Icons of elegance in the modern-classic segment, Hinckley’s twins were queens of off-road and trusted adventure companions to timeless legends.
Triumph, with the Scrambler 1200 and its participation in the Mexican 1000 2019 – the historic rally crossing Baja California in Mexico – has returned to the desert sands. A return to its roots, because not everyone knows that Triumph was for years a true enduro dominator, leading riders destined to become legends of motorcycling to success. But let’s take it step by step.
Triumph: the undisputed queen of enduro
The post-war years and the birth of the Trophy
The story begins in 1948, when Triumph prepared three special TR5 models to take part in the International Six Days of Enduro, the Olympics of motorcycle off-road racing, held that year in Sanremo. The result was sensational: three gold medals, one in each category, and the manufacturers’ title.
A dominance that continued over the years and led the Hinckley manufacturer to bring road-going versions inspired by those race bikes onto the market: thus the Trophy was born. High-level two-into-one exhaust, raised suspension and high front mudguard became the hallmarks of the TR5 Trophy, which remained in production until the 1970s.
The Trophy quickly became an icon outside competition too: it was James Dean’s favourite bike and a constant presence in the American pop imagination.
Triumph and Hollywood
The connection with Hollywood strengthened Triumph’s identity in the United States. It was right here that one of America’s most influential dealers decided to back a young off-road talent destined to become a legend: Bud Ekins.
Made in U.S.A. successes
Bill Johnson, owner of the Hollywood Triumph dealership, handed Ekins a TR5 Trophy. The rider immediately repaid that trust by winning the Catalina Grand Prix, one of the most iconic races in American off-road.
From that point on, it was one success after another: Ekins became the most famous off-road rider in America, reached the podium in the gruelling Big Bear Motorcycle Run, and turned Triumph into the benchmark brand of the Californian desert.
Bud Ekins: the most famous rider in American off-road
The stars’ bike
Bud Ekins’ dealership in North Hollywood soon became a meeting point for film stars. Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood and, above all, Steve McQueen are captivated by the motorcycles from Hinckley.
A deep friendship develops between McQueen and Ekins: the “King of Cool” becomes increasingly drawn to off-road racing, takes part in competitions (often under a pseudonym) and quickly hones his riding skills.
The big jump
In 1962, during the filming of “The Great Escape”, one of the most famous stunt scenes in cinema history was born: the fence jump.
The bike, disguised as a BMW for the purposes of the script, was actually a Triumph TR6 Trophy. McQueen did not perform the jump; it was Bud Ekins, the only one capable of pulling off a technical feat of that level.
The return to the ISDE
In 1964, Bud Ekins agreed to represent the United States at the International Six Days of Enduro in East Germany and also managed to get Steve McQueen involved.
Despite the Cold War atmosphere, McQueen set off together with Dave Ekins, Johnny Steen and Cliff Coleman, all riding Triumph TR5 and TR6 Trophy models. They did not take the win, but they secured their place in enduro legend forever.
Fancy the desert?
If this story has made you want to kick up dust and stones on every ride, then you can’t miss our article “How to build a scrambler”. And if DIY isn’t your strong point… we’ll be waiting for you in the workshop!
