Half-litre hot rod
It has been said that Triumph’s model numbering equates to the performance each machine was capable of, ergo the Tiger singles in the Edward Turner revamped range of the 1930s would do respectively 70, 80 and 90mph for the Tiger 70, Tiger 80 and Tiger 90 models.
When, under Turner’s leadership, the Meriden company produced the Tiger 100 a short time later, as the high performance version of his phenomenally successful Speed Twin, it was reputed to do 100mph.
Would these figures stack up? Maybe, maybe not – all manufacturers of the day were quite capable of manipulating the truth and only one example of a machine had to achieve the magical model number/ performance figure for it to be deemed acceptable.
There are believable tales of journalists being invited along to test ride the new model, have a pleasant ride out in the morning as the new model copes well with town duty, displays a flexibility required for smooth riding and exhibits a thoroughly civilised demeanour.
On returning to the factory, intent on filling his notepad with detail our man is taken under the wing of the sales marketing department: “Tell you what old boy, shall we do it
