The TD 135 MK I was introduced in 1961, utilising the same drive system as its elder brother, the legendary TD 124: E-50 motor, stepped pulley and combination belt/rim drive.
Thorens introduced the TD 135 MK II in 1965. It shared the same lacquered grey finish as its big brother, the legendary TD 124 MK II, and was a substantial improvement in engineering and execution over the Mark I version. Calibrated E-50 motors from the TD 124 Mark II were used exclusively, and a Thorens TP 14 tonearm with anti-skating replaced the earlier BTD 12s.