Triumph car books - history and models

The Book of the Standard Motor Company

This book provides the complete history of Standard, once one of Britain's largest car manufacturers. As the biggest employer in Coventry, Standard rescued Triumph from obscurity, produced over 500.000 Ferguson tractors, and played a key role in Britain's efforts during WWII.

The book explores the technical and financial aspects of Standard's story, highlighting both its products and the people behind them. It starts with the first Standard prototype from 1903 and covers the many models produced until the brand was phased out in 1963 in the UK and in 1987 in India.

In addition to cars, the book also covers Standard's involvement in manufacturing Ferguson tractors, military aero-engines, and aircraft, including the Beaufighter and Mosquito fighter-bombers. It also includes information on the Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engine and the production of Triumph cars.

Information

Author:	Graham Robson
Details:	208 pages, 25.5 x 21.5 x 2.3 cm / 10 x 8.5 x 0.91 in, hardback
Illustrations:	262 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2011)
ISBN:	9781845843434

British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986

In 1968, British Leyland was formed by merging most of Britain's car manufacturers to create a strong, unified group capable of competing with major European companies. However, this goal was not achieved.

Many books have explored the politics and business aspects of British Leyland, but "British Leyland - The Cars, 1968-1986" focuses specifically on the vehicles produced by the company. It covers both inherited models and those developed under its management.

During its 18 years, British Leyland produced a wide range of vehicles, often leading to confusion about their origins. This book clarifies which models were made, by whom, and when.

The book stops at 1986, the year British Leyland ceased to exist. What remained of its car and light commercial vehicle division was renamed the Rover Group.

Information

Author:	James Taylor
Details:	192 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 2 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.79 in, hardback
Illustrations:	63 b&w and 173 colour photos
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781785003912

Works Triumphs in Detail : Standard-Triumph's works competition entrants, car-by-car

Between 1953 and 1980, Triumph's competition department built over 150 'works' cars for racing and rallying. These included models such as the TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, Spitfire, GT6R, Dolomite, Sprint, TR7, and several other variants, along with race cars like the TR3S, TRS, and Conrero. Additionally, they modified Standard Eight, Ten, and Vanguard cars for competition.

A key achievement of the department was its success with relatively standard production cars, starting from 803cc saloons.

Graham Robson, who managed the Standard-Triumph competition department in the early 1960s, oversaw the development of works cars like the TR4, Spitfire, and 2000.
In this book, he provides detailed information about each works car from 1953 to 1980, including their specifications, races, drivers, and career histories, accompanied by archive photographs. Specially commissioned colour photographs of surviving models are also included.

Information

Author:	Graham Robson
Details:	224 pages, 25.5 x 26 cm / 10 x 10.25 in, hardback
Illustrations:	500+ b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Herridge & Sons Ltd (GB, 2014)
Series:	In Detail
ISBN:	9781906133597

Triumph Cars: 100 Years

This book traces the history of Triumph sports cars, from the first 10/20 model to classic collector's cars like the TR series, Spitfire, GT6, and later sedans such as the 1300, 1500, and Dolomite.

Starting with Triumph's origins as a bicycle importer in 1885, it follows the company's journey to producing its first car in 1923. Author Ross Alkureishi explores Triumph's innovations, ownership changes, and challenges during the 1930s and wartime.

The book examines the Standard years from 1944, partnerships with Jaguar, and the success of the TR2 sports car in 1953. It covers the stylish 1950s, the Leyland era from 1960, and ends with the last Triumph model, the Acclaim, in 1981.

Throughout, Triumph's motorsport legacy, especially in rallying, is highlighted. Featuring historical and modern photographs, "Triumph Cars" is an essential reference for sports car enthusiasts.

Information

Author:	Ross Alkureishi
Details:	224 pages, 31.5 x 25.5 x 2.7 cm / 12.4 x 10 x 1.06 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Motorbooks International (USA, 2023)
ISBN:	9780760376492

Triumph Cars - The Complete Story (3rd Edition)

This book tells the story of Triumph cars, starting with the events that led Siegfried Bettman to begin car production in 1923. The authors, both Triumph experts, present the company's journey - from early success to financial struggles, its rescue by Standard in 1944, and its rise to prominence.
Triumph eventually overtook Standard and played a key role in the shifting landscape of British car manufacturing, including its involvement with Leyland, BMC, and British Leyland from the 1960s onward.

Beyond historical events, the book highlights the people behind Triumph's success. It explores iconic models like the Gloria and Dolomite from the 1930s, as well as the Herald, Spitfire, and TR series. The book also covers Triumph's achievements in racing and rallying, offering a fascinating account of the brand's legacy.

Features:
- Complete history of Triumph, including its earliest Standard models and final cars in 1984
- Extensive collection of archive material, factory documents, and photographs
- Detailed studies of all major Triumph models
- Coverage of Triumph's motorsport history
- In-depth look at the company's financial and industrial challenges
- Appendices with technical specifications, production details, and a list of Triumph car clubs

Information

Author:	Graham Robson, Richard M. Langworth
Details:	256 pages, 25 x 25 cm / 9.8 x 9.8 in, hardback
Illustrations:	250 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781787112896

Cars of the Standard Motor Company

The Standard Motor Company became one of Coventry's largest employers, with around 11.000 workers at its peak. Operating from its Canley factory, it produced cars for 60 years.
In 1945, Standard acquired Triumph, adding a second brand. From then on, all Triumph cars were designed, developed, and built in Standard factories.

This book explores the company's early years (1903-1912), the vintage models (1913-1930), and the post-vintage and Flying Standards (1931-1939). It also covers the Triumph acquisition, post-war production (1945-1961), the Leyland takeover, and the company's decline.

The book provides an overview of Standard's cars, featuring a collection of photographs of surviving vehicles, historical factory images, and period brochures.

Information

Author:	Phil Homer
Details:	96 pages, 23.5 x 16.5 cm / 9.25 x 6.5 in, paperback
Illustrations:	100 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2015)
ISBN:	9781445652276

Triumph & Standard Cars 1945 to 1984 - A Pictorial History

In 1945, Sir John Black, Chairman of the Standard Motor Company, merged two established brands to create Standard-Triumph International.
The Triumph name was first used on a traditional saloon and later on a series of successful sports cars, which quickly gained popularity among car enthusiasts for their design and engineering. Over time, the Standard name was dropped, and all models were sold under the Triumph brand.

This book covers every Triumph model produced from 1945 until the last car, the Triumph Acclaim, in 1984. While some purists criticized the Acclaim, it played a key role in the partnership between British Leyland and Honda.
Each model is thoroughly documented with detailed descriptions and illustrations.

Information

Author:	Kevin Warrington
Details:	144 pages, 21 x 15 cm / 8.25 x 5.9 in, paperback
Illustrations:	188 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781787110779

Standard Vanguard Cars

NEW

Kevin Warrington provides a detailed history of the Standard Vanguard, a durable and popular British car range. The book covers the development of different models, including saloon, estate, and commercial versions. It also highlights the affordable Ensign models and the luxury Vanguard Six, which featured a six-cylinder engine later used in the Triumph 2000.

The book explores the history of the Standard Motor Company, which eventually rebranded as Triumph. The Phase III Vanguard was later redesigned by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti, who also influenced Triumph's designs.
With a rich collection of vintage and modern images, this book offers a valuable insight into one of Britain's well-known family car ranges from the 1950s.

Information

Author:	Kevin Warrington
Details:	96 pages, 23.5 x 16.5 cm / 9.25 x 6.5 in, paperback
Illustrations:	100 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2025)
ISBN:	9781398119789

Triumph, les anglaises de caractère

Triumph, a name synonymous with victory, has made its mark both in sports and commercial success. While the brand still evokes images of a pure and powerful roadster, it would be limiting to focus solely on the TR series.

As part of the British Motor Corporation, Triumph produced sedans, both popular and sporty, as well as legendary models like the Herald and Spitfire. These cars became even more remarkable when equipped with six-cylinder engines.

This book explores the history of Triumph after World War II, though the brand's origins go back much further. It presents most of the models, from the most famous to the lesser-known, tracing their evolution through to the final model, the TR7.

Information

Author:	Larry Wilcox
Details:	128 pages, 24 x 27 cm / 9 x 10.6 in, hardback
Illustrations:	256 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2014)
ISBN:	9782726897485