Triumph Workers Lock-In 1974

OUT OF PRINT - ONLY 5 COPIES LEFT
Ron McCormick’s photographs document a story of love and pride between workers, their factory, and their product, the Triumph twin cylinder motorcycle. It is only love and pride that can explain the extraordinary decision of Triumph workers at the Meriden factory to lock out their new bosses on hearing that production of their motorcycle would close, along with their place of work. In 1973, Triumph, with its revolutionary twin cylinder motorcycle, designed in 1938 by Edward Turner, and in particular his later Bonneville variant, had in the post-war years become an international icon, beloved of celebrities and motorcycle sportsmen. Meriden and the site were a Mecca for Triumph fans to visit, including Hollywood actors like Steve McQueen. As a banner outside the factory during the lock-in proclaimed, ‘Triumph Stays At Meriden Where The Legend Was Made’.

The Triumph Bonneville was the bike of choice for counter-culture rebels such as Marlon Brando, Bob Dylan, and James Dean; now the motorcycle itself would inspire rebellion! The revolutionary spirit resulted in a call to keep the factory open and the Bonneville in production. Meanwhile, inside the occupied factory, workers secretly modified the 750cc Bonneville T140V to meet challenging American standards, ready for a time when production could restart. The lock-in lasted well over a year, attracting the attention of the international press. Momentum grew when the new Labour Trade & Industry minister, Tony Benn, and union convenors formulated a plan that would enable their beloved 750cc Triumph Bonneville to continue in production at Meriden. Meanwhile, hundreds of other completed bikes, the three-cylinder 750cc Trident T150V, the twin-cylinder 500cc T100R Daytona, the prototype T100D with front disc brake, and the original 650cc T120V Bonneville, all sat parked in rows, slowly deteriorating.
Thus was the Triumph Meriden workers’ co-operative born. In 1976, the new entity was one of a number encouraged by Tony Benn and became the longest-lived and most well-known. It enjoyed initial success until its closure in 1983, a victim of a nation- changing British recession. Until the end came, the Meriden Triumph cooperative produced some 55,000 motorcycles, each one a symbol of their struggle, love, and pride for a British icon.

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Published by Café Royal Books
Size 5.5×7.9 in, 14×21 cm
36 Pages, softcover, staple-bound
Edition of 250
This copy is signed by the artist
Publish Date, 2018
Language English
Price £12.
Please note this book is now OUT OF PRINT - only 5 copies left - when it’s gone its gone!