1969 Dresda Triumph T140

Proprietor of Dresda Autos. Dave Degens of West Sussex. was one of the first special-builders to put the Triton into what might be termed 'limited production'. A marriage of Triumph power and Norton road holding was an immediate success with the Triton rightly regarded by enthusiasts as the British Sports Special.
Dave Degens' models were among the very best and he set out to prove it in the most convincing way possible - by racing them. Riding one of his own Dresda Tritons. Degens won the prestigious Barcelona 24-Hour Endurance Race in 1965. defeating many works-entered bikes in the process and went on to develop his own Featherbed-derived frame to take power units other than the original Triumph. Using the new Dresda frame and a 650cc Triumph engine. He won in Barcelona again in 1970 and wrapped around a four-cylinder Honda motor. Degens' chassis again demonstrated its superiority on the track when the Japauto-entered machine of won the 1972 Bol d'Or 24-hour race at Le Mans. Often found at the front of the pack. Degans could always be found 'mixing it up' with the likes of Phil Read. Derek Minter and Mike Hailwood usually around his favourite bend. Druids at Brands Hatch.
One of the most striking assets of the Dresda bikes is the eight-lever leading shoe design for the front brakes. Not only are they an astonishing piece of engineering but they work. and work well. Indeed after further direct discussions with the legendary Dave Degans himself. he has confirmed this bike to be one of his first five ever built. discernable by the upright frame member across the oil tank. the correct DOT dampers to the rear and correct handle bar levers for that period. The front mudguard appears to be a later edition but the bike. overall. is a correct Dresda bike according to its founder and builder.
Beautifully restored. little history exists about this example except to say that it arrived in full working into the collection and has a history of MoT test certificates. the most recent of which expired in June. 2009. Further details will follow after discussions with Dave Degans.