1937
Triumph Speed Twin
Colours used
in this example.
Burgundy and Deep wine set the main colour direction. Softer background tones keep the motorcycle in focus.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Layer colour gently around the curves.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Use light layers and preserve the fine outlines.
Keep the background softer than the bike.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Pre-war Speed Twin profile
The Commons title says 1937 while its dealer source link says 1939. Use as a pre-war 5 T comparison.
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Early Speed Twin engine, right
Pre-war 5 T timing-side detail from the Yesterdays archive.
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Early Speed Twin engine, left
Pre-war 5 T primary-drive detail from the Yesterdays archive.
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles · Source · CC BY-SA 4.01939 Speed Twin engine, left
Later pre-war 5 T comparison showing the alloy cases and painted cylinder.
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles · Source · CC BY-SA 4.01939 Speed Twin engine, right
Opposite engine detail on the later pre-war 5 T.
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Original factory colours
The 1938-season catalogue specifies Amaranth dark red for the Speed Twin launched in 1937, with chrome tank areas and fine gold lining. Wheel rims also have Amaranth centres lined in gold.
- Amaranth dark redPainted bodywork and cycle parts
- Chrome appearanceTank areas and wheel rims; plated finish
- Gold liningFine tank and rim-centre lining
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
1937 is the launch year; the cited catalogue is the 1938 model-season publication. The swatch is approximate.
In the photographs
The pre-war photographs show deep maroon cycle parts, polished engine cases and chrome tank areas with fine gold lining. They include 1939 comparisons and a motorcycle with conflicting 1937/1939 source dates. The factory catalogue supports the colour family without authenticating these individual paint finishes.
- Deep maroon
- Chrome appearance
- Gold lining
Visual colour guide only. These are not additional factory paint options.
In the coloured example
The example uses a brighter wine red with a pale tank inset. The catalogue specifies Amaranth dark red plus chrome tank areas and gold lining. Treat the pale inset as a simplified metal effect, not cream factory paint.
Make the details count.
Follow the long mudguard arcs with burgundy strokes.
Keep the tank inset pale around the Triumph lettering.
Leave fine white spaces between the wheel spokes.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.