The fifties and sixties saw a refreshing style in the graphic arts as well as product design. Eames’, Saarinen, Nelson et al. Here is a threesome of Meriden product promotion in slick and swift handed period illustration.
The first is a pair of Trophy towed by a Ford Cortina (I recall the tail-light of the Mk 1 my Pa had in the mid 70’s)
A new (old) book from Ebay for my slowly expanding collection of motorcycle encyclopedia; this one adorned with a rosy red Speed Twin illustration. A nice survey of the worlds motos up to the late 70’s. It’ll be useful for determining those esoteric manufacturers from the early days of motor vehicles.
A Hi-Geared Triumph twin taken through it’s paces in skyward pose on a monumental hill climb; this is steep ground!
Fourth in the series so far: previously a cup of tea at the racetrack, ufo catching and supersonic jet wheel changing! Here we’re escaping angry native across a precarious tree trunk bridge. All part of a movie it seems.
Looks Cool lacin’ his boots up! Clean Triumph and Mike his Malamute hound sniffs around too.
A modern day Scrambler 900 given the RSD treatment for a Skate event in LA on October 2nd. A moto that evokes Big Air, Half Pipes and the like. Subtle upgrades for daily riding pleasure include: suspension, brakes, exhaust, air-intake. Shortened rear fender and recovered seat along with the tasty matt black, red pinstriping give it unique appearance.
The model range available to the riding masses in the U.S. 50 years ago, short sleeves seem the fashion of choice for the SoCal or FL cruiser bruisers of the day. The swingin; line-up included: T100 Tiger, TR5, T110, TR6, 5TA Speed Twin and the Jewel in the Crown: T120 Bonneville.
Race ’em on Sunday, sell ’em on Monday! That’s what used to be said; and it applies so appropriately to the Trident; beefy 3/4 litre bike that even to this day four decades on can give a grin to an unsuspecting rider.
A stunning image of three styalized Thunderbirds at blurry speed. Great airbrush work expressing the clean bodywork and lined Triumph badge of one of the finest 650’s from Meriden.
And the signifigance of 3x90x500? The 6T Thunderbird was launched publicly at Montlhéry near Paris where three standard production bikes were ridden around a circuit by a team of riders who between them averaged a speed of 92 mph (148 km/h) over a distance of 500 miles (800 km). All three machines were ridden to the circuit and back to the Meriden factory.
A couple of really sharp race roundel signs. One displaying unstoppable #9 Gary Nixon ‘flying’ on a dirt oval steed; the other is Eddie Mulder #12 (The Squirrel).
A Logo used for a couple of years (1932-33) on the early models was this globe variant. Here shown on what could be a 2/1 250cc or 6/1 650cc designed by Val Page.
Here is a stunning example of a NT500 from 1933, the worldly badge just visible. Remember this was the time of the SS100 Brough Superior ‘Superbikes’!
Bonneville, Thundebird, Speed Triple, Hinckley models, Speed Twin. A few of the sample you’d see when requesting a google image search for Triumph Motorcycles. Eye Candy All!
I enjoy looking at the various ways riding is captured with the image; one simple one is the ride-along shot. Here it’s taken with a little more angled cropping to achieve a dynamic view, effective with great early 70’s Triumph and bubble visored rider who is obviously intent on the open road ahead. Just need to find myself a photographer as well as driver to go alongside me to get some similar shots…
