Sep

22

Triumph

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Triumph Motor Company began in Coventry, England in the late 1880's and started by making bicycles. From bicycles, Triumph branched into the Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd, making motor cycles, and by 1918, became Britain's largest motor bike maker. 

The first auto Triumph produced was the Triumph 10/20, a 1.4 litre model, in 1921. In 1930, Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd. changed it's name to the Triumph Motor Company to reflect it's production of both cycles and autos. With Britain in the throws of WWII, Triumph struggled financially and in 1944, was purchased by the Standard Motor Company, but a subsidiary still retaining the Triumph name produced a new fleet of cars that were unlike it's predecessors.

The Triumph TR2 was launched in 1953 and was the first in a series that lasted until 1981, ending with the TR8. The last vehicle Triumph made was the Acclaim in that same year. In 1960, the company was purchased by Leyland Motors and was operated under the names of Rover Triumph, and later Jaguar Rover Triumph.

BMW bought, then sold the Rover group, but kept the Triumph trademark, and there has been unofficial speculation as of late that we may soon see a new TR4 role off the line.

Triumph TR: TR2 to 6: The last of the traditional sports cars (Haynes Great Car)