Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Innovative engineering (arguably the world’s first multi- valve production engine) and clever marketing (it foresaw the sports-saloon boom) let down by really crappy manufacturing: the original ‘135’ name had to be dropped as they couldn’t build engines that could reliably make that much power, despite the design being good for 150bhp.
Triumph TR7
History has not been kind to Triumph’s final sports car; the wedge styling is neither timeless nor retro-chic: just heavy and dated. Frankly, current affairs weren’t kind to the TR7 either; it moved factory three times in its six-year life, and none could build it properly.
Triumph Acclaim
A deeply ordinary car, but interesting as the first Japanese car to be built in Europe. The badge said Triumph but the Acclaim was a Honda Ballade underneath and the first car from the BL-Honda tie-up that kept the British car industry on life support for a while. Decent build quality, but you’ve Honda to thank for that, and it wasn’t enough to save Triumph.
Triumph 2000
Stylish, comfortable and quick by the standards of the day, the 2000 and its successors were appealing, Alfa-esque sports saloons. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, who also penned Maseratis and defined BMW’s look to this day, this car and aesthetic could have inspired future Triumphs the way William Lyons’ Jaguar XJ of ’68 set that brand’s tone for 40 years.
Triumph Herald
Another Triumph whose shape is instantly recognizable, even if the vast majority have long since rusted away. Try to see that familiar shape with fresh eyes though: it’s also the work of Michelotti and spawned five body variants and three sports cars, presaging today’s niche-crazy car market by half a century.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
"Love is a word that can mean many things. Sometimes it’s felt physically – an embrace after a hard day at work and sometimes it’s only the company that matters. Sometimes, we love through our efforts, and sometimes those "
"They say that in London you’re never more than six feet away from a rat. Gary Inman - Sideburn Magazine publisher/editor and aficionado of biking subcultures remembers a lost coterie of dark clad urban rebels. Where once motorcycles "
"Queen B: Normalisation. Becky Evans is at the forefront of a new digitally inspired generation of women redefining what it means to love driving. The Influencers The Women's motorcycle exhibition Gallery Images: Mike Fordham It's a rare break "
Where is the best Triumph of all time? That wonderful sounding delicious Stag V8 ? (If you got the post fix versions!!)
I had a GT6 chassis with a Spitfire body to make it convertible. The gearbox mountings had to be alterred, and the prop shaft shortened and balanced. It had a Vitesse rear spring, and with the overdrive would reach around 140mph with ease. Great little car!!
That car trailer is the best use of a Triumph I’ve ever seen!