Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes The Ugliest Triumph?

I went to the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, AL last weekend. Unbelievable! The largest mortorcycle museum in the world. Just about every historical Triumph ever made is represented. I just had to post a picture of the ugliest Triumph ever made. A 1958 Triumph "Twenty-One" also not to affectionately known as "the bathtub".

P.U. I'm guessing they didn't sell alot of those!

The "bathtub" designs were not well received here in the States.

oh now, be fair. These things were made in a time when scooters were a threat and weather protection was the rage. Need I remind you of these?

I agree that is probably the ugliest Triumph ever made, but not only have I wanted one for a long time. I would actually ride it, because I have never seen anyone else cruising down the road on one.

i remember seeing them as a kid back in the sixties ,im sure the GPO (post office/telephone co)used them ,

Not pretty, but at least it was functional with the air filter and electrics all in a box. There were times when I would have given up a little of the beauty of my '49 for a bit more weatherproofing of the selenium rectifier.
Now, most of those Bonnevilles that were painted up by that decorator bloke were uglied up for no reasonable purpose at all.

A late uncle of mine had one. His nephew (my 1st cousin), who was a mechanic here in Phoenix, at Vito's, the Triumph shop, up-graded to the bigger 500 twin jugs. At the original 350 cc's, it was a little under powered.

Call me strange, but I kinda like it.

Hey my old man had a bath tub, but that was a Thunderbird, I thought it looked cool, but I must admit most people these days remove the tub.

I like it too. I'd love to have one.

Ugly? I think not.

AL,

I want one too, maybe we could split one if one can be found. I am easy to share with, you take it 7 months and I'll take it 5 months (i choose the months - I may even go 8months-4months).

i love it. both pics. i think those are worth some cash these days.

cat

I think they're kinda cool and a well preserved or restored one, is worth a few yen.

Wow I am amazed, I really like the looks of that bike. Thanks for the pic and the post!

Im not sure about the ugliest ever. Different maybe.

But to be honest. Most bikes parked in front of a genuine MV Agusta are going to look ugly. Is that the Great Agostinis MV behind the Triumph?

When George Barber fielded an AHRMA team, they raced (2) MV Augusta's. It was worth the admission price for the weekend just to hear those bikes go around the track one time !!!!

I agree that the "21" is definitely different. I posted "ugliest Triumph" to see what reaction it got. I'd never seen one before. As far as the racing bike behind, I don't remember what it was. I can't wait to my next trip when I can go back. I saw so many makes and models I'd never seen and so many bikes - it was almost too much for one day. The Nor-Vins were cool, a series of factory bikes combined from Norton and Vincent. If anyone is going to or through Birmingham, AL, STOP, and check out the Barber Motorsports Museum - you'll be glad you did.