Note - For a full history see: -
1) 'Triumph Cars - The Complete 75 Year
History' by Robson & Langworth, first published by Motor Racing
Publications 1979.
2) 'The Story of Triumph Sports Cars' by
Robson, published by Motor Racing Publications 1972.
3) 'Donald Healey - My World of Cars' by
Garnier & Healey, published by Patrick Stephens Ltd. 1989.
The Triumph Motor Company was a logical
development of the cycle and motorcycle business started in the late
nineteenth century. The first model produced from the Coventry based
premises was the 10/20 announced in April 1923. It was their only
car fitted with mechanical brakes and all subsequent models had
hydraulic brakes; indeed Triumph was the first British manufacturer
to fit these as standard equipment. The 10/20 model was followed by
the 13/35 and the 15/50 that was last made in 1930. Today only four
examples of these early models are known to have survived.
In 1927 the Super 7 was announced. This was to
become the Company’s most successful model; about 18,000 were made
up until 1934 and were produced in many body variations including
its successor, the Super 8 (same engine). In the early '30's the
Scorpion model represented the fashion for ‘small sixes’. This led
to the Super 9, which was the first Triumph to be fitted with a
Coventry Climax engine. This power unit was used in various sizes in
all models up to and including the '36 range.
In late 1933 Donald Healey joined the Company
and this coincided with a change in direction. The successful 7's
and 8's had enabled the Company to weather the depression and the
aim now was to produce larger more sporting vehicles. The result was
the Gloria series. This ran from 1933 to 1937 with around 30
variations based on three chassis lengths, four engine sizes,
standard or Vitesse tuned and various bodies. Success in
competitions such as the Monte-Carlo and Alpine Rallies helped
promote the new range. Well known models include the Monte-Carlo and
Southern Cross sports cars, the Speed and Vitesse Tourers and the
Drop-head Coupes by Cross & Ellis. All these cars were built to a
high standard of craftsmanship and comprehensively equipped.
The Company constructed the coach-built bodies
themselves from designs by Frank Warner and Walter Belgrove. (D.H.C's.
were built by Cross & Ellis, Avon and Salmons.). The main features
of the Gloria range included a robust crossed-braced and underslung
chassis; Lockheed hydraulic brakes; centralised lubrication system;
freewheel; leather upholstery; sliding roofs; two colour paint
schemes and wire wheels.
For the late '30's the concept of travel
changed again. The sportier image was played down and with the
exception of the introduction of the Dolomite Roadster in mid 1938,
larger faster luxury saloons were developed. These were powered by
an o.h.v. engine built by the Company which came in three sizes. The
models were Vitesse and Dolomite, the latter having advanced
front-end styling. Rare versions include the Continental and the
Royal, both 2-litre saloons.
Triumph finances were never very healthy.
Against a background of too many models the motor cycle business was
sold off (probably unwisely) in 1936. In the last years of the
decade as war loomed, sales declined and competition was fierce,
especially after the appearance of Jaguar. The Company seemed to
loose its market niche and in June 1939 the Official Receiver was
called in. The Company was sold on 1st September 1939 to Thomas Ward
& Co., a Sheffield steel business. It is possible that they oversaw
the completion of the last few New Twelve saloons, the Company's
last model announced in the spring of '39. Ward’s then operated what
today we would call an 'asset stripping' policy. A year later, what
they had not sold was destroyed by the wartime blitz on Coventry. At
the end of the war all that remained of the old company was the name
and goodwill. Sir John Black, Chairman of the Standard Motor
Company, purchased this on the first day of 1945.
The Club
The first Club for our cars was The Dolomite
Association formed in the mid 1950’s but by 1959 it had folded.
In 1960 two enthusiasts, one in Birmingham and
the other in Manchester, quite unknown to each other, began making
informal contact with owners of pre-war Triumphs in their local
areas. Theses two groups amalgamated in 1961 to become known as the
Pre-1940 Triumph Owners Club. The main aim was to form a Register of
all vehicles built by the Triumph Motor Company between 1923 and
1940. In addition, some specials, notably the Vale Special, were
included because they used many Triumph components. The other chief
objectives were to encourage the preservation, maintenance and use
of these particular cars. These aims of course still hold true
today.
Information and spare parts were the things
that everyone joining the Club required. Both were very scarce due
to the fact that all official documentation was lost during the war
and the spare parts department was completely destroyed. In these
two areas the Club now provides a unique service based on
information and material gathered over 40 years. More details appear
under the relative headings later in this brochure.
For many years the total membership level has
been about 200 which includes around 30 overseas enthusiasts. Many
Triumphs were exported to Australia and New Zealand and there is a
strong contingent there. A recent development has been the
popularity of our cars in Holland and Belgium. We have or have had
members in most countries, but in general real Triumphs are almost
unknown on the continent outside the Low Countries.
In recent years the Club has become affiliated
to the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and is also a
member of the Triumph Forum, an informal association of the majority
of Triumph Clubs. Both these activities produce additional benefits
for our Club Members.
The Committee
The Club is run by an elected Committee which
consists of three officials: Chairman, Secretary and
Treasurer/Membership Secretary; and other elected officers including
Registrar, Spares Officer, Re-manufacturing Officer, Librarian,
Magazine Editor, Events Co-ordinator, Regalia Officer and Northern
Representative plus other members without portfolio.
The Register
The Register contains details of around 1300
cars of which only about 500 are known to survive. From data
supplied by Club members and other sources it has been possible to
list all the models made (there were over 60 and 24 were listed for
1935 alone!), and by using chassis numbers, establish rough
estimates for the production runs of each major model, if not every
variation. The current estimate of the total production over the
16-year period is 35,000 cars. Compare this with 140,000 Austin 7's
alone, in almost the same time span. Triumph was certainly a small
volume manufacturer. The register can help with identification, the
history of your model and actual car if known. The Club records can
also assist in getting your car registered with the D.V.L.C. in the
U.K. if necessary.
The Library
The object of the library is to supply
technical and descriptive material for all models. The library has a
collection of handbooks, spare parts catalogues and Company sales
brochures. Because of their rarity and value, they are not loaned
out but can be photocopied if requested, as can all technical and
other data culled from contemporary sources. Other items include
wiring diagrams, lubrication charts and data from makers such as
Lucas and S.U. for most models. There is also a good collection of
photos of members’ cars. A full list of library material and
photocopying charges is sent to each new member. Occasionally
duplicate material, such as Drivers Handbooks and Spare Parts
Catalogues are offered for sale.
The Spares Section
As mentioned above, no company-held spares
survived the war. Some stocks remained at the larger distributors
such as Basil Roy's and Newham's in London. The Club purchased what
remained of these in the early '60s. Parts pertaining to our cars
are bought by the Spares Section at autojumbles although this source
has now almost dried up. Certain parts, especially those common to
several models, are therefore batch manufactured by the Club against
advance orders and deposits. These include water pumps and other
aluminium castings, suspension pins and bushes, gaskets, rubber
parts, handles, pressure plates and friction discs. However a major
problem is that as we cater for so many models which only exist in
low numbers, it is sometimes difficult to justify the high cost for
small runs of re-manufactured items.
Where the Club cannot supply parts direct, the
Spares Officer holds the addresses of stockists and manufacturers
from where certain items can be obtained. Some parts that were made
for post war cars, even current models, are exact or near
equivalents to the original design.
The Club also holds a good selection of second
hand parts obtained from rescued scrap vehicles, which can often be
refurbished or used as patterns to make new one-off items.
All spares held by the Club, whether new or
second-hand, feature in a Spares List, which is regularly updated
and issued to members.
Regalia
The Club has a good selection of regalia for
sale with items ranging from car badges, key fobs, lapel badges, tax
disc holders, magazine binders, blazer badges, polo and sweat
shirts, caps, mugs etc.
The Magazine
This is the main link between Members. It is
issued six times a year in A5 format and is usually at least 16
pages in length. It contains letters and adverts from Members, news
of events past and future, technical and descriptive articles,
spares and library news etc. The publication and distribution of the
Magazine consumes the bulk of the Club's funds and it is in the
Members interests to use and contribute to it as much as possible.
Local Meetings and
Event
Where possible these are held on a regular
basis. However because of the wide scatter of a small membership,
local meetings are few and far between but when they do occur they
are announced in the magazine. Area Secretaries are always welcomed
and encouraged by the Club to organise displays at local events and
meetings.
National Meetings and
Events
On a Sunday in the middle of each year, the
Club’s National Annual Rally is held at some suitable venue in the
UK. An Annual Dinner usually takes place on the previous evening. At
this event usually between 30 and 40 cars compete for various
trophies and around a third of the U.K membership attends. This
event has always been very successful. To coincide with Annual
Rally, the Club’s Annual General Meeting is also held to conduct the
formal business necessary for the running of the Club.
In addition the Club organises stands at around
half a dozen selected events within the UK each year, sometimes
carried out jointly with other early Triumph clubs, to maximise
publicity for our cars within the confines of a relatively small
membership and limited budget. Other annual events are also arranged
such as a trip with our cars to France and a Christmas Dinner.
