Overview

The life of Edward Turner, one of Britain's most talented motorcycle designers, is revealed in full. Although seen by many as an irascible man who ran a very tight ship, it is a fact that his was a highly successful and profitable company.

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9781845840655

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inter-bike.co.uk, 2008UK biker website Whenever you talk about the British motorcycle industry one man's name keeps popping up, that of Edward Turner. Some historians feel that he was the most significant designer since the First World War and that he had the most impact on the British automotive industry of anybody and was something of a design genius (he designed the V8 engine for the Jaguar and Daimler range of cars!). While the latter could be challenged nobody will disagree that this larger than life character ran a tight ship and under him the Triumph motorcycle brand in particular was very innovative and prosperous. He personally has been the subject of many a chapter in the various marque histories on Triumph, but now he gets a book to himself - 'Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles.' Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive, and makes fascinating reading. Not only it is it Turner's story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry and as such is a must-read for all those who want know what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at $34.95.Vintage Motorcycle Club JournalMagazine for the Vintage Motorcycle Club, UK The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. Whenever motorcycles are discussed amongst enthusiasts, the name of Edward Turner is invariably mentioned. Whilst known worldwide for his landmark designs, e.g. the four-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the Triumph Speed Twin, etc., Turner remained an enigma, described by those who worked close to him as both difficult and charming, impatient, autocratic and brilliant. Born in 1901, Edward Turner was a truly gifted individual whose forceful character, design

inter-bike.co.uk, 2008<br> UK biker website <br> Whenever you talk about the British motorcycle industry one man's name keeps popping up, that of Edward Turner. Some historians feel that he was the most significant designer since the First World War and that he had the most impact on the British automotive industry of anybody and was something of a design genius (he designed the V8 engine for the Jaguar and Daimler range of cars!). While the latter could be challenged nobody will disagree that this larger than life character ran a tight ship and under him the Triumph motorcycle brand in particular was very innovative and prosperous. He personally has been the subject of many a chapter in the various marque histories on Triumph, but now he gets a book to himself - 'Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles.' Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive, and makes fascinating reading. Not only it is it Turner's story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry and as such is a must-read for all those who want know what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at $34.95. <p>Vintage Motorcycle Club Journal<br> Magazine for the Vintage Motorcycle Club, UK <br> The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. Whenever motorcycles are discussed amongst enthusiasts, the name of Edward Turner is invariably mentioned. Whilst known worldwide for his landmark designs, e.g. thefour-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the Triumph Speed Twin, etc., Turner remained an enigma, described by those who worked close to him as both difficult and charming, impatient, autocratic and brilliant. Born in 1901, Edward Turner was a truly gifted individual whose forceful character, design flair and business acumen drove Triumph from near bankruptcy in the mid-'30s to such heights of success that the company often struggled to reach the clamoring demand for its products worldwide. From the early post-war years Turner saw the potential of the American market and traveled there regularly to establish and maintain a large dealer network. Triumph achieved many sporting successes stateside, including the unofficial world motorcycle land speed record ... all of which greatly enhanced their sales figures.Embodying lightness with a powerful vertical twin engine, Turner's design of the 1937 Speed Twin was revolutionary, and so good that it remained in production for 29 years. Long overdue, this deeply researched work by Jeff Clew gets past Turner's irascible exterior to reveal the man, his life and work, and the huge contribution to his country and the evolution of the motorcycle. Featured are many images from the Turner family private photograph collection. This book is an excellent addition to any enthusiast's library.

<p> inter-bike.co.uk, 2008<br>UK biker website <br> Whenever you talk about the British motorcycle industry one man's name keeps popping up, that of Edward Turner. Some historians feel that he was the most significant designer since the First World War and that he had the most impact on the British automotive industry of anybody and was something of a design genius (he designed the V8 engine for the Jaguar and Daimler range of cars!). While the latter could be challenged nobody will disagree that this larger than life character ran a tight ship and under him the Triumph motorcycle brand in particular was very innovative and prosperous. He personally has been the subject of many a chapter in the various marque histories on Triumph, but now he gets a book to himself - 'Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles.' Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive, and makes fascinating reading. Not only it is it Turner's story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry and as such is a must-read for all those who want know what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at $34.95.<p>Vintage Motorcycle Club Journal<br>Magazine for the Vintage Motorcycle Club, UK <br> The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. Whenever motorcycles are discussed amongst enthusiasts, the name of Edward Turner is invariably mentioned. Whilst known worldwide for his landmark designs, e.g. the four-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the Triumph Speed Twin, etc., Turner remained an enigma, described by those who worked close to him as both difficult and charming, impatient, autocratic and brilliant. Born in 1901, Edward Turner was a truly gifted individual whose forceful character, design

Author Information

An active motorcyclist since 1946 in both road and competition events. Retired in 1991 as Editorial Director of the Haynes Publishing Group. regular contributor to Old Bike Mart and on irregular occasions to most other motorcycling magazines. Member of the Vintage MCC and founder of one of its Sections, also a member of the LE Velo Club. Life member of the London Douglas MCC and the Kickstart Club or Torbay. Experience of broadcasting on radio and TV.

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