The Triumph Bonneville first appeared in 1959. It was named after the Bonneville flats where Johnny Allen had set the world speed record at 214mph a few years earlier. Triumph used the slogan 'Worlds Fastest Motorcycle' in its marketing and people couldn't get enough of the Bonnie.
In the 1960's it cemented its place as an icon, thanks in no small part to the A-listers who rode the Bonneville. People like Lee Marvin, Paul Newman and of course, the king of cool himself, Steve McQueen.
When John Bloor purchased Triumph many fans feared the worst thinking it was to be used as his plaything but Bloor loved the badge and the history of Triumph. He also loved making money and was proven to be very good at it. When he released an all-new version of the Bonnie at the turn of the century it was in instant hit.
It carried the heritage and the looks of the original Bonneville's but with a thoroughly modern engine. I've argued many a time that John Bloor and the Triumph Bonneville are responsible for the boom in retro motorcycles, although probably completely accidentally!
Discover the history of the Bonneville and its lineage through to the present Triumph modern classic range with this infographic from timeless2wheels.com.
Infographic submitted by Ancient Hippy
