New Gaydon Triumph exhibit is the first-ever dedicated motorcycle display at the British Motor Museum

The British Motor Museum officially opened its brand-new Triumph Daytona exhibit on Friday July 29, with the Hinckley firm committing to more displays in the future.

In a landmark moment for the Warwickshire motoring mecca, the Brit bike showcase is the first-ever dedicated motorcycle exhibit at the museum and includes 16 bikes, ranging from the late Craig Jones’ 2004 TT 600 British Supersport race-winner, to countless production machines, and even the firm’s early Moto2 development mule.

“This will be the first of many opportunities like this as we go forward,” Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Stroud, said. “Potentially, we will take the opportunity to tell other stories and take some other exhibits out of our Factory Visitor Experience.”

Other bikes in the collection include a first-generation Daytona 675 road bike, plus the last one built in 2018. But are we likely to see any more in the future? When asked, Stroud added: “As an individual, I have a philosophy of saying: ‘never say never.’”

The Daytona name began for Triumph following Buddy Elmore’s 1966 victory at the Daytona 200 aboard a prototype T100 Tiger from 46^th on the grid. The firm have since clinched victory in the famous American race on multiple occasions, including earlier this year with former British MotoStar champion, Brandon Paasch.

Also shedding further light on upcoming exhibits was Head of Customer Experience, Simon Thrussell, who confirmed the next display would be to celebrate 120 years of the brand and would likely begin in November.

“We’ve always got too many motorcycles to show,” he told MCN. “It would be lovely to follow this model in other markets as well.”

The current Daytona display will run until October, with access included as part of the normal entry price. Adults are £14.50 in advance, or £16 on the day – with a full list of prices found on their website.

Many of the bikes on display have come from serial Triumph collector, Dick Shepherd, who said: “It’s nice to be involved in the first motorcycle collection ever to be at Gaydon.”

This was added to by former Head of Workshop, Nick Wilson, who worked on every new Daytona model since Triumph’s resurrection at the 1990 Cologne motorcycle show.

“I always hoped [the Daytona name] would always last, I didn’t know it would. When you’re working on these bikes, you’re never sure what the next one is going to look like,” he told MCN. “The Triumph Visitor Experience was a step in the right direction, but I think you just need to spread the word and I think this is the ideal way of doing it.

“In all seriousness, I think it’s lovely, and the spot that they’ve got for it in here is brilliant.”

For more information on how to visit the experience, go to britishmotormuseum.co.uk

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Daytonas on display: Historic model in special exhibition at British Motor Museum

First published on 27 July 2022 by Phil West

Triumph’s legendary Daytona name, which dates back to 1966, is making history again by being the subject of the first dedicated motorcycle exhibition at the British Motor Museum.

Until now featuring only cars, the Warwick museum has collaborated with Triumph to create its first motorcycle exhibition – ‘The Legendary Daytona Motorcycle’ – which opens at the end of July and will be on show for six months.

“This exhibition, showcasing two wheels rather than four, is a first for the museum. Triumph is an iconic British brand, and this is a great opportunity to share the story of Triumphs continued evolution and the important role that British motor manufacturing still plays today,” museum managing director Jeff Coope said.

Visitors will see the story of how the Daytona was created, and how it continues to be one of Britain’s most successful motorcycles. The story begins with Buddy Elmore’s 1966 victory at the Daytona 200 aboard a specially-prepared factory Triumph Tiger, which led to the creation of the first celebratory model the following year.

The exhibition also features 16 Triumph Daytonas from the following years, including the first-ever the Daytona Moto2 765 Limited Edition. There will also be memorabilia, back-stories and more.

Simon Thrussell, global head of Triumph’s customer experience, added: “We are very proud to be working together for the first time with the British Motor Museum to showcase the iconic Daytona story. This promises to be a wonderful exhibit of stunning motorcycles for visitors to see and enjoy.”

The exhibition will be held in the museum’s Rotunda Gallery from Friday 22 July and access is included within normal museum entry. Tickets are £16 for adults (£14.50 in advance), £10 for children (£9 in advance) or £44/40 for a family ticket.