TheTriumph Motor Companywas a British car and motor manufacturing company in the 19th and 20th centuries. The marque had its origins in 1885 whenSiegfried BettmannofNurembergformed S. Bettmann & Co. and started importing bicycles from Europe and selling them under his own trade name in London. The trade name became "Triumph" the following year, and in 1887 Bettmann was joined by a partner, Moritz Schulte, also from Germany. In 1889, the businessmen started producing their own bicycles inCoventry,England.
 | |
| Founded | 1885(as S. Bettmann & Co. Import Export Agency) |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Fate | Acquired byLeyland Motors(1960) marque retired (1984) marque acquired by BMW (1994) |
| Headquarters | Coventry,England, UK |
Key people | Siegfried Bettmann,Moritz Schulte (founders) |
| Parent | Standard MotorsLtd,Leyland MotorsLtd.,British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd,BL plc |
Triumph manufactured its first car in 1923.[1]The company was acquired byLeyland Motorsin 1960, ultimately becoming part of the giant conglomerateBritish Leyland(BL) in 1968, where the Triumph brand was absorbed into BL'sSpecialist Divisionalongside former Leyland stablematesRoverandJaguar.Triumph-badged vehicles were produced by BL until 1984 when the Triumph marque was retired, where it remained dormant under the auspices of BL's successor companyRover Group.The rights to the Triumph marque are currently owned byBMW,who purchased the Rover Group in 1994.
History
editTriumph Cycle Company (1897-1930)
editS. Bettman & Co. was renamed theTriumph Cycle Co. Ltd.in 1897.[2]In 1902 they began producingTriumph motorcyclesat their works in Coventry on Much Park Street. At first, they used engines purchased from another company, but the business prospered and they soon started making their own engines. In 1907 they purchased the premises of a spinning mill on Priory Street to develop a new factory. Major orders for the 550 cc Model H were placed by the British Army during the First World War; by 1918 Triumph had become Britain's largest manufacturer of motorcycles.
In 1921 Bettmann was persuaded by his general manager Claude Holbrook (1886–1979), who had joined the company in 1919, to acquire the assets and Clay Lane premises of theDawson Car Companyand start producing a car and 1.4-litre engine type named theTriumph 10/20designed for them byLea-Francis,to whom they paid a royalty for every car sold.[3]Production of this car and its immediate successors was moderate, but this changed with the introduction in 1927 of theTriumph Super 7,which sold in large numbers until 1934.
Triumph Motor Company (1930-1944)
edit
In 1930 the company's name was changed to Triumph Motor Company.[2]Holbrook realised he could not compete with the larger car companies for the mass market, so he decided to produce expensive cars, and introduced the modelsSouthern CrossandGloria.At first they used engines made by Triumph but designed byCoventry Climax,but in 1937 Triumph started to produce engines to their own designs byDonald Healey,who had become the company's experimental manager in 1934.
The company encountered financial problems however, and in 1936 the Triumph bicycle and motorcycle businesses were sold, the latter toJack SangsterofArielto becomeTriumph EngineeringCo Ltd.[2]Healey purchased anAlfa Romeo 8C2300 and developed a new car model with an Alfa inspiredstraight-8engine type named theTriumph Dolomite.[4]Three of these cars were made in 1934, one of which was used in competition and destroyed in an accident. The Dolomites manufactured from 1937 to 1940 were unrelated to these prototypes.
In July 1939 the Triumph Motor Company went into receivership and the factory, equipment and goodwill were offered for sale.[3]TheThos. W. Wardscrapping company purchased Triumph, and placed Healey in charge as general manager, but the effects of the Second World War again stopped the production of cars; the Holbrook Lane works were completely destroyed by bombing in 1940.[5]
Standard Triumph (1944-1960)
edit
In November 1944 what was left of the Triumph Motor Company and the Triumph trade name were bought by theStandard Motor Company[6]and a subsidiary "Triumph Motor Company (1945) Limited" was formed with production transferred to Standard's factory atCanley,on the outskirts of Coventry. Triumph's new owners had been supplying engines toJaguarand its predecessor company since 1938. After an argument between Standard-Triumph managing director,Sir John Black,andWilliam Lyons,the creator and owner of Jaguar, Black's objective in acquiring the rights to the name and the remnants of the bankrupt Triumph business was to build a car to compete with the soon to be launched post-war Jaguars.[7]
The pre-war Triumph models were not revived and in 1946 a new range of Triumphs was announced, starting with theTriumph Roadster.The Roadster had an aluminium body because steel was in short supply and surplus aluminium from aircraft production was plentiful. The same engine was used for the1800 Town and Countrysaloon, later named theTriumph Renown,which was notable for the styling chosen by Standard-Triumph's managing directorSir John Black.A similar style was also used for the subsequentTriumph Mayflowerlight saloon. All three of these models prominently sported the "globe" badge that had been used on pre-war models. When Sir John was forced to retire from the company this range of cars was discontinued without being replaced directly, sheet aluminium having by now become a prohibitively expensive alternative to sheet steel for most auto-industry purposes.
In the early 1950s it was decided to use the Triumph name for sporting cars and the Standard name for saloons and in 1953 theTriumph TR2was initiated, the first of theTRseries of sports cars that were produced until 1981. Curiously, the TR2 had a Standard badge on its front and the Triumph globe on its hubcaps.
Standard had been making a range of small saloons named theStandard Eightand Ten, and had been working on their replacements. The success of the TR range meant that Triumph was considered a more marketable name than Standard, and the new car was introduced in 1959 as theTriumph Herald.The last Standard car to be made in the UK was replaced in 1963 by theTriumph 2000.
Leyland and Beyond (1960-1984)
edit
Standard-Triumph was bought byLeyland MotorsLtd. in December 1960;Donald Stokesbecame chairman of the Standard-Triumph division in 1963. In 1967 Leyland Motor Corporation bought the Rover company and in 1968 Leyland Motor Corporation merged withBritish Motor Holdings(created out of the merger of theBritish Motor CorporationandJaguartwo years earlier) which resulted in the formation ofBritish Leyland Motor Corporation.Triumph set up an assembly facility inSpeke,Liverpool in 1960, gradually increasing the size of the company's most modern factory to the point that it could produce 100,000 cars per year. However, only a maximum of 30,000 cars was ever produced as the plant was never put into full production use, being used largely as an assembly plant.[8]During the 1960s and '70s Triumph sold a succession ofMichelotti-styled saloons and sports cars, including the advancedDolomite Sprint,which, in 1973, already had a 16-valve four-cylinder engine. It is alleged that many Triumphs of this era were unreliable, especially the2.5 PI(petrol injection) with its fuel injection problems. In Australia, the summer heat caused petrol in the electric fuel pump to vapourise, resulting in frequent malfunctions. Although the injection system had proven itself in international competition, it lacked altitude compensation to adjust the fuel mixture at altitudes greater than 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level. The Lucas system proved unpopular: Lucas did not want to develop it further, and Standard-Triumph dealers were reluctant to attend the associated factory and field-based training courses.
For most of its time under Leyland or BL ownership the Triumph marque belonged in the Specialist Division of the company, which went by the names ofRover Triumphand laterJaguar Rover Triumph,except for a brief period during the mid-1970s when all BL's car marques or brands were grouped together under the name of Leyland Cars. The only all-new Triumph model initiated asRover Triumphwas theTR7,which was in production successively at three factories that were closed:Speke,the poorly run Leyland-era Standard-Triumph works inLiverpool,[8]the original Standard works atCanley,Coventryand finally the Rover works inSolihull.Plans for an extended range based on the TR7, including a fastback variant codenamed "Lynx", were ended when the Speke factory closed. The four-cylinder TR7 and its short-lived eight-cylindered derivative theTR8were terminated when the road car section of the Solihull plant was closed (the plant continued to buildLand Rovers.)
Demise of Triumph Cars
edit
The last Triumph model was theAcclaim,introduced in 1981 and essentially a rebadgedHonda Balladebuilt under licence from the Japanese carmakerHonda,at the formerMorris Motorsworks inCowley,Oxford. The Triumph name disappeared over the summer of 1984, when the Acclaim was replaced by theRover 200,a rebadged version of Honda's next generationCivic/Ballademodel. This was the first phase of a rebranding of the Rover Group which would also see the Austin and Morris brands disappear by the end of the 1980s and the Rover brand dominate most of the company's products. The BL car division had by then been named theAustin Rover Group,which also retired theMorrismarque in 1984 as well as the Triumph brand.
Current ownership and possible revival
edit
The trademark is owned currently byBMW,which acquired Triumph when it bought theRover Groupin 1994. When BMW soldRover,it retained the Triumph andRileymarques. ThePhoenix Consortium,which bought Rover, attempted to buy the Triumph brand, but BMW refused, saying that if Phoenix insisted, it would break the deal. The Standard marque was transferred toBritish Motor HeritageLimited. The Standard marque is still retained by British Motor Heritage, who also have the licence to use the Triumph marque in relation to the sale of spares and service of the existing 'park' of Triumph cars.
Proposals were reportedly made in the early 2000s for BMW to market a cheaper, four cylinder, rear wheel drive car based on theZ4 Roadsterto rival theMazda MX-5.This new car was speculated to be branded as either anAustin-Healeyor a Triumph. Development of the car took place, although production did not commence.
In 2005, it was reported that BMW'sDesignworksstudio inCaliforniaproposed reviving the Triumph brand for use on the newMini Roadster,branding and styling it as a Triumph. The idea was rejected byMinidealers, averse to selling a second legacy brand and adding extrashowrooms.
In late 2007, the magazineAuto Express,after continued rumours that Triumph might be revived with BMW ownership, featured a story showing an image of what a new version of theTR4might look like. BMW did not comment officially on this.
In 2011, BMW applied for aEuropean trademarkto use the Triumph laurel wreath badge on vehicles, as well as a wide variety of merchandise. The application was published in late 2012, and further stirred rumours regarding the revival of the Triumph brand.[9]Piers Scott, head of corporate communications for BMW Australia stated in an interview withDrivethat:
"[The Triumph brand] is always there to be rejuvenated should we choose, I don't think people realise we have Triumph in our stable, but I struggle to see a place for it. I can't think of anything that is in the production timeframe that would not be wearing a BMW badge - be it 'i' or just BMW. "[10]
In 2023, automotive design houseMakkina(with permission from BMW) revealed the Triumph TR25 concept car for its 25th anniversary, as well as to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Triumph Cars itself. Based on theBMW i3S,the TR25 pays homage to theTriumph TR2 MVC575 'Jabbeke'of 1953, featuring many design cues from the record breaking car.[11]Speaking withAuto Express,Makkina director Michael Ani stated that the TR25 is intended as a concept, although the BMW platform and powertrain provide scope to bring the car to production should the opportunity arise.[12]
Triumph car models
editPre-war
edit| Model Name | Engine | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Triumph 10/20 | 1393 ccinline 4 | (1923–1925) |
| Triumph 13/35or 12.8 | 1872 cc inline 4 | (1927–1927) |
| Triumph 15/50or Fifteen | 2169 cc inline 4 | (1926–1930) |
| Triumph Super 7 | 747 cc inline 4 | (1928) |
| Triumph Super 8 | 832 cc inline 4 | (1930) |
| Triumph Super 9 | 1018 cc inline 4 | (1931) |
| Triumph Gloria10 | 1087 cc inline 4 | (1933) |
| Triumph 12-6 Scorpion | 1203 cc inline 6 | (1931–1933) |
| Triumph Southern Cross | 1087/1232 cc inline 4 | (1932) |
| Triumph Gloria('12' / '12') Four | 1232/1496 cc inline 4 | (1934–1937) |
| Triumph Gloria('6' / '6/16') Six | 1476/1991 cc inline 6 | (1934–1935) |
| Triumph Gloria14 | 1496/1767 cc inline 4 | (1937–1938) |
| Triumph Dolomite 8 | 1990 cc inline 8 (DOHC) | (1934) |
| Triumph Dolomite Vitesse 14 | 1767/1991 cc inline 4/6 | (1937–1938) |
| Triumph Vitesse | 1767/1991 cc inline 4/6 | (1935–1938) |
| Triumph Dolomite 14/60 | 1767/1991 cc inline 4/6 | (1937–1939) |
| Triumph Dolomite Roadster | 1767/1991 cc inline 4/6 | (1937–1939) |
| Triumph 12 | 1496 cc inline 4 | (1939–1940) |
Post war
edit| Model name | Engine | Year | Number built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph 1800 Saloon | 1776 cc inline 4 | 1946–1949 | |
| Triumph 1800 Roadster | 1776 cc inline 4 | 1946–1948 | |
| Triumph 2000 Saloon | 2088 cc inline 4 | 1949 | |
| Triumph 2000 Roadster | 2088 cc inline 4 | 1948–1949 | |
| Triumph Renown | 2088 cc inline 4 | 1949–1954 | |
| Triumph Mayflower | 1247 cc inline 4 | 1949–1953 | |
| Triumph 20TS | 2208 cc inline 4 | 1950 | 1 (prototype) |
| Triumph TR2 | 1991 cc inline 4 | 1953–1955 | 8,636[13] |
| Triumph TR3 | 1991 cc inline 4 | 1956–1958 | |
| Triumph TR3A | 1991 cc inline 4 | 1958–1962 | |
| Triumph TR3B | 2138 cc inline 4 | 1962 | |
| Triumph Italia | 1991 cc inline 4 | 1959–1962 | |
| Triumph TR4 | 2138 cc inline 4 | 1961–1965 | |
| Triumph TR4A | 2138 cc inline 4 | 1965–1967 | |
| Triumph TR5 | 2498 cc inline 6 | 1967–1968 | 1161 UK Spec |
| Triumph TR250 | 2498 cc inline 6 | 1967–1968 | |
| Triumph Dove GTR4 | 2138 cc inline 4 | 1961–1964 | |
| Triumph TR6 | 2498 cc inline 6 | 1969–1976 | |
| Triumph TR7 | 1998 cc inline 4 | 1975–1981 | |
| Triumph TR8 | 3528 cc V8 | 1978–1981 | |
| Triumph Spitfire4 (Spitfire Mk I) | 1147 cc inline 4 | 1962–1965 | 45,763[14] |
| Triumph SpitfireMk II | 1147 cc inline 4 | 1965–1967 | 37,409[14] |
| Triumph SpitfireMk III | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1967–1970 | 65,320[14] |
| Triumph SpitfireMk IV | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1970–1974 | 70,021[14] |
| Triumph Spitfire1500 | 1493 cc inline 4 | 1974–1980 | 95,829[14] |
| Triumph GT6 | 1998 cc inline 6 | 1966–1973 | 40,926[14] |
| Triumph Herald | 948 cc inline 4 | 1959–1964 | |
| Triumph Herald1200 | 1147 cc inline 4 | 1961–1970 | |
| Triumph Herald12/50 | 1147 cc inline 4 | 1963–1967 | |
| Triumph Herald13/60 | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1967–1971 | |
| Triumph Courier | 1147 cc inline 4 | 1962–1966 | |
| Triumph Vitesse6 | 1596 cc inline 6 | 1962–1966 | |
| Triumph Vitesse Sports 6(US version ofVitesse 6) | 1596 cc inline 6 | 1962–1964 | |
| Triumph Vitesse 2-litreandVitesse Mark 2 | 1998 cc inline 6 | 1966–1971 | |
| Triumph 1300 | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1965–1970 | |
| Triumph 1300TC | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1967–1970 | |
| Triumph 1500 | 1493 cc inline 4 | 1970–1973 | |
| Triumph 1500TC | 1493 cc inline 4 | 1973–1976 | |
| Triumph Stag | 2997 cc V8 | 1970–1977 | |
| Triumph Toledo | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1970–1978 | |
| Triumph Dolomite1300 | 1296 cc inline 4 | 1976–1980 | |
| Triumph Dolomite1500 | 1493 cc inline 4 | 1976–1980 | |
| Triumph Dolomite1500 HL | 1493 cc inline 4 | 1976–1980 | |
| Triumph Dolomite1850 | 1850 cc inline 4 | 1972–1976 | |
| Triumph Dolomite1850 HL | 1850 cc inline 4 | 1976–1980 | |
| Triumph DolomiteSprint | 1998 cc inline 4 | 1973–1980 | |
| Triumph 2000Mk1, Mk2, TC | 1998 cc inline 6 | 1963–1977 | |
| Triumph 2.5 PIMk1, Mk2 | 2498 cc inline 6 | 1968–1975 | |
| Triumph 2500 TC & S | 2498 cc inline 6 | 1974–1977 | |
| Triumph Acclaim | 1335 cc inline 4 | 1981–1984 | 133,625[15] |
Prototypes
editTriumph-based models
edit| Vale Special | (1932–1936) very low built two-seater based on Super 8 and Gloria |
| Swallow Doretti | (1954–1955) |
| Amphicar | (1961–1968) used a Triumph Herald engine |
| Bond EquipeGT | (1964–1967) |
| Susita 12 | (1968–1970) Made in Israel car, manufactured by Israeli Autocars Company LTD. The Susita 12 station wagon, and sedan (named Carmel), used the Triumph Herald 12/50 engine. |
| Susita 13/60 | (1970–1975) Made in Israel car, manufactured by Israeli Autocars Company LTD. Manufactured as 2 doors station wagon, sedan (named Carmel Ducas), and pick-up versions. Built on the Triumph Herald's chassis, and used the Herald 13/60 engine and gearbox. |
| Panther Rio | (1975–1977) based on theTriumph Dolomite |
| Fairthorpe Cars | |
| Saab 99 | usedTriumph slant-four enginebefore the parent companyScaniadeveloped itsown version of it. |
| Lotus Seven | (1960–1968) the Series 2 had many Standard Triumph parts. |
| Daimler SP250 | used various Triumph parts in its gearbox and suspension,[16]gearbox was a copy of a Triumph unit.[17] |
| Jensen-Healey | Mk. I used TR-6 front brakes. |
| MG Midget1500 | (1975–1979) Rubber-bumpered Midgets used the 1493cc L-4 and gearbox borrowed from the Triumph Spitfire. |
| Triumph Italia | (1959–1962) Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the TR3 chassis and mechanical components were supplied by the Triumph Motor Company in the United Kingdom, and built by Alfredo Vignale in Turin, Italy. |
Badging
editGlobe
Pre-war Triumphs carried a stylised Globe badge, usually on the radiator grille, and this was also used on the first three models produced under Standard's control.
Griffin
Standard had introduced a new badge in 1947 for their own models, first seen on theVanguard,a highly stylised motif based on the wings of aGriffin.[18]With the introduction of the TR2, a version of this badge appeared for the first time on the bonnet of a production Triumph, while the Globe continued to appear on the hubcaps. This same double-badging also appeared on the TR3 and TR4, the 2000 and the 1300.
However, the original Herald, Spitfire, Vitesse and GT6 models all carried only the Griffin badge on their bonnets/radiator grilles, with unadorned hubcaps.
The TR4A appeared with a Globe badge on the bonnet, apparently signifying a return to the original Triumph badging. This was short-lived, as a policy of Leylandisation mean that neither Globe nor Griffin appeared on subsequent models from the TR5 onwards, or on later versions of the Spitfire, GT6 and 2000.
Leyland
Leyland's corporate badge, a design based on the spokes of a wheel, appeared on the hubcaps of the 1500FWD, and next to the Triumph name on the metal identification labels fitted to the bootlids of various models. It was also used for the oil filler cap on the Dolomite Sprint engine. However it was never used as a bonnet badge, with models of that era such as the TR6 and the second generation 2000 carrying a badge simply stating the name "Triumph".
Stag
The Stag model carried a unique grille badge showing a highly stylised stag.
Laurel wreath
The last versions of the TR7 and Dolomite ranges received an all-new badge with the word Triumph surrounded by laurel wreaths, and this was also used for the Acclaim. It was carried on the bonnet and the steering wheel boss.
Films and TV series featuring Triumphs
edit- InAlfred Hitchcock Presents,TV Series, 1955–1962 (Triumph TR3A)
- InDr No,1962 James Bond film withSean Connery(Triumph Herald)
- InMy Favorite MartianTV Series 1963- (Later 2 different cars) with Bill Bixby and Ray Walston (Triumph TR4)
- InLe Gendarme de Saint-Tropez,in 1964 withLouis de FunèsandMichel Galabru(Triumph TR3A)
- In 1962,Go French!Triumph Herald 12/50, Triumph Herald 1200, withJean LefebvreorJean Carmet
- InThunderball(1965) is the fourth spy film in the James Bond series starring Sean Connery (Triumph Herald)
- InLes Aventures de Michel Vaillant,TV series, in 1967 (Triumph TR3A) – (Triumph TR4)
- InThe Great Holidays(movie), 1967 (Triumph TR4A – Triumph Herald Saloon) with Louis de Funès
- InFantômas contre Scotland Yard,Film, 1967 withJean Maraisor Louis de Funès (Triumph Herald 1200 Estate)
- InLes Globe-trotters,TV Series, 1966–1968 (Triumph TR3A)
- InThe Brain(1969) withJean-Paul Belmondo,Bourvil,David NivenorEli Wallach(Triumph TR4)
- InLe clan des siciliens,Film, 1969 withJean Gabin,Lino VenturaorAlain Delon(Triumph Herald 13/60)
- InDerrick,TV Series, 1974–1998 (Triumph TR4A) withHorst Tappert,Fritz Wepper
- In 1971Diamonds are Forever,James Bond 007, played by Sean Connery, travels toAmsterdamin theNetherlandsin a Triumph Stag.
- InStraw Dogs(1971) – Triumph Stag
- InThe Adventures of Rabbi Jacob(1973), (Triumph TR4) with Louis de Funès,Henri GuybetorPopeck
- InStarsky and Hutch,TV series, 1975–1979 (Triumph TR3A)
- InBergerac,TV series, 1981-1991 (Triumph Roadster)
- InScout toujours...',French comedy film byGérard Jugnotreleased in 1985 (Triumph TR4)
- InThree Men and a Baby1987,Tom Selleckdrives a (Triumph TR6)
- InThe Grimleys1999–2001, PE teacher Douglas "Dynamo" Digby, drives a Triumph Spitfire
- InTop Gear,TV series, 2002–2015 (Triumph Herald 1200)
- InFinal Destination 3(2006), Triumph Spitfire
- InDetectorists,TV series 2014-2022, Lance drives a Triumph TR7.
- InLegend,2015 film featuring Tom Hardy (Triumph Spitfire)
- InViva Las Vegas(1964) Ann-Margret drives a TR-3
- InEducating Rita,Michael Caine's character, Frank, drives a Triumph Herald
- In Fellini's filmLa Dolce Vita(1960) Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg drive a TR3A
- InBUtterfield 8,Elizabeth Taylor has a TR3A
- InThe End of the F***ing World,TV Series, (2017 - 2019) Triumph Acclaim
- InEmily in Paris,TV Series, (2020-) Camille drives a Triumph Spitfire 1500
- InThe Grand Tour'sfinal episodeOne for the Road(2024),James Maydrives a Triumph Stag.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Triumph celebrates 50 years of civilised motoring".Autocar:9. 3 May 1973.
- ^abcRobson, Graham (1972).The Story of Triumph Sports Cars.MRP.ISBN0-900549-23-8.
- ^abGeorgano, N.(2000).Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile.London: HMSO.ISBN1-57958-293-1.
- ^"Alfa Romeo 8C 2300".rickcarey.com.Archived fromthe originalon 27 August 2007.Retrieved16 August2007.
- ^Langworth, Richard M. (1973). "Trundling Along With Triumph – The story thus far...".Automobile Quarterly.11(2). Automobile Quarterly Inc.: 128–129.LCCN62-4005.
- ^Robson, Graham (1982).Triumph Spitfire and GT6.London: Osprey Publishing Ltd. p. 8.ISBN0-85045-452-2.
- ^"Goodbye Standard long live Triumph".Motor.15 May 1976. pp. 39–40.
- ^abMarren, Brian."Closure of the Triumph TR7 Factory in Speke, Merseyside, 1978: 'The Shape of Thingsto Come'?".Academia.edu. Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2013.Retrieved29 August2013.
- ^Holloway, Hilton (29 February 2012)."Triumph revival on again".Autocar.Retrieved4 December2023.
- ^"BMW to revive Triumph cars?".Drive.29 February 2012.Retrieved4 December2023.
- ^Holding, Joe (13 July 2023)."Please raise your door if you're a Triumph-inspired concept car".Top Gear.Retrieved5 October2023.
- ^Katsianis, Jordan (13 July 2023)."Triumph roadster to be reborn in form of TR25 concept".Auto Express.Retrieved5 October2023.
- ^Original Triumph TR, Bill Piggott,ISBN1-870979-24-9
- ^abcdefRobson, Graham (1982).Triumph Spitfire and GT6.Osprey Publishing. p. 187.ISBN0-85045-452-2.
- ^ "The Unofficial Austin-Rover Web Resource".Archived fromthe originalon 8 October 2007.
- ^Long, Brian (2008).Daimler V8 S.P. 250(2nd ed.). Veloce Publishing. p. 168.ISBN978-1-9047-8877-5.
Clearly based on a Triumph unit, the SP's manual gearbox is rather weak for such a powerful engine. First gear has a tendency to strip if misused by the driver, but most gearbox parts are replaceable with Triumph components.
- ^Robson, Graham; Bonds, Ray (2002)."Daimler SP250 ('Dart')".The Illustrated Directory of Sports Cars.MBI Publishing. p. 129.ISBN0-7603-1418-7.Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2015.
The new car, which Daimler wanted to call the 'Dart' until Dodge complained that it held the trade mark rights to that name, had a chassis and suspension layout which was unashamedly and admittedly copied from that of the Triumph TR3A (both cars were built in Coventry, England), as was the gearbox.
- ^The Standard Car ReviewJanuary 1947
Further reading
edit- Cole, Lance (2017). "Chapter 11: Michelotti: A Triumph of Design".The Classic Car Adventure: Driving Through History on the Road to Nostalgia.Barnsley, England:Pen & Sword.ISBN9781473896413.
External links
edit
- Coventry University—Triumph 1918 to 1939—interview with Sir Claude HolbrookArchived4 March 2016 at theWayback Machinetranscript available
- Standard Triumph Online ArchiveStandard Triumph Archive & Database
- The Pre-1940 Triumph Owners ClubFor all pre-1940 cars
- VINTAGE TRIUMPH REGISTERNorth American Triumph Club
- Triumph paint codes and colour examples
- International Triumph TR Registryfree database with Commission numbers and photographs of TR2-TR6s
- British Motor Heritage Ltd
- Club Triumph- the original British Triumph club
- Triumph Sports Car Club of South Africa – Cape Town branch– A South African club for Triumph owners & enthusiasts
- Catalogue of the Standard-Triumph archives[permanent dead link],held at theModern Records Centre, University of Warwick
- In-depth Triumph timeline chart 1959 to 1971