Triumphant Resurection
John Bloor
In 1984 the Meriden factory is demolished and John Bloor sets up state of the art prototyping facility in Hinckley . In 1987 the first engine runs on test stand and an eleven acre site is purchased and work bregins on the production facility in Hinckley. The new Triumph range is launched at the 1990 Cologne Motor Cycle Show, six models are shown, powered by three- and four-cylinder DOHC engines with high horsepower and torque, all liquid-cooled: Trident 750 and 900; Trophy 900 and 1200; Daytona 750 and 1000. 2,390 machines are sold this year, 974 into the UK. Triumph's new factory is completed and the company has around 50 employees, producing about five bikes a day.

1993 sees the 10,000th motorcycle to leave the factory in July. The Daytona 750 and 1000 models were replaced by 900 and 1200, long stroke versions of the modular motor. At the 1994 Cologne show Triumph launches the much-awaited Thunderbird with its nostalgia styling and detuned (70bhp) engine. The Super III was also released, mostly known as a 'go faster' Daytona 900, with plenty of carbon fibre ancillaries, high compression motor with hot cams making 115ps. The Tiger is introduced: a new direction for Triumph and the first use of a plastic tank on a Triumph, plus the most sophisticated suspension on any Triumph ever.

1996 and a black Thunderbird is the 30,000th Triumph made, delivered to Australia. Work starts on a new production facility designed to take production to 50,000 units per year. The following year sees the 50,000th bike. 1999 sees the launch of a mid range sports bike-the TT600 and the next year marks the return of the name Bonneville to a Triumph product. The new Bonneville retains the classic lines of the original, but has a modern 900cc engine. 2002 is the centenary year for Triumph. In 2004 they introduce the Rocket Three, a bike with a huge 2.3 litre engine.

 

Rocket Three