Interesting Old Triumph Ad Circa 1972 or so

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Triumph was desperate.

At the time, Triumph had been part of the new British Leyland conglomerate - a collection of unprofitable vehicle manufacturers merged together at the behest of the ruling Labour Party government. With untenable costs; and nationalized by 1975.

Morale was in the dumper. Quality control was an alien concept at any of the BL plants. While Honda and other Japanese companies were setting new heights of manufacturing quality.

MAYBE Triumph had a superior design. I had never looked closely at one. They certainly had the tradition.

It wasn't enough. The Honda was, hands down, the superior product. And the memory of Triumph in its nadir, still stays - I wouldn't trust a Bonneville, even though, by style and design, it appeals to me.

JustPassin, I didn't realize they were under the British Leyland umbrella at the time. That explains a lot. It's sad really, I liked British vehicles back in the day -- I lived the first 8 years of my life in England as an Air Force brat -- and loved many of their cars. It's just too bad they didn't invest anything to compete with modern products.

JustPassin, I didn't realize they were under the British Leyland umbrella at the time. That explains a lot. It's sad really, I liked British vehicles back in the day -- I lived the first 8 years of my life in England as an Air Force brat -- and loved many of their cars. It's just too bad they didn't invest anything to compete with modern products.
JustPassin, your history lesson is entertaining, but wrong. In Jan 1936 The Triumph Motor Company, prior to 1934 the Triumph Engineering Company, was split into two separate and independent companies. The Triumph Motorcycle (Engineering) Company and the Triumph Motor Company.

In 1960 The Triumph Motor Company, now known as Standard Triumph, came under the wing of Leyland Motors and after further mergers in 1969 became a part of British Leyland.

The Triumph Motorcycle Company was never associated, in any manner, with British Leyland. It is interesting to note that in 1950 the U.S. based Triumph Corporation was established in Maryland and more Triumph motorcycles were sold in the U.S. than all other countries combined. In 1951 Harley Davidson, whose products at that time were more suitable for boat anchors than transportation, complained to the Tariff Commision and demanded a 40% tarrif on Triumph motorcycles. The H-D submission failed and Triumph motorcycles, popularised by such as Brando and McQueen, and success in dirt track, speed trials and road racing, were selling well in the U.S. until swept away by the Japanese Tsunami.

Why were Japanese motorcycles so successful while the mainstream of the British motorcycle industry lapsed into decline and collapse? Easily answered and mirrored in other industries (and other countries) but a discussion for another place.

The history of Triumph in the UK is complex and entwined with the BSA, Norton, Villiers and Ariel companies. 1983 saw the demise of Triumph. Attempts at resurrection were attempted (think Bloor, Racing Spares, Hinkley etc). At NO stage was BL involved.

Cheers