Triumph reveals ‘Elvis’ Bonneville
Pretty much everyone knows who Elvis Presley is, but not as many know of his passion for cars and even fewer know he was a motorcycle enthusiast, too. That enthusiasm saw Elvis own a broad range of makes and models over the years, but the King of Rock n Roll’s connection to Triumph is being celebrated with the release of a limited-edition T120 Bonneville. Finished with special graphics and colours inspired by Elvis’s career, the ‘T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition’ is due for Australian release shortly.
A History on Two Wheels
Back in 1955, Elvis used the advance from his first recording contract to buy himself a 125cc Harley Hummer, which was virtually a clone of the DKW RT125, like the BSA Bantam. Elvis’s next motorcycle was also a Harley, a 1956 KH (the forerunner to the Sportster), with an FLH Hydra-Glide purchased a year later.
However, in the straight-laced 1950s, Harleys didn’t have the best reputation amongst the American public, so Elvis’s manager and those looking to boost his career (and their own) steered him toward more “wholesome” brands, like Honda and Triumph.
Elvis was introduced to Triumphs in 1965, during a break from filming one of the many, many movies churned out over his career. While relaxing at the Bel Air home he used when working in Hollywood, Elvis’s friend Jerry Schilling (one of a group known as the ‘Memphis Mafia’) arrived on a new T120 Bonneville 650. Elvis took the big twin for a spin around the neighbourhood and reportedly liked it so much, he wanted one for himself and his other friends – seven bikes all up. The catch was Elvis wanted all seven that evening! Elvis’s then transportation manager, Alan Fortis, called on Bill Robertson & Sons, a Triumph dealer in North Hollywood who also happened to be one of the largest in Southern California. The dealership duly delivered seven brand-new Bonnevilles a few hours later, which Elvis and his friends spent the rest of the night riding around the Bel Air streets, only stopping when neighbours complained to the police!
Of those original Memphis Mafia Bonnevilles, none are confirmed to still be in existence today, although Triumph is interested in tracking them down and has turned up a few leads.
One Tribute to Elvis
Earlier this year, a 2023-model T120 Bonneville went to auction with Bonhams at their Amelia Island auction in Florida.
Originally unveiled at the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama and subsequently displayed at the ‘Presley Motors Automobile Museum’ within Elvis’s Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, the bike was paired with a custom Gibson guitar for the auction.
A unique paint job by award-winning artist J Daar featured silhouettes of Elvis on the tank, along with the King’s ‘TCB’ (Takin’ Care of Business) logo on the side covers. Red, silver and gold paint was inspired by the set of Elvis’s Comeback Special from 1968, with further inspiration coming from the Bonneville-based Desert Sled that featured in 1968’s Stay Away, Joe.
With funds from the auction going to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, the custom Bonneville and guitar combo sold for US$20,000 (AU$30,500 approx.).
The colours and details on that one-off have inspired what Triumph used for the T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition.
925 Tributes to Elvis
Taking cues from the 1968 Comeback Special, the limited-edition Bonneville features a Carnival Red fuel tank with an Aluminium Silver flash, edged with hand-painted gold coachlines. On top of the tank, ‘ELVIS’ gold lettering made up of tiny dots (mimicking the backdrop lights from the Comeback Special) features, along with a replica of Elvis’s signature in white. This graphic is repeated on the black side covers.
The TCB logo with lightning bolt is added to the front mudguard, which is painted silver with a hand-painted gold-edged red stripe. There’s a similar treatment on the rear mudguard, while the black seat features white piping.
To make the colours pop, there’s an abundance of chrome, including on the exhaust, which has retro-look peashooter silencers. Wheels and hubs get a bare metal finish, but most other features are as per the standard T120 Bonneville. Mechanically, the Elvis Limited Edition is unchanged from a stock T120 Bonneville, too.
Only 925 examples of the T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition will be produced for worldwide release, all of which are are identified by an individually numbered insert in the handlebar clamp that carries an additional reproduction of Elvis’s signature.
Each bike will be presented with a Sony gold disc, in an exclusive Elvis Presley and Triumph Motorcycles record sleeve, encasing a bespoke certificate of authenticity, signed by Triumph’s CEO Nick Bloor and Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ABG, Elvis Presley Enterprises.
“It’s been incredible to see the customer reaction to the custom Bonneville that raised so much for charity earlier this year, and our search for the Memphis Mafia Bonnevilles, which has unearthed wonderful glimpses into the past,” said Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud.
“With so much interest in the story so far, we’re confident our passionate customers will be thrilled at the chance to own this magnificent tribute to the biggest selling solo artist in history.”
Australian Availability
Australian release of the T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition is expected in July or August, with local pricing starting from $26,990 ride away. Only a small number of these special Bonnevilles will be coming to Australia, so Elvis fans – and Bonneville fans! – are advised to contact their Triumph dealer soon to ensure they don’t miss out.