Lot details
Registration No: XXA899M
Chassis No: LD2441D13W
Mot Expiry: Dec 2012

The British-built Stag was designed to compete with the established SL models from Mercedes-Benz. Like the Triumph 2000 it was developed from, it was styled by Italian maestro Giovanni Michelotti and featured the monocoque construction, fully independent suspension, disc/drum brakes, power-assisted rack and pinion steering and driveline of that Saloon. The powerplant, however, was an all new OHC V8 unit of 2997cc, fed by a pair of Zenith Stromberg carburettors. The Stag received a warm reception at the time of launch in 1970. However, views on the model quickly soured once it fell into the hands of customers. There were quibbles over build quality, but the main problems concerned the camshaft drive chains, cylinder heads, cylinder head gaskets, water pumps and waterways of the new V8 engine. In desperation, many owners resorted to removing the factory-fitted powerplants altogether - replacing them with the ubiquitous Rover V8, Ford's Essex V6 unit or even Triumph's own proven six-cylinder engine. Needless to say cars which were modified in this way are now considered far less desirable than the ones that remained unmolested. Moreover, as the years have gone by, restorers have solved the V8's problems. Had Triumph themselves managed to do so, not only would the engine have found its way into other of the company's models, but the Stag range would surely have lived a longer, infinitely more successful life. As it was, production ceased in 1977 after some 25,877 examples had been made - some 9,000 of which have survived in the UK.

The right-hand drive Stag on offer definitely falls into the unmolested category. A very nicely presented example manufactured in November 1973, it sports Red coachwork allied to a Black interior and is equipped with the optional automatic transmission. Reportedly in the same ownership for the last thirty-eight years, the past four decades are further understood to have seen the Triumph (a) always kept garaged when not in use and (b) treated to a thorough restoration. It is now being sold complete with both hard and soft tops, full documentation and history, and new tyres fitted to 15-inch wire wheels. The vendor regards the bodywork as "very good/excellent" and the paintwork, interior trim, engine and transmission as "excellent".

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor has informed us that the engine, which is the original Triumph V8, was restored 1,500 miles ago.