The Triumph Originals custom motorcycle competition is back, putting dealer creativity center stage once again. This year, two U.S. dealerships will compete head-to-head for a chance to represent America on the global stage. The winning American dealership will advance to the global Triumph Originals competition, where entries from seven countries will compete for the overall title.
The 2026 Triumph Originals program features custom builds from Moto Julia in New Orleans and Triumph Columbia River in Portland, Oregon. Each country will collaborate with a local custom workshop to create a unique Scrambler build inspired by a specific decade or cultural era tied to the model's legacy. The U.S. portion of the competition is open to public voting.
The theme of this year's contest, 'Time Capsule,' challenges each participating team to reinterpret a defining moment in Scrambler history through modern craftsmanship and design. This motorcycle platform has long been tied to motorcycle customization culture and off-road racing heritage.
Triumph says teams from the U.K., U.S., Spain, France, Italy, China and Canada are participating in the 2026 competition. The Scrambler's roots date back to the 1950s and 1960s, when riders modified street motorcycles with knobby tires, wider handlebars and high-mounted exhaust systems to create off-road 'desert sleds'.
Riders such as Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins helped popularize the platform through desert racing and endurance competition. The modern Triumph Scrambler lineup returned in 2006 and now includes five variants combining retro-inspired styling with adventure-oriented capability.
The global public vote combined with expert judging panel will determine the overall Triumph Original 2026 winner, which will be announced this fall. This year's contest is part of a dedicated online hub featuring builder interviews, behind-the-scenes content and photos documenting the progress of each country's custom build throughout the summer.
Triumph Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud emphasizes the Scrambler platform's enduring spirit of customization. The motorcycle started out as a model made by riders, built through personal tweaks and ingenuity, and that same spirit still sits right at its heart today.
The competition highlights the customization capabilities of Triumph's dealer network and gives enthusiasts a direct role in deciding which dealership build will represent the U.S. internationally.
By putting creativity center stage, Triumph is showcasing its commitment to innovation and customer engagement. The outcome of this competition will not only determine a winner but also inspire new generations of motorcycle enthusiasts.
The Scrambler platform has a rich history in customization culture and off-road racing heritage.
