Triumph

Year of foundation 1885-1984

The history of Triumph as an automobile company is a fascinating journey intertwined with that of other great names in British industry, with roots dating back long before car production.

The Origins: From Bicycles to Motorcycles
It all began in 1885, when a German named Siegfried Bettmann moved to London and founded "S. Bettmann & Co. Import Export Agency" to import bicycles from Europe. The following year, the trading name changed to "Triumph," and in 1887, Bettmann was joined by another German partner, Moritz Schulte. They began producing their own bicycles in Coventry, England, in 1889.

The shift to motors came in 1902, when "Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd." (the company's new name since 1897) began producing motorcycles. Initially, they used engines purchased from other companies, but their success was such that they soon began producing their own. By 1918, Triumph had become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the United Kingdom.

Entry into the Automobile Industry
In 1921, at the instigation of managing director Claude Holbrook, Triumph acquired the assets and headquarters of the Dawson Car Company. The goal was to enter the automobile market. The first car, the Triumph 10/20, was produced in 1923. It was a small car designed for them by Lea-Francis. In the following years, Triumph focused on the production of more luxurious and sporty cars, such as the Southern Cross and the Gloria.

Crisis and Resurgence after World War II
The Great Depression and economic difficulties brought the company to its knees. In 1936, the motorcycle business was separated and sold, and in 1939 the automobile division declared bankruptcy. Hopes for a recovery were nearly dashed by the German air raids of 1940, which destroyed most of the Coventry plant.

However, the Triumph name did not die. In 1945, the Standard Motor Company acquired the rights to the brand. The reconstituted company, "Triumph Motor Company (1945) Limited," began producing cars at Standard's Canley plant, also in Coventry. The first cars produced under this new management were the 1800 saloon and the Roadster, characterized by razor-edge styling.

The Golden Era of Sports Cars
In the 1950s and 1960s, Triumph became synonymous with accessible and fun sports cars, particularly with the TR (Triumph Roadster) series.

TR2 (1953): The beginning of a legend. A two-seater roadster that offered excellent performance at a competitive price.

TR3: An evolution of the TR2, famous for its "slashed" headlights and racing success.

TR4 (1961): The design was completely revised by Giovanni Michelotti. The TR4 and its subsequent evolutions (TR4A, TR5/250, TR6) consolidated Triumph's reputation as a manufacturer of successful sports cars.

Spitfire (1962): A small and agile roadster, also designed by Michelotti, which offered a more economical and maneuverable alternative to the TR series.

GT6: A coupé version of the Spitfire, with a six-cylinder engine.

More than just sports cars: Triumph also produced successful sedans such as the Triumph Herald (1959), another Michelotti creation, and the Triumph 2000 (1963).

The British Leyland Era and Decline
In 1960, the Standard Motor Company was acquired by Leyland Motors, which in turn became part of the industrial giant British Leyland (BL) in 1968. Under this new structure, Triumph was placed in the "Specialist Division" alongside Rover and Jaguar. The BL era was marked by strikes, quality issues, and complex management. Subsequent cars, such as the Triumph Stag (a four-seater sports coupé) and the TR7, were plagued by reliability issues. The TR7, in particular, had a futuristic design but failed to replicate the success of its predecessors.

The End of the Brand and Legacy
The last car to bear the Triumph name, the Acclaim, was produced in 1981 in collaboration with Honda. It was essentially a Honda Ballade produced under license. Production ended in 1984, the year the Triumph brand was withdrawn from the market.

Today, the rights to the Triumph brand are owned by BMW, which acquired them in 1994 with the purchase of the Rover Group. Although cars bearing the name are no longer produced, Triumph remains an icon of the British automotive industry, celebrated by enthusiasts around the world for its elegant and fun-to-drive sports cars.