The Triumph Motor Company brand had its origins in 1885 when German national, Siegfried Bettmann, formed S. Bettmann & Co. and began importing bicycles from Europe to sell under his own trade name in London.
That name became “Triumph” in 1886 and in 1887 Bettmann was joined by countryman, Moritz Schulte. In 1889, the two men started producing their own bicycles in Coventry.
Triumph didn’t start manufacturing its first car until 1923 and it wasn’t until 1960 that the business was acquired by Leyland Motors, which ultimately become part of British Leyland in 1968. Triumph-badged cars were produced by British Leyland until 1984 the marque was retired.