Motorcycle specifications Triumph Prototype 1901 1901 Glory in the making

The Triumph adventure began in 1885, with the production of bicycles. Young Siegfried Bettman moved to England and began producing bicycles. A few years later, the brand changed gear with the construction of its first motorcycle - a prototype, which recently resurfaced thanks to a stroke of luck. Triumph explains this stroke of luck:

A timeless motorcycle

A stunning historical find, discovered and restored by the great vintage Triumph collector Dick Shepherd, the 1901 prototype rewrites the history books, adding a whole new chapter before official Triumph sales from 1902 onwards.

Long hinted at and referenced in advertisements and reviews published in 1901, this first Triumph prototype was developed from a standard Triumph bike, with an engine supplied by Belgian manufacturer Minerva, in order to generate interest and gauge public demand for a Triumph motorcycle.

Dick Shepherd said, " Having been contacted by a friend of a collector, sadly recently deceased, to appraise an old Triumph, I was incredibly excited to discover that the bike they had had some unique details not present on early production Triumphs. In addition to the bike, the collector had also received a letter from Triumph, dated 1937, which described the bike's unique origins and provided key details. "

" With an engine number consistent with references in Minerva's engine records of an early Triumph engagement in 1901, the historical significance of this bike became incredibly clear. "

" As a long-time enthusiast of the history and achievements of this incredible British marque, to have discovered this incredible survivor and restored it to the glorious condition it would have been in when first exhibited in 1901, gave me immense satisfaction. "

To the museum and posterity

First unveiled at the British Motorcycle Live show, the 1901 prototype was presented at a dedicated event at Triumph's Factory Visitor Experience on December 14, 2001, where the machine was ridden in public for the very first time in over 100 years.

This incredible historic motorcycle is now on display, alongside Hinckley's millionth Triumph, in a new exhibition specially created for the 120th anniversary, housed within Triumph's Factory Visitor Experience.

M.B / Triumph - Manufacturer's photos