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Until recently it was
thought that only one featured vehicle from
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) survived today –
the Hopkirks' red 1964 Austin Mini Super Deluxe Mk I, registration BAP
245B, which remains licenced and presumably on the road (May 2022).
Previously this car
had been owned by a fan of Randall and Hopkirk, John
Kelly, but following his sad death several years
ago, its exact whereabouts have been unknown. |
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However, it has recently come to light that
another Randall and Hopkirk vehicle has also
made it into the 21st century – the 1963 Triumph
Tiger Cub T20, registration FTC96B.
This motorcycle
was seen in the third
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode produced,
For the Girl Who Has Everything, in which it
was driven by ghost hunter James McAllister.
The role was played by
the popular character actor Freddie Jones, though
for the St. John's Wood filming in which FTC96B
appeared a stunt double was employed to ride it. |
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Image © ITV
Studios, 1968 |
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The T20 Tiger Cub - A Little
Background...
The first T20 Tiger Cub (1954-1956)
was derived from the 150 cc Triumph T15 Terrier (1953-1956) with
the same frame and forks. This earlier version of the Cub used the
Terrier's plunger rear suspension frame, but from 1957 this was
updated to a more-modern pattern of rear swinging-arm with twin
suspension units. The ignition points were positioned in a
'distributor'-type device on the crankcase behind the cylinder. A
later development in 1963 was to site the points at a more
conventional location on the end of the camshaft, accessed via a
chrome cover below the base of the cylinder. The last model made
was the T20 Super Cub, which, for economy of production cost, used
a basic frame and other parts common to the BSA Bantam D10
including larger diameter wheels with full-width hubs. Launched in
November 1966, it was discontinued in 1968, being briefly replaced
by the 250cc TR25W 'Trophy', based on BSA's B25 'Starfire'.
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Eagle-eyed viewers
will probably have picked up on the fact that Jones
rides two Tiger Cub T20s in the episode, identical
models but with different registration plates, no
doubt due to the same bike not being available for
both filming dates:
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1963 Triumph
Tiger Cub T20
Registration FTC96B
Driven by James McAllister |
Seen during the
sequence filmed in St John's Wood High Street
(outside Jeff's apartment) |
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1963 Triumph
Tiger Cub T20
Registration HYV528C
Driven by James McAllister |
Seen during the
sequence filmed in Denham village (outside The
Buttery tea rooms) |
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Images © ITV Studios, 1968 |
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The bike seen at The
Buttery, registration HYV528C, is no longer
registered at the DVLA and is presumed scrapped.
The other, which
featured in the St. John's Wood filming session,
FTC96B, was purchased by motorcycle enthusiast Bruce
Honey in the 1980s, at which point it was not
roadworthy - indeed, Bruce recalls that it was in
pieces and the purchase was originally with a view
to using the bike for spare parts for another Tiger
Cub that he planned to restore. However, Bruce soon
realised that it was in good enough condition to
restore as a working machine.
FTC96B as purchased, complete with rear registration
plate
Image © Bruce Honey, 2019
The front and rear
number plates were present on the bike at the time
of purchase. Motorcycles carry a Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN) just like cars do, and the
chassis number present was indeed registered to
FTC96B. Bruce believes that the front registration
plate is actually the original one seen in the
episode; he removed it and stored it away. The
bike's rear plate was in poor condition and is now
displayed on the wall of Bruce's workshop.
Bruce's Tiger Cub FTC96B prior to restoration
Image © Bruce Honey, 2019
But how did Bruce make
the link between the bike he had and its Randall
and Hopkirk heritage? Bruce explains: "I have
always been a fan of Randall and Hopkirk
(Deceased). We were watching episode three, and
when the Cub stopped outside Jeff's, I said to my
wife, 'I’m sure I have that bike!'"
In recent years, he
has restored it as close as possible to its
original condition, a process which took two years
from start to finish. Fortunately, spare parts for
this model are relatively easy to obtain, meaning
that the repairs are authentic and sympathetic.
The Randall and
Hopkirk Tiger Cub was displayed for the first
time at The Stoke Row Rally, a vintage steam and
motor show on Saturday and Sunday 8th/9th June 2019.
The bike is now fully working, though, as Bruce says
that it still needs work, in part to improve the
paintwork but also to remedy "the usual snags that
come up with a bike that's been off the road for so
long – carb and ignition need fine tuning."
FTC96B on display at
its first show, The Stoke Row Rally
Image © Bruce Honey, 2019
It is almost certain
that FTC96B appeared in series other than Randall
and Hopkirk (Deceased).
If you've spotted
any additional screen appearances of this
motorcycle,
please drop us a line and we'll
list them here
Randall and Hopkirk
(Declassified) is very grateful to Bruce Honey
for contacting the site about his Tiger Cub, and for
sharing photos and details with fans of Randall
and Hopkirk (Deceased).
Feature by Alan Hayes with thanks to
Bruce Honey
Photos by Bruce Honey
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