French actor Jean Paul Belmondo was surely the Gallic McQueen. Starring in several New Wave films of the sixties such as the classic, and pivotal, Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 Breathless, he managed to reinforce his ‘le cool’ demeanor by being seen riding ‘un moto’. Especially when it is ‘Une Triomph’!
The last day of the week: generally one looked forward to on Monday is traditionally the feminine one. Literally The goddess Frigg’s day; wife of Odin and queen of Asgard, highest goddess of the Æsir, the realm of Norse paganism. The romantic countries further south adopt Venus as their Friday gal; hence the French Vendredi.
Friday’s symbol is the same for the planet Venus and is the symbol for femininity: a circle with a cross underneath it. It is also used for the chemical element copper. Since mirrors used to be made of polished copper it has been suggested that the icon is a simple form for a hand holding a mirror.
Don’t say this blog doesn’t teach you anything!
These four motorcycles were sat at one corner of the car show: somewhat eclipsed by the British cars on display but in their own right can stand alone as classic vehicles of blighty. The first is a wonderfully sorted Triton, combination of Norton featherbed frame and Triumph pre-unit motor. The big Manx tank and clip-ons hints at both marques racing history.
Here’s a clean Norton Commando, great roadster of the seventies.
A contemporary Triumph next, this one a Thruxton… A machine within my reach: perhaps some day!
Lastly, but NOT leastly, the sublime Vincent Black Lightning 1953. Words escape me when looking upon motorcycle perfection… So let’s just look…
You gotta be dedicated to the marque with this one… A strong arm of Triumph. Good detailing and logo definition though. Skulls and roses with flame give it a fiery show. Me I’ll keep the logo on the jacket.
Don took his power and skills further afield: The Alps, Himalayas, Patagonia. Again putting up inspiring first ascents on difficult lines that stymied his contemporaries.
I’ve posted a similar image before, but here it is a a different light. A late fifties shot of Triumph Tiger pilot Whillans and pillion Chris Bonington setting off for an attempt on the notorious Eigerwand.
This is recreated in the eighties about the same time as yesterdays posts subject. Both travel worn and aged but still a twinkle in their eyes.
Here’s Don & Chris in the Alps at the Central Pillar of Freney, a severe rock face high up on the Mont Blanc massif.
Exploits took him to the South Face of Annapurna.
And Karakoram…
He developed mountaineering equipment: the expedition box tent, Whillans climbing harness. A background as a plumber not only strengthened forearms..
This image epitomizes his later years. An ’81 expedition to Gangotri – the ubiquitous monsoon season brolly strapped to his Adidas bag and approaching rake-thin yogi set the scene for one of Don’s tales:
Whillans rounded a bend and stood face to face with a mysterious Indian in a large turban. As was customary, the Indian held out his hand to receive a contribution. “Hmm, are you on some sort of sponsored walk?” asked Whillans and shook the surprised man’s hand.
What a place to sit with a brew, smoking a fag after a good day on the mountain… A deepening shadow in the Chamonix valley and the Aiguille Rouges deepening in color of an Alpine sunset.
Though my favorite tale is this one while participating in the 1972 European Everest Expedition. The atmosphere was not the best among the various nationalities, no one wanted to carry loads because everyone was saving himself for a possible summit attempt. The German climbers heard on the radio that England had lost a soccer game to Germany. The conversation went “It seems that we have beaten you in your national sport”, said a proud German to Don. After a minimal pause Don replied “Aye lad, and we’ve beaten you at yours, twice.”
This low mileage trumpet badg’d red colored Thruxton is for sale locally…. Need to win the pools!
Only one word for that: “Phoarr!” But I’m afraid my dentist and endodontrist skipped away with my fun-funds earlier this year….
Wartime morale poster that was rediscovered in secondhand bookshop Barter Books at the old railway station in Alnwick Northumberland has seen it spread across the globe as a modern day inspiration an motivational meme. Here its given the Triumph treatment…
… As a side note the original Ministry of Information posters printed in the hundreds of thousands were seen as somewhat divisive and patronizing by the working classes as a rallying war cry from the upper classes, of whom the civil servants were seen to be. Remember the Great War was a fresh memory being merely two decades previous to the outbreak in ’39.
ESSO not only had the tiger symbol but this cute couple each with a quiff shaped head of a golden oil drop.
Looks like they had fun on two wheels also!
“Happy Go Lively”
This company goes back to Rockefeller and his wealth machine Standard Oil (ess oh being the phonetic initials) Now known as Exxon in the US. They worked on future users with Playmobil toys, here a gas station complete with pumps, canopy and vehicles…
I like to look at some older images, and here is a Triumph ready for a top-up.
Perhaps the Oil Drop mans gal is called Ethel.
Here’s what Triumph should be working on next: an entry level moto for the masses. A modular engine that can be used in a commuter, roadster, cafe, trailie, racer and light tourer. It’s a type that has been around forever and in recent guise was developed by the ‘too smart for his own good’ Erik Buell with the beginner Blast.
Honda has a tasty thumper in the GB ‘Tourist Trophy’
Kawasaki’s KX is sublime in green…
And of course there is the highly desirable BSA Goldie… Just look at it! Perfection on two wheels…
So Triumph! We dare you! There’s even an old single from the ex wartime parts bin….
Thump away!
Whilst cruising the intraweb for images I came upon this piece of artwork. Great look but hey, I recognize that moto! It’s none other than my Bonnie version 1.0! Gulf colors ‘n’ all… It has received a good illustrative treatment and has been given an iconic Union Flag’d home. Love it!
I dug out the original for comparison. The wonky rubber tachometer mounting is even included…
Red headed motogirl go!
A branding is the essence of a company’s presence in the publics psyche and how it is communicated. Triumph aren’t just about a motorcycle or a logo with swoosh, but it’s also the story behind its name, the history, the icons connected to it, its performance, its recognition. Here’s a promotional piece by a great branding master Mike Salisbury of the British marque and one of the most recognizable riders who welcomed being seen and racing on a Triumph.
We’ve been watching Mad Men
A movie poster with a violent intent. However the color touched-up still have the Triumph riders in clean brown leather and pink. The bikes are rendered quite brightly too. Looks more like a jaunt into the countryside; I’m sure the biker gang must show up at some point and cause disruption to this bucolic Californian scene…
Here’s a studio shot of Anne Neyland and Steve Terrill who star as the main protagonists gang moll Terry and Randy.
They hare around the dusty Golden State on British iron like there’s no tomorrow, talk ‘sickle lingo, dodge the cops and drag-strip race for kicks. The studio riding shots with projected moving roadway are fun and the writing much to be desired but for a bit of B-Movie antics…
Watch it here:
Motorcycle Gang
A beat up naked forlorn frame from a mid seventies Triumph Trident 750 triple. On offer listen in the local Craigslist…
Given a good hone, feeding up with a generous diet of mechanical bits and bobs it can become a glossy coated steed…
After yesterdays graphic here’s a clean image of a moto a la wartime calendar gal. Its a hardtailed early seventies oil in frame bobber a choice look for a forties vision. Keepin’ the troops happy? Yessirree!
A winning marque! The Triumphs swoosh logo within its distinctive triangular patent badge.
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