Triumph Cardinal

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Triumph T160P Cardinal

In 1975, Triumph made a police spec version of a T160 750cc Trident Rocket 3. This was a T160 with low compression pistons and special police equipment. Originally it was just called that - A T160 Police spec.

They were some of the last triples to roll out of the Small Heath at the end of 1975. Originally a batch destined for Australia and the US were diverted to meet a Saudi Arabia police contract. About 450 were delivered, but they cancelled the order part way through. They overheated and weren't liked, so were abused and did little mileage.

The cancellation left 130 bikes in the UK.

Triumph decided to civilianise them to T160 Spec. and sell them with their screen, crask bars, spot lights, air horns, single seat and radio rack, retaining the white paint. This 'new' specification model was named the Cardinal in 1977. A number of machines have been brought back from Saudi and restored, mainly as T160's.