1964 Suzuki T10 – Auction Car of the Week
October 17, 2021
No, we haven’t gone mad. Yes, we know this isn’t a car, but we also love bikes here at Car and Classic and our auction platform is wonderfully all-encompassing. Not only that but many of us here ride so we thought we would mix things up this week and feature this lovely 1964 Suzuki T10 250. With the current retro cafe racer trend still in full swing a lot of these early Japanese bikes are being scooped up and modded for that stripped down, 1950s style with all non-essential items removed and the addition of some drop handlebars and a one piece seat. It’s refreshing to see an original 60s Suzuki that still looks like it did when it came out of the factory. We’re not dissing that retro resurgence, we love cafe racers, flat trackers and bobbers – hell, we love all bikes, but there’s something honest and pure about this original T10.
Debuting in 1962 the two-stroke Suzuki T10 was the company’s first twin-cylinder bike to be sold in the US under the name ‘El-Camino’, not to be confused with that car/truck hybrid from Chevrolet – that’s an entirely different beast altogether. With a 250cc motor producing around 21bhp the little Suzuki was ideally suited for the daily commute and was a popular bike that was able to push on to almost 90mph. Not only that but it had some pretty advanced features for the time: oil injection, an electric start, hydraulic rear brake, enclosed chain and turn signals were considered luxury items for bikes in the early ’60s and so the T10 was actually pushing boundaries.
Structurally the T10 featured a pressed-steel frame, swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic front forks. It was a fairly contemporary look for the time and remains a classic aesthetic today. The gearbox is a four-speed sequential affair but with neutral above fourth rather than between first and second, as is habitually the case nowadays on street bikes.
As mentioned, this particular 1964 Suzuki T10 is all original and benefits from a recent strip down and refresh. With the engine, brakes and suspension all being rebuilt in the process it should be mechanically sound but the bike has been standing for a while and so would need a good going over. The twin carburettors may also need fettling to get the bike running at its best. It does come with a brand new battery and full service though so there shouldn’t be too much work for the spanners here.
The T10 has also been treated to some love bodywork-wise. Although by no means concourse and with patina to some areas of the original paintwork the bike has had a lot of pieces re-chromed, including the exhaust, side panels, and headlight surround. The gold Suzuki badges on the side-panels have also been gold-plated. Fancy. There are still a few areas that require tarting up to bring them in-line with the rest of the bike but it would make a nice little project for the future owner and leaves room for improvement if that’s your bag.
These early Japanese bikes are as popular now as they have ever been and this particularly charming little Suzuki T10 would make a great second bike or a retro classic to tinker with and enjoy. With a recent mechanical overhaul under its belt it could also easily be used every day should the need arise and would make a great alternative to more modern fare for short jaunts and pootling around town, no doubt drawing admiring glances along the way. So why not put in a bid before somebody potentially strips it down and turns it into something it arguably doesn’t need to be.
