Great Escape tribute bike auctioned in UK

Motorcycle fans will already know that the famous jump from the classic movie, 'The Great Escape' was performed on a Triumph, not a German motorcycle, and that the rider was not Steve McQueen, but professional stuntman, Bud Ekins. Irrespective of that, the bike, the jump and the movie are icons that have been reproduced countless times since The Great Escape debuted in 1963.

In 2009, Peter Spowage conceived the idea of a motorcycle ride through Europe to commemorate the 50 RAF personnel executed after the actual events that inspired the movie, while also raising money for the UK-based 'Help for Heroes' charity, which supports former armed services personnel. As the ride would be going through parts of Germany made famous by the real events of The Great Escape, as well as locations used in filming of the movie, doing the ride on a bike in the style of McQueen's famous mount seemed a natural. Triumph, UK and Kent-based company Laguna Motorcycles got on board with Stowage's idea, building a special 'Great Escape Replica' around a 2011 model Triumph Bonneville T100.

The bike was modified to incorporate Hagon shock absorbers, wider handlebars, concealed indicators, modified mudguards, military drab paintwork, solo seat and Triumph performance exhaust pipes to give it the right look and sound. Wearing an appropriate 'WWII POW' licence plate, the Great Escape Replica was accompanied by six other Triumphs from the factory's current range for the ride, which was dubbed 'Great Escape 2'.

In June, 2011, the group departed on the 3,200-mile ride, which took in twelve European countries and visited significant sites, like the town of Fussen in Bavaria where McQueen's famous 'wire jump' was actually filmed. 'WWII POW' was taken to other easily recognisable settings and photographed in poses similar to those of Steve on the bike during the making of the film. It was photographed in many other historical locations, and featured on UK TV and in national newspapers and magazines.

Upon its sale at Bonhams in December, the one-off Triumph made £11,500 (AU$17,620 approx.), with all proceeds going to UK Armed Services charities.

Images courtesy of Bonhams, UK.