The ‘street scrambler’ had been part of BSA’s line up since the ‘pre-unit’ days, when the ‘Spitfire’ name was first applied to this US-inspired model. When the concept was revived for the unitary construction range, the name ‘Spitfire Hornet’ was chosen for the new model, the 500cc version being called ‘Wasp’. The ‘Spitfire’ part of the designation was soon dropped, being applied exclusively to the new sports roadster, while the 650 street scrambler was re-christened ‘Firebird’ in 1967, by which time it had become a US-only model. The Firebird continued as the street scrambler when the BSA range was updated with the new oil-containing frame for 1971, and was - in effect - a Lightning equipped with raised handlebars, sump shield and high-level exhaust system. Without doubt one of the most handsome of these final BSAs, the Firebird perished along with its fellows when the BSA-Triumph Group collapsed in 1972. A relative rarity in the UK, most of the production run having been shipped to North America, today it is one of the most highly sought after of the ‘oil-in-frame’ models. This original Firebird is offered from the estate of its late owner, who for 40 years was a motorcycle engineer and dealer. Restored in 2005 and presented in excellent condition throughout having covered a mere 15,268 miles from new, the machine is offered with Swansea V5 registration document.
The ‘street scrambler’ had been part of BSA’s line up since the ‘pre-unit’ days, when the ‘Spitfire’ name was first applied to this US-inspired model. When the concept was revived for the unitary construction range, the name ‘Spitfire Hornet’ was chosen for the new model, the 500cc version being called ‘Wasp’. The ‘Spitfire’ part of the designation was soon dropped, being applied exclusively to the new sports roadster, while the 650 street scrambler was re-christened ‘Firebird’ in 1967, by which time it had become a US-only model. The Firebird continued as the street scrambler when the BSA range was updated with the new oil-containing frame for 1971, and was - in effect - a Lightning equipped with raised handlebars, sump shield and high-level exhaust system. Without doubt one of the most handsome of these final BSAs, the Firebird perished along with its fellows when the BSA-Triumph Group collapsed in 1972. A relative rarity in the UK, most of the production run having been shipped to North America, today it is one of the most highly sought after of the ‘oil-in-frame’ models. This original Firebird is offered from the estate of its late owner, who for 40 years was a motorcycle engineer and dealer. Restored in 2005 and presented in excellent condition throughout having covered a mere 15,268 miles from new, the machine is offered with Swansea V5 registration document.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
