Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory

What a wonderful walk down a lane of history with an exceptional storyteller. Hancox worked in the Meriden factory from its heyday until the sad demise. He held several jobs which gave him a unique perspective which he cheerfully shares with the reader. The reader gets a real feel for what working there was like. Hancox obviously loved his job yet is not afraid to mention the failures Triumph had along the way. Some of the anecdotal tales are laugh out loud funny as well. With the author's foray riding for the White Helmets in military service additional treats await the reader. This is a fun book to read with minimal technical jargon and should appeal to anyone interested in motorcycles, British manufacturing and plain old good storytelling.

All through the 1960's me and my friends rode English motorcycles, mostly BSA, Norton, and Triumphs, and we loved them. By the early 1970's we had all switched over to Japanese motorcycles for the reasons mentioned in this book. Here the author gives a personal behind the scenes look at some of the things that drove us away. This book is filled with facts, some humor, pictures, and events that happened starting around 1953 to the very end with Triumph and some of their employees, customers, and the bikes.

I am something of a new comer to the world of Triumph Motorcycles. As I delve in to the process of restoring my own bike (a 1966 T120R) I found myself wanting to know more about the marque and how my bike and others like it came in to being. I was delighted by this book. What I enjoyed most was the perspective that author Hancox offered in to what life in those simpler, not so long ago days was like.I was most struck by the attitude and work ethic of the people described in his stories...particularly of the early days of his career. I learned how Triumph rose to great heights by offering a good product and by genuinely caring about the people who rode them. I also gained insight in to how they met their demise.Having read these stories adds a deeper meaning to my own path of discovery as I slowly, bit by bit bring my little piece of Meriden history back to life.

An excellent look into the long career of a Meriden Triumph factory and management employee. Much more than a Triumph history, the book takes you back to the glory days when Triumph was king of the motorcycle world. Truly unique look into the factory from one who was actually there. Highly recommended.

I have been riding Triumph motorcycles for over 30 years, and have been collecting Triumph literature (books, ads, pamphlets, etc) almost as long. This book by Hughie Hancox is the most entertaining book on the marque I have ever read. It is not some dry historical account, but rather a 'life experience' of a dedicated employee who held many positions within the Meriden works.Mr. Hancox is a gifted story teller in that he relays personal experiences, most of them comical, in such a way that you feel you are 'in his shoes.' His job assignments at Triumph were varied throughout his career and he takes you along with him.He even did a two year stint as a stunt rider/drill team member during his two years of National Service.Buy this book - you won't be disappointed!

This is a fantastic read. I'm a fan of British motorcycles, specifically Triumph, and this book paints a vivid look at the industry in the 1950's and 60's. I really had a hard time putting it down.

I am a HUGE vintage Triumph guy and have restored a few bikes from the mid sixties. This is a great history of the triumphs and pitfalls of a truly great company. I will very likely reread this book a few times as well as purchase other books of it's ilk.

Hughie was there and has tales to tell. Not strictly a history of Triumph but a narrative of what it was like to work in the factory and how things got done (or not done).Very easy to read and most enjoyable.

A good account of what went on at the Triumph factory in the fifties and sixties and also a reminder of how differently we lived in those days. The author tells the good and the bad about many aspects of motorcycle manufacture at Meriden, and we follow his journey from keen but slightly laddish teenager to competent and conscientious manager, and his sadness at the bitter but inevitable end, having been loyal for so many years. And we can maybe work out for ourselves why they had no answer to more reliable foreign competition; for example thrashing a bike up and down the M1 twice a day for weeks on end, with a service and fettle after every journey does not in my book constitute a proper and thorough testing regime.Only weak point was the coverage of his National Service, which I found a little boring - I wanted to read more about life at Meriden, but some of the White Helmets stuff was interesting. I will definitely read his other book.

It is a good read

Brilliant book.

This is a really well written book giving lots of facts on how the factory worked and how the Triumph bikes evolved, along with the authors witty comments and how Triumph fitted into his own life made this book a really good read. Not to be missed if you are a Triumph fanatic.

Perfect for triumph enthusiasts. Detailed and entertaining read. Some comical episides. Gives a real flavour of times gone by