 1934 Model XV/1 |
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Does such an unknown model justify a web page of its own? Well, I've decided that it does simply for that reason. With the Depression of the early 1930's prompting Triumph to produce the small two-stroke Models X and Z, and two Gloria machines, Triumph saw that there was a requirement for small capacity motor cycles. These Triumph followed up with the more successful four-stroke Models XO. So why not combine the qualities of the XO models with a cheaper two-stroke engine? Thus was 'born' the Model XV/1, which was basically the frame and 'tinware' of the Model XO with a 148cc two-stroke engine, and when it went on sale in 1934 at £25-10-00 it was more than £4 below the cost of the cheapest Model XO in the range. See below for the derivation of the name. Either prospective purchasers were already disallusioned by Triumph's earlier two-stroke machines, or they were wooed by Val Page's 1934 models, but from the lack of survivors today it would appear that the Model XV/1 did not sell very well. The Model XV/1 was to be Triumph's last two-stroke model to be manufactured by the Triumph Cycle Company and Triumph Engineering did not reintroduce a two-stroke model until the scooters of the late 1950's. |
Brief Specifications and Variations
148cc 2-stroke. 53mm bore X 67mm stroke. The engine was made by,
and purchased from, Villiers.
It would appear that the intention was to use the single-port
Villiers XVc engine, but as this did not become available until later
in 1934 the identical size twin-port 12c engine was used. The need
for two exhaust systems would not have been originally planned and
would have increased production costs.
Catalogued for only 1934.
Electric lighting and legshields were standard.
I do not currently have enough details from surviving machines to be able to
give any idea of production figures.
I currently only have knowledge of surviving Models XV/1 in
Britain.
For more information you really need to read the booklet
I have written which includes this model.
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