Few foreign motorcycle manufacturers have endeared themselves to American customers like Triumph. This restored Tiger T90, recently for sale on eBay, is among the earliest examples in the US and one of the firm’s highly sought-after prewar offerings.
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In the Beginning
In 1938, Nevada businessman Bill Johnson acquired a bike emporium in Pasadena, Calf. An avid student of motorcycling, Johnson recognized a place in the US market for British machines—particularly Triumph and Ariel - opens in new window or tab..
Triumph had been shipping to the States for a couple of years. But Johnson brought a feverish ambition and passion for promoting motorsports. He established Triumph in the western United States through his new lavish, two-story Pasadena location.
After only two years of trying to market Triumph, Johnson had to contend with war-time realities. The Triumph factory was destroyed in a bombing in 1940. The firm recovered but geared all production toward the war effort.
However, Johnson and his team worked relentlessly to promote the new business. In later years, he lured Hollywood’s finest to help raise Triumph’s US profile. Stars like Rita Hayworth, Robert Stack, Robert Taylor, Steve McQueen, and Keenan Wynn publicized the British bikes.
Enter the Tiger T90
Triumph’s Coventry premises were active in the US for a few years before World War II. The pretty machine for sale on eBay is one of the rare models imported during that brief period.
Esteemed designer Edward Turner - opens in new window or tab. had joined Triumph in 1936. His job was to reduce the number of models and simplify production by minimizing decoration. Turner-designed machines, built mainly by hand, were handsome.
The Tiger T90's gorgeous chromed tank sits atop a 500-cc motor with a high-compression piston and a trick twin-port cylinder head “specially tuned for the sporting rider,” as Triumph put it. This was an early case of form equalling function. The T90 was widely recognized as a superb machine, although it was expensive to produce.
After the war, Triumph continued with the Tiger T100, a worthy machine that lacked the T90’s visual appeal and sportiness.
Full and Correct Restoration
Most fans of older British motorcycles have a Triumph Tiger T90 on their wish list. The example available on eBay looks as good as a restored Tigers gets. The seller - opens in new window or tab., based in Hudson, Wisc., has extensive knowledge and experience with vintage British stuff. He states that all the relevant casting numbers on the bike are period-correct. Of course, accurate engine and frame records were lost when the factory was destroyed.
Considering the Tiger T90's brief production, this refined, sporty, good-looking machine carved a niche in the US market, one that Triumph still occupies today.
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