Author Description

Triumph Models P, Q and QA-1 The Model P is probably the best known Triumph of the vintage period. With almost 50,000 made, and sales round the world it is one of the most numerous Triumphs still surviving a century later. Spares are fairly easy to come by and as a 'no frills' machine what is not found at swap meets is not difficult to reproduce. The Model P was followed by two Sports versions, the Model Q and an overseas Super Sports Model QA. There was also later, a 1927 Model QA. This was different to the 1926 model, being closer to the 1927 Model N; hence my 'QA-1' in the booklet title. References in this booklet to the Model QA will relate only to the 1926 Model. Much has been written of the Model P in books and magazines. Some is true, some is fiction and some is very inaccurate. It seems that while there may be many who write, it appears that few are historians. In one book, one reads that the Model P "was a disaster for Triumph". However nothing could be further from the truth for the Model P was Triumph's saviour at a time when they, like most of the motor cycle manufacturers, were in financial trouble - the mid-1920s, due to the post-war boom having fizzled out, castings strikes stifling production, plus not least of all, the fact that the Austin Seven car was available for around £25 more than a motor cycle and sidecar and in 1924 more cars were registered in Britain than motor cycles. Triumph's profit had fallen dramatically for 1924. Triumph decided that the way out of the industry's recession was to work, and sell, their way out in a similar manner to when Herbert Austin had previously dropped the intended price of the Austin Seven from £225 to £165, causing them to sell like hot cakes. So Triumph needed a new machine with a rock bottom price. Thus was born the idea of a 'lightweight' 500cc model capable of solo use, yet with power to haul a sidecar with ease, and capable of easily being modified to provide a 'sports' version