Apologies to Honda's mighty CB750 Four, but the first modern multi-cylinder superbike was actually the Triumph Trident/BSA Rocket III, similar designs from the same company. In specification the three-cylinder 750cc engine in the bikes may have seemed like an example of parts-bin engineering, basically a Triumph 500 twin with an extra cylinder added, but the result was magical. In race trim, the triple won all over the world, including a dominating 1-2-3 sweep at the 1971 Daytona 200, accompanied by its unique wailing exhaust note.

The 1974 Trident on offer here, a matching-numbers 5-speed, has been restored, with most components rebuilt or replaced as needed. The lower end, rear sprocket and seat are original to the bike. For reliability an electronic ignition has been fitted.