1958 Triumph Dealer School & Sales Meeting - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1958 Triumph Dealer School & Sales Meeting - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)
Condition: Good
Triumph's Great for ’58! was the theme
for the seventh annual Triumph dealer
school and sales meeting. Proof that the
many Triumph dealers, who made up a
record-breaking, shared this optimism, was
reflected by the near sell-out of the ware-
house stock of new motorcycles which the
dealers took home. Over 100 dealers, 50
mechanics, and about 25 dealers’ wives
were in attendance.
Denis McCormack, president of The
Triumph Corporation, gave a brief intro-
duction, then tossed the reins to Service
Manager Rod Coates, assisted by Cliff
Guild and Dave Ball. To cover as many
points as possible, a new 650cc Tiger 110
and an early shop demo Model 350cc
Twenty-One were stripped and reassembled.
While Coates gave his usual commen-
tary, Jack Wickes from the Triumph fac-
tory's Design department answered ques-
tions from the floor.
A special point of interest was created
when Rod Coates brought forward his
Marlboro lightweight winner and stripped
it to prove what can be done with a "dead
Standard" Cub with proper attention to
details and hair-splitting tuning.
To keep the class alert, a quiz was given
covering the two days of school. Bill
Powell and Bill Carpenter won with tied
scores.
At the sales discussions guest speakers
were Triumph’s advertising advisor, Bob
Herr, John Hostetter of Motorcycle Fi-
nance, and Mr. Edward Turner, managing
director of Triumph’s world activity, who
reviewed the acceptance of the new model
Twenty-One in world markets, and gave
some advance information on a new scoot-
er design which, when eventually produced,
will give Triumph dealers opportunities
for the most complete coverage ever offered
rhe motorized two-wheeled market.
Talks on finance, insurance, and credit
by experts in the field, were brightened by
a symposium by the four Triumph field
representatives—Mercer, Fulton, McDou-
gall, and Sollenberger—and Bill McDowell,
the new promotions chief at Towson. Many
new sales aids were introduced, most
prominent of which is Triumph’s "T” Day
announcement of new models. Finally, a
two-act skit on "How Not to Sell Tri-
umphs” and "How To Sell Triumphs” was
presented by the "Two Bit Players,” easily
recognized as the field representatives and
McDowell. The message of "Sloppy Joe’s
Sickle Shop” versus the neat backdrop of
"Honest John’s Triumph Shop” was appar-
ent to the audience who applauded the
amateur actors enthusiastically.
At the awards dinner, winning dealers
received plaques for the various categories:
Sales and Service—R. L. Paulson, Givens
Motorcycle Co., Norfolk, Va.
Outstanding Lightweight Sales and Service
—Ewin Warmack, Nashville, Tenn.
Outstanding New Dealer — Paul Engle,
Kansas City, Mo.
Outstanding Sales Improvement—Bill Par-
melee, Bridgeport, Conn.
Service Award—Red Nabors, Fayetteville,
N. C.
As a gesture of thanks on the part of
Triumph dealers and The Triumph Corp.,
Mr. McCormack presented Mr. Turner with
an award for his 22 years of outstanding
progress and leadership with Triumph
motorcycles—a beautifully inscribed silver
plate.
The final day was devoted to suppliers
and accessories. "Tri-Cor,” Triumph’s trade
name for its own accessories, was intro-
duced to the enthusiastic dealers—gratified
that Triumph-Baltimore is trying to in-
crease dealers’ profits with a complete pro-
gram, available from one efficient central
source.
The seventh annual dealer school and
sales meeting ended with all enthused
about making 1958 still another record
year.
14538-AL-5908-23
14538-AL-5803-23