Ian Falloon is a well-known moto-journalist and photographer who’s written a boatload of books about motorcycles. Ditto David Minton. The UK publishing house Haynes was lucky enough to snag the services of both these fine gentlemen for its Story series, and their knowledge and expertise are on full display here. Both books are large and feature full-color photos, as well as drawings, sketches, and graphs from the companies’ early years.

Minton’s The Triumph Story delves deeply into Triumph’s heritage as he recounts how the marque survived the Depression-era years by churning out cheaply made utility bikes; Triumph then won numerous races in the ’40s despite little support from its owners, up through the reclaiming of past glories via the appeal of its oft-parodied Twins. Minton wraps up with the demise of the Meriden factory, Triumph’s rebirth at Hinckley, and the company’s recent soaring popularity. The old black-and-white photos and drawings are priceless.

Falloon, who’s written most of the books in the Story series, tackles the roller coaster tale of Bavarian Motor Works. Forbidden by the allies to build aircraft engines after Germany lost World War I, BMW began to produce a line of dependable, efficient motorcycles, developing a reputation the company still upholds today. The book talks about how the political environment of the ’30s led to World War II and the Nazis, the deja vu destruction of the Munich manufacturing machine, and how BMW survived yet again. Fallon makes the case that the automobile manufacturer had its ample rear end saved by its motorcycle division more than a couple of times.

These books recount more than just the history of a motorcycle company: it’s the history of planet Earth, circa the 20th century. And these books make for an enjoyable, and often riveting, read. RB

Sources

The BMW Story by Ian Falloon; The Triumph Story by David Minton
Color, approx. 200 pages ea.
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