, but use it.
H&H cycle has been closed for many years, now it’s a 2-cycle repair shop, I’ll bet this bike was one of the last things they ordered before bankruptcy. It’s located in Eastlake Ohio, unless they moved it and didn’t go under. Cool find though !
Leave it as an ornament? Not a chance! Put it together and go for a ride–many rides. The ’77 models were really good bikes. Triumph pretty much got the vibration under control and the ‘Bonnie’ was a great bike to ride. This is a machine to enjoy….
Why waste your money. Twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money for a “brand new” forty year old bike. At a minimum, it will need the brakes gone through and new tires. There are low mileage originals out there for a fraction of the price, buy one of those and enjoy.
Steve R
I sure don’t disagree with you as far as what you get for the money. But all too often you have to get one where it’s available. No doubt you’ll have to deal with the brakes and there might be other issues as well. But it’s new and you aren’t buying someone else’s trouble. Assemble it, fix it and enjoy…
remember guys, it is for a charity. u can deduct it from your income taxes
I’d double check with an accountant on that one – I believe you can only deduct the amount greater than the reasonable true market value. So, if a credible appraiser says it’s worth $30,000 but you paid $25,000 you have zero deduction. If he says it’s a p.o.s. only worth $5,000 and you paid $25,000 then you have a $20,000 deduction – if you can still take such a deduction under the new tax plan. But remember, the appraiser has got to be credible and qualified as a forensic or expert witness.
My 78 Bonnie shook like a wet dog. Still loved it :)
Are we now down to paying double for mint in box?
Maybe if it was a Norton Manx or Matchless. I would be more interested in a Bonneville than this bike.
I had hoped this was a *PONTIAC* Bonneville, which would have been very impressive. But as a crate bike, one of many, and a top limit of $10K unsold for another one… eh.
Now if you could just get the Queen to sign the tank. She prefers BSA tho…
Best left as an ornament. I last rode one to check it for trade-in against a Sportster; don’t think I’ve ever ridden a bike that vibrated so much. Wobbly-needled speedo dancing about in its rubber cup, wide bars wobbling around in rubber mounts, eyeballs bouncing around in my head. I wouldn’t have it in a lucky bag.
I was spoiled though, my own bike was a 750SF Laverda. That’s the way to do it!
@Derek. There must have been something seriously wrong with your bike as i used to ride both of mine for 300 miles non stop (Apart from gas) and the only thing I noticed was a slight tingle in both hands and feet when arriving at my destination. The only time the speedo moved was when I would occasionally slow down from the indicated 100 mph as I kept thinking that the needle was stuck! Great bikes.
Buy it and ride it. It’s a motorcycle. Hanging into it as a collectible that will not really increase that much in value just makes it a big “Beanie Baby”.
Pig in a Poke – rust and corrosion grow and multiply when left unchecked – this may require as much work as a 100,000 mile example to make safely and reliably ride-able – but can the words Triumph and reliably ride-able ever be used in the same sentence without a “not” in there somewhere too??
I would build it and ride the rubber off it, but I wouldn’t pay that kind of money for it just because it’s still in the packing crate. Back in the late sixties I owned a 1956 Triumph Tiger 110 and somewhere on the water there is another 1956 T 110 on it’s way to me. This one is totally original apart from tyres and battery. Can’t wait for the great arrival day!
My 1956 Triumph Tiger 110 back in 1958. Check the copper tail pipes welded to the straight through silencers. The noise created on the overrun was incredible but the Fuzz could never catch me as they only rode BSA Golden Flash’s.
Just wondering what the nest egg would be if the purchase price was invested in 1977.
I have a ’77 Bonny I bought new. It’s on a stand undergoing a nut and bolt. “You know you’re getting old when something you bought new needs restoration.”
These things are the ugliest color combination
ever seen on a Bonneville.
It seems that every one of these is in “like new”
condition,because they were all bought as investments.
I had a ’78 Bonneville that I bought at a yard sale
for $500.It needed work,but the Red/Black tank was perfect.
I sold it for $1500 (unfinished).
Leave it in the wrapper & crate, but tell your wife that it would look wonderful in the living room as a conversation piece.
As soon as you take it out of the wrapper the price will decrease by at least $5000.00
Bob
I like “Limey’s”, but they’re nuts,,,
You think their bikes are nuts, they now arrest ppl for “hate speech”, I he only thing ‘free’ in the UK are the ppl that came as “refugees” ! Our ‘dad’ is a really messed up country. I wouldn’t own anything produced by the Brits !
Read the bit at the bottom about hate speech etc, and leave my country alone, every country has its problems, yours defiantly has, mine is superb compared to the good old USA, I’ve travelled the US, always good to get home, no offence to you other guys,
Had a chance to buy one at a motorcycle dealership near Fort Walton Beach FL back in summer of 78. Fully dressed out with matching fairing and saddlebags. IIRC they were asking $2500. had to pass on it as that was a lot of cash for a young Airman in the USAF back in those days.
I would rather forget the 70’s all together!
I think you guys are missing the point on price…this is a charity auction,
There’s obviously value here. The market is speaking and it says $20k or so is the value today. Buy it and keep it as is. It certainly is anything special, as a rider, so why screw up your investment. If you really want a 77 Bonneville, to ride, I’m sure there are many reasonably priced options out there, so you can have your cake and eat it too.