Archive photograph

Four riders, four pillions, on four Triumphs, taking part in a 1958 road trial, from the Triumph works.

he Triumph Owners' Club rally, at Meriden in 1958: riders are, from left, K Wakefield, E Dyson, B C Barrow and G Cooke. The eyes of Wakefield and Dyson are focussed on the starter's raised finger, while, out on the right, Cooke looks, literally, to be posing for the camera - that's where his eyes are. As for Barrow; well, one can't see his eyes, which probably doesn't bode well for visibility. That screw-in adjuster in the middle of his MkVIII goggles needs tightening up a bit, so the poor lad has a chance of unhindered vision.

Their machines provide an interesting spectrum of the Triumph range, both old and new. Going from the left: Mr Wakefield and his passenger are on a Tiger Cub, registered VOE 850, though it could be 'Y' at the start. The registration (no longer on the DVLAdatabase, either V or Y) places the Cub as being registered locally, in Birmingham. There's a couple of additions added, in the form of crash bars and a handlebar mirror, but the model looks largely standard.

Not only is the Cub hauling Mr Wakefield, but his later passenger too; plenty to ask of the 199cc four-stroke single. That it is running on 16in wheels dates it as 1956 on - the launch model (1954 season) used 19in wheels, before the swap a couple of seasons in. The initial Cub also used a plunger-type rear suspension, it and its 150cc smaller sibling, the Terrier, from which it was developed, the only production Triumphs to ever to be thus equipped.

The Terrier was dropped for the range in 1956, leaving the Cub as Triumph's only small capacity and single cylinder machine. For 1957, it was granted swinging arm frame, updating it hugely; it's impossible to see if Wakefield's model has such a frame. The Tiger Cub remained in Triumph's range until 1965, when it was superseded by the Bantam Cub and Super Cub, with the former coming first, in 1966; basically, it consisted of the Cub engine housed in a BSAframe. This arrangement continued until 1969.

The Tiger Cub's legacy extended out and beyond that too, though. When BSAowners of Triumph wanted a new 250cc model in 1958, the Cub was used as its basis, spawning the Cl 5, which itself led to the B40, B25, B44, B50 and somewhat ironicallyTR25 (and short-lived TR5MX). The B50 itself was developed by CCM, its ultimate incarnation being the works 580cc scrambler - all coming from the original Terrier. The phrase 'Mighty oaks from little acorns grow' has rarely seemed so apt.

Next along is Mr Dyson and friend, on the machine registered HOM 861 - another Brum number, no longer listed on the DVLA database either. This one looks like a 3T, the 1946-51 produced 350cc twin, pretty much the 'forgotten man' of the postwar Triumph range, though actually a thoroughly charming and practical machine.

Physically smaller than its 500cc Speed Twin and Tiger 100 bigger brothers, the ohv twin was a machine in its own right, with its own identity - part of it forged in the all-back finish, which is the main identifier

of Bryant's motorcycle. Of course, it may be a refurbished, but there's no reason to think it is. It is also sans nacelle, which came in 1949, meaning that Mr Bryant's motorcycle is probably a decade old. Though it still looks jolly smart.

Next along, and also looking smart, is Mr Barrow's model, which has the pre-1957 type grill tank badges and half-width front hub, though the paint finish is a bit of a mystery; the forks and nacelle would look to be back, while the tank and front mudguard look too ark to be the silver sheen or light blue of a Tiger 100 or ll0. It does have crash bars though, supporting an RACbadge and a spotlight.

Finally in the line-up is our camerafriendly Mr Cooke, who, like all the others is carrying a pillion, though this passenger is largely obscured. This Triumph is a pretty new model, the light finish of the petrol tank and black forks probably making it a Tiger 100 or ll0, though it could be a 1957 Thunderbird, in black and gold, perhaps. Like Barrow, he carries a spotlight and an RAC badge on his crashbars.

The lovely period image is completed by a host of machinery - all Triumphs, of course - in the background, with probably a 1955 Thunderbird (first year swinging arm, all-over dark blue finish, equipped with a fairing) parked across ways, another - registration DOP 268 perhaps? - and another rigid framed machine, on a sidecar - it's clearly not on a stand - between the heads of Wakefield and Dyson. Incidentally, all of their heads, riders and pillions, are clad in crash helmets, not a legal requirement for another 15 years. These, though, were big mile, serious 'club' riders, as can be judged by their machines, their attire and their • voluntary head protection.