Triumph Was Not British Owned.

[Yorick]

Hands up all who thought it was started by a Brit ?

Bettmann was born in Nuremberg in 1863 but emigrated to Coventry. With fellow German Mauritz Schulte, he started manufacturing Triumph-branded bicycles there in 1889 and then motorcycles from 1902 onwards. He bought Elm Bank in 1905 and lived in it until his death aged 88 in 1951. Bettmann, who had become a British citizen prior to the First World War, sold the Triumph motorcycle business to Ariel supremo Jack Sangster in 1936.

So there

[Mr. Dazzle]

Honestly....I wouldn't have been surprised if they started out making bacon slicers/socks/pianos /telephones/ whatever. Loads of these companies did before getting into vehicles. Ditto with ownership.

Of course, the modern Triumph is only a bit british too

[David]

Velocette were started ( as Veloce ltd) by the Guttemans, later anglicised to Goodman, also german.

[demographic]

Honestly....I wouldn't have been surprised if they started out making bacon slicers/socks/pianos /telephones/ whatever. Loads of these companies did before getting into vehicles. Ditto with ownership.

Of course, the modern Triumph is only a bit british too

Pretty much that^ although I'd add bicycles into the mix as well.
Same with many car manufacturers making planes during the second world war.

[JackyJoll]

Hands up all who thought it was started by a Brit ?

Bettmann was born in Nuremberg in 1863 but emigrated to Coventry. With fellow German Mauritz Schulte, he started manufacturing Triumph-branded bicycles there in 1889 and then motorcycles from 1902 onwards. He bought Elm Bank in 1905 and lived in it until his death aged 88 in 1951. Bettmann, who had become a British citizen prior to the First World War, sold the Triumph motorcycle business to Ariel supremo Jack Sangster in 1936.

So there

You just said it was owned by a British citizen, from before the First World War.

[JackyJoll]

Velocette were started ( as Veloce ltd) by the Guttemans, later anglicised to Goodman, also german.

Not only that- Velocette sounds like a French word!

[Nidge]

I think it’s fairly well known among Triumph enthusiasts. Certainly when it came up in the TOMCC quiz at a Christmas it was answered correctly by most.

I’ve just realised how tragic that all sounds

[JackyJoll]

I think it’s fairly well known among Triumph enthusiasts.

Generally, people either know who started Triumph, or they neither know nor care.

It’s not difficult for someone who is interested, to find out.

[The Spin Doctor]

I think it’s fairly well known among Triumph enthusiasts.

Generally, people either know who started Triumph, or they neither know nor care.

It’s not difficult for someone who is interested, to find out.

But sometimes it's nice to discover a factoid without having to dig it up.

I didn't know.

[Skub]

Was it Kawasaki who started life making tractors/Farm vehicles? Think Suzuki started out making Looms. Not the wiring type

Nope. Kawasaki's origins were in ships.

Maybe it was Harley?

[cheb]

Guzzi made agricultural vehicles, including a 3x3 IIRC.

I'll see if I can find a photo.

[cheb]

He's happy, but then who wouldn't be in that situation.

[Nobby]

Would you believe that Scott motorcycles were not Scottish.

[cheb]

Lamborghini started as tractor makers, as possibly did David Brown/Aston Martin.

[JackyJoll]

Would you believe that Scott motorcycles were not Scottish.

Nor were Black Douglases.

[JackyJoll]

Lamborghini started as tractor makers, as possibly did David Brown/Aston Martin.

I’m deaf now because of bloody Brown and his tractors!

[Yorick]

Would you believe that Scott motorcycles were not Scottish.

Made in Bradford

[David]

Was it Kawasaki who started life making tractors/Farm vehicles? Think Suzuki started out making Looms. Not the wiring type

Nope. Kawasaki's origins were in ships.

Maybe it was Harley?

Surely Harley still do?

[David]

Would you believe that Scott motorcycles were not Scottish.

Nor were Black Douglases.

They were made in Downend Brizzle....

[Mr. Dazzle]

Was it Kawasaki who started life making tractors/Farm vehicles? Think Suzuki started out making Looms. Not the wiring type

Nope. Kawasaki's origins were in ships.

Maybe it was Harley?

Surely Harley still do?

Kawasaki still make ships. They make all kinda stuff, Rolls-Royce (jet engines that is) had/have a ZX10R on a plinth in one of their offices, it was given as a gift to commemorate a partnership on jet engine parts.