This car was sold new in Northern Ireland, and stayed there for 97 years. In all that time it only had two owners, so effectively I am the third owner, which I find incredible. Although it was built in 1923, it wasn't sold until 1924, to a chap called David Strain – that's him pictured with his new acquisition in the B&W photo. I don't know why he chose a Triumph as it would have been something of an unknown quantity at the time, though of course they did already have a good reputation for their motorbikes. It was also very expensive in comparison with its early competitors.
David kept the 10/20 until the 1960s when he passed away. He was fastidious about its care – he made others take their shoes off before getting in, he wouldn't drive it into town or in the rain, things like that. And he kept a meticulous log of absolutely everything he did with the car – every single journey, dates, times, fuel and oil top ups,everything. That may sound odd to people today, but don't forget that in the 1920s, having a car was a big deal.
