Triumph Logo PNG
The Triumph logo suggests that the brand’s motorcycles can carry riders over the abyss, cope with the most difficult road conditions, and pass where other vehicles cannot.
Triumph’s history begins in 1883, when Siegfried Bettmann arrived in Coventry from Nuremberg and opened an import business selling German sewing machines and bicycles under the Bettmann name. Seeking a more universal brand, he renamed the firm Triumph Cycle Company in 1886.
In 1887, engineer Moritz Schulte joined and helped push the shift toward manufacturing. By 1889, Triumph produced its own bicycles, supported by investment from John Boyd Dunlop and access to pneumatic tire technology.
In 1902, the company released its first motorcycle using a Minerva engine. Growth followed, and during World War I, more than 30,000 Model H units were supplied to Allied forces, reinforcing a reputation for durability.
Triumph entered car production in 1923, but the Great Depression disrupted operations. Bettmann left by 1933, and by 1936, the motorcycle and car divisions split. Jack Sangster acquired the motorcycle business.
Sangster recruited Edward Turner, who introduced the Speed Twin in 1937, establishing the parallel-twin layout as an industry standard. World War II bombing destroyed the Coventry factory in 1940, and production moved to Meriden, where over 50,000 bikes were supplied.
In 1958, Triumph launched the Bonneville T120 following a 1956 speed record. A year later, the brand was sold to BSA, but competition from Honda and Yamaha eroded its position. BSA collapsed in 1973, and the Meriden cooperative continued limited production until 1983.
That same year, John Bloor acquired the brand and rebuilt it from scratch. A new factory opened in Hinckley in 1988, leading to a full relaunch in 1990 with modular engine models. After a factory fire in 2002, operations resumed within months. By 2017, Triumph had entered into a partnership with Bajaj Auto, and leadership had passed to Nick Bloor in 2011.
Meaning and History
The debut motorcycle with the Triumph emblem appeared in 1902. Before that, the brand decorated only bicycles that appeared on the English market in 1887. During the XX century, not only did vehicle models change, but also manufacturers’ emblems.
It often happened that a single symbol designated one series, while the second was completely different, since the company paid as much attention to design as to the technical component. This means that it is possible to determine the years of existence of this or that Triumph sign only approximately.
What is Triumph?
Triumph is a British motorcycle brand founded in 1983 by John Bloor. The founder bought the rights to the name and motorcycle production from the previous company, renaming his firm Bonneville Coventry Ltd. As a result, the company continued to produce two-wheeled vehicles. Its main manufacturing sites were in Thailand, and its headquarters were in Hinckley.
1902 – 1906
The first emblem, which appeared on a motorcycle in 1902, had been in use since 1887, adorning Triumph Cycle Co. bicycles. It was an elaborate coat of arms with a crown and six flags. COVENTRY indicated the location of the company.
1907 – 1914
Increased exports led the designers to replace the shield with the words “America, Europe and Australia”. At the same time, the company’s name, in a stylized font, began to appear more frequently on fuel tanks.
1915 – 1922
In 1914, the slogan disappeared. It was replaced by a bold italicized “MOTORS” lettering, which, together with “TRIUMPH,” was placed inside a black horizontal ellipse.
1923 – 1931
In the 1920s, designers brought back the classic shield by adding new colors. The center area became blue, the border became dark gold, and a red inverted triangle appeared at the bottom.
1932 – 1933
Triumph’s success in foreign markets led to a major rebranding in 1929. So, there was a whole series of emblems with the image of the globe. Various modifications were made to motorcycle fuel tanks until 1933. Some versions were supplemented with the slogan “Triumph All Over The World”.
1934 – 1936
In 1934, a new logo, the word “TRIUMPH,” appeared in the Val Page line. The font looked unusual due to the curved line connecting the letters “R” and “H”. The “sweeping-R” trademark appeared as early as 1914, but it was used only on booklets, banners, and posters. It was used on motorcycles from 1931, though its style differed slightly from the first version. The Val Page models used a variant with a thin font.
1936 – 1990
In 1936, the company launched a series of motorcycles designed by Edward Turner. Their logo was as close as possible to the original, as shown on the cover of the 1914 advertising booklet. It differed from the previous version in having clearer lettering. After Meriden died in 1983, this mark became the basis of Triumph’s corporate style.
1990 – 2004
John Bloor’s motorcycles, which debuted in 1990, featured an updated emblem. It was distinguished from the classic version by its blue color, sharply angled serifs, and a changed shape of the line connecting “R” to “H.”
2005 – 2012
In 2005, the serifs and outlines disappeared, and the elongated “R” leg became even thinner. The blue color took on a cobalt hue. In 2011, the Daytona 675, Street Triple, and Speed Triple models were given a logo with black letters on a white background.
2013 – today
The final version of the trademark appeared in 2013. Wolff Olins Studio designed it in collaboration with Rick Banks, who changed the font, added rounded corners, and reduced the height of the “T.”
Font and Colors
In 2013, the brand introduced an emblem in the form of an inverted triangle featuring the words “TRIUMPH” and fragments of the Union Jack. It is based on the original engine markings from the 1930s.
With the latest logo update, the font has a more symmetrical look. The serifs are gone, the corners are rounded, and the right foot of the “R” transitions to an “H.” The palette is dominated by black, with white used as an additional color.