When the Acclaim made its bow on 7 October 1981, certain automotive traditionalists regarded it as an interloper, a Japanese Honda bearing a true-Brit Triumph badge. There was a certain irony in that Nissan had made the Austin A40 Somerset under licence nearly 30 years earlier, but the first Anglo-Japanese car was undeniably a crucial model for British Leyland. 

When BL’s HQ at Longbridge first contemplated working with another manufacturer in 1978, this was partially due to the recent cancellation of the Dolomite’s replacement, known as the “Triumph SD2”. BL considered a vast array of firms as potential partners, with Chrysler as the first choice. Talks concluded with the sale of the American firm’s European operations to PSA Peugeot-Citroen, while Renault was another option, with Leyland selling the forthcoming 9 in the UK.

Eventually, negotiations with Honda began in October 1978. On 26 December 1979, the two companies signed an agreement for BL to build a version of the Honda Ballade, a saloon version of the Civic Mk2. Leyland invested some £80 million in the Cowley plant outside Oxford to prepare for “Project Bounty”.

Modifications to the Honda included twin Keihin carburettors from Japan on the 1,335cc overhead camshaft engine, new seats and interior décor that would appeal to British customers. Honda also agreed not to sell the Ballade in the UK, to further the new Triumph’s chances.