TIGER TIME
One of the most important motorcycles designed by Triumph, the Tiger series quite literally saved the marquee from collapse.(Refer also Lot 38). Struggling to survive, Triumph had been losing money for six years during the Great Depression and was under strong pressure from its board to concentrate on car production – an entirely unpalatable suggestion for a company with such a strong two-wheeled heritage.

However, inspiration came from an unlikely quarter: Ariel Motorcycles’ Managing Director Jack Sangster had brought his company ‘back from the black’ with the legendary Ariel Square Four (refer Lot 18, 30) and was persuaded by its designer, Edward Turner, to take over Triumph. Doing so in 1936, Sangster appointed Turner to run the Triumph motorcycle division; on top of this, Bert Hopwood was offered the role as head designer. The dream team was created and in 1937 they announced the Tiger series. Turner had designed a new range of fast, lightweight singles which were marketed as the Tiger 70, 80 and 90 (with the model number representing the top speed); they were beautifully balanced and finished. It proved to be a landmark year
for Triumph.

Offering matching numbers, this beautiful example has undergone a meticulous restoration, with all major work carried out by the best professionals available. Many new old-stock spares have been fitted and, more importantly, no replica parts were used. This is a wonderful example of a very rare and heroic motorcycle, virtually detail perfect. A brilliant performer on the road and an absolute stunner on the showroom floor, the genius of Edward Turner and Bert Hopwood is written all over the exercise. The Tiger 80 is, without question, a critical juncture in the history of Triumph motorcycling.