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Triumph’s well-engineered 3hp single-cylinder motorcycles earned the company a reputation as a manufacturer of reliable products that were capable of sporting speeds.

A factor in the reliability of the motorcycles was Triumph’s principle of controlling all aspects of the design and construction to the extent that it developed its own twin-barrel carburettor and its own magneto. In 1907, the 3hp model was superseded by the 453cc, 3.5hp, side-valve, single-cylinder models. In 1908, the engine was enlarged to 475cc and a variable pulley was fitted that enabled the rider to change the drive ratio although it required stopping by the roadside to do so. In 1910, the engine was enlarged to 499cc and a clutch was introduced enabling standing starts rather than pedalling or pushing the bike to get the engine started.

By 1913, a three-speed Sturmey-Archer hub gearbox was available, operated by a hand control and a foot clutch. Accordingly, there were six models in the range that year including a ‘free-engine’ (clutched) Roadster (Type A), a direct-drive Roadster (Type B), a Deluxe Roadster with the hub gearbox and a foot-operated clutch (Type C), a direct-drive TT Roadster (Type D), a free-engine TT Roadster (Type E) and a direct-drive TT racing model (Type F) capable of 75mph (121kph) whereas the other models were capable of around 55mph (88kph). The front forks were of a unique Triumph type that is sprung to move backwards and forwards. Production continued until 1914 when the 550cc, 4hp model was introduced.

This 1913 Deluxe Type C Roadster was was acquired for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via an auction from a private vendor in New Zealand in March, 2009.