TRIUMPH
41 entries
One British name, two famous makers: Triumph cars and Triumph motorcycles, both growing out of a bicycle business.
- Origins
- 1885, S. Bettmann & Co., London
- First car
- 1923
- Cars ended
- 1984, marque retired by British Leyland’s successor
- Motorcycles today
- Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, founded 1983 by John Bloor
The name goes back to 1885, when Siegfried Bettmann began importing bicycles to London. Triumph made its first car in 1923, was bought by Leyland Motors in 1960 and became part of British Leyland in 1968; Triumph-badged vehicles were produced until 1984.
Motorcycles were built at Coventry from 1902. After the old company went into receivership in 1983, John Bloor bought the name and founded today’s Triumph Motorcycles, the largest UK-owned motorcycle maker.
- 1885Bettmann starts importing bicycles to London
- 1902First Triumph motorcycles built in Coventry
- 1923First Triumph car
- 1960Cars: acquired by Leyland Motors
- 1983Motorcycles: John Bloor founds the new company
