Cars
The Nostalgia of Forgotten Gods: Triumph (cars), UK, 1923-1984
Triumph, founded by Siegfried Bettmann, transitioned from successful motorcycles to cars in 1923. Despite early successes like the Super Seven and TR2, the brand struggled through the 1970s and ceased car production in 1984.
After moving from Germany to England Siegfried Bettmann founded New Triumph in Coventry, which introduced its first motorcycle with an internal combustion engine in 1902. The company quickly became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the UK, supplying motorcycles to the British army by 1914.
Bettmann’s ambitions extended beyond motorcycles. In 1923, Triumph produced its first cars, which were well-received but pricier than those from Morris and Austin. Triumph persevered and, in 1927, launched the Super Seven, a lightweight and reliable car that gained popularity and achieved success in competitions. Notably, Donald Healey, who later created Austin Healey, was among its drivers.
