Few cars are truly in a class of their own, but the Triumph Stag is one of the elite. Here’s a four seater convertible with a V8 under the bonnet, and while other such cars are available they are far larger and substantially more expensive due to their Mercedes and Rolls-Royce badges. So if you’re after a British classic and want to transport up to four people al fresco in a hurry, with a wonderful V8 soundtrack, the Stag is your only option.
Triumph came in 1923 for the first time on the market with a car; 10/20. In previous years, Triumph had become famous in the manufacture of bicycles and motorcycles. The 10/20 was in 1927 joined by the Super 7. In the thirties followed, the higher the market ranking, Gloria and Dolomite models. Even the Dolomite was available with eight cylinder in-line compressor engines! In the thirties was Donald Healey (who would later be known as creator of the Austin Healey) head of development at Triumph. Donald Healey won in his class with a Triumph Gloria during the Rally Monte Carlo in 1934.
In 1936, Triumph was financially hard up again. Triumph had to come up with new models to bring sales back on track. By the outbreak of World War II Triumph had no chance; the factory in Coventry was bombed by the Germans. Through this tragic coincidence Triumph went bankrupt in 1944. After the war, was the owner of the Standard Motor Company, Mr. John Black, pondering how he could transcend the ordinariness of its standard products. Black Standard delivered engines to the Swallow Sidecar Company (later Jaguar Cars) who built his engines beautiful sports cars. John Black saw this with sorrow and decided itself to build sports cars. Black decided to buy Triumph in 1945, his company was called from that moment the Standard-Triumph Company.
John Black and his men went straight to work to breathe new life into Triumph. Was built based on a modified Standard chassis and using the 1800 engine (which was also delivered to Swallow), the first post-war Triumph, the 1800. The 1800 was 1946 marketed as 18T and Saloon and Roadster 18TR. The 18TR roadster was not quite what John Black of the expected Triumph sports car, the engine was enlarged to 2000 cc. which created the Triumph Roadster 2000TR.
In 1948 Jaguar went surprised the automotive world with the sleek Jaguar XK 120. The XK 120 made it a top speed of 190 km / h, had a modern lines and was, above all, affordable compared to exotics like Ferrari and Aston Martin. John Black decided it was time also to follow a different path with the Triumph sports cars. In the postwar years, America had become a market of great significance, MG did good business. Black decided to position the newly built Triumph sports between MG and Jaguar. And so it happened; In 1952, Triumph presented a prototype, the TS 20 that would later be called TR 1. The 20TS / TR 1 did not come into production as presented.
After further development, the Triumph TR 2 was launched in 1953. The TR 2 was a no-frills sports car with a top speed of 160 km / h., Robust and very characteristic shape . The model was a hit and soon sales in Europe and America began to get going. From the beginning, published every two years improved versions that showed the latest technical and minor changes each time.
In 1955 Triumph TR 3 appeared on the market, the first production car with standard disc brakes on the front wheels, and a custom grille. In 1957 appeared the TR3a on the market, once the grille was changed (now the entire vehicle width), the headlights were placed slightly backwards and the car was equipped with door handles. A short time afterwards the TR 3b appeared with an increased displacement. The TR 3 was a huge sales success for Triumph.
The Italian designer Michelotti was late fifties attracted to draw a family car for Triumph Herald. During this period, the Supervisory Board received plenty of quirky, unpredictable behavior of John Black and relieved him of his command. John Black was succeeded by his assistant Allick Dick. Dick was convinced that Triumph needed a strong partner to survive in the long term … There followed talks with Leyland Truck & Bus company and in 1961 Triumph became part of Leyland Motor Corporation *. The new technical director Harry Webster was very impressed with the design of Michelotti. Webster gave Michelotti to design a successor to the TR 3 and also to design a smaller, cheaper, MG sports car to be able to cope. The MG counterpart in 1962 appeared in the form of the Triumph Spitfire and the next branch of the tree TR was the Triumph TR 4. The Triumph TR 4 was largely based on TR 3b mechanics but the appearance was a completely different car. Bright sleek flowing lines and a rugged / rugged appearance characterized the TR 4. Functionally there was much improved, the TR now had a spacious interior and an easily accessible engine compartment. The TR 4 was continuously refined; 1964 TR 4a was published (with some detail changes) and 4a IRS independent rear suspension. The sixties were Triumphs heyday, the TR 4 sold well and the cheaper Triumph Spitfire was an absolute bestseller.
In 1967 Triumph TR 5 appeared on the market, this was the first production car was fitted with fuel injection (mechanical injection of Luke). The TR 5 was, after details on, identical to the TR 4. However, the TR 5 was fitted with a 150 horsepower SAE. delivering six cylinder engine. For the US market gasoline injection was not suitable (maintenance complexity and sensitivity to noise); it was decided to equip the American version with two carburetors, leaving about 25 hp. was handed this American version was called TR 250. late sixties Triumph was working on a prestigious project in 1970 would result in the Triumph Stag. The TR patronage was tired of the TR 4/5/250 design allowing Triumph was forced to come up with a successor TR. The “Stag” project, however, took so much money that Triumph had only limited resources at hand to develop the TR successor. Fortunately they found in the German company Karmann the right partner to do the job. Karmann had design facilities and possibilities to carry out the production Triumph preparation whereby a lot of work has been taken out of the hands. Karmann decided to maintain the good of the TR sports car series and only show the front and back of the Michelotti design reshape without changing the underlying structure.
In 1968, the TR successor appeared in the form of the Triumph TR 6 was given an even stronger, more powerful, and the appearance, mainly American, TR which was very enthusiastic. TR 6 had a more convenient trunk, more visible lighting and of course the six-cylinder engine of the TR5 / 250 TR 6 was sold better than any previous TR models! The last European TR 6 was delivered in January 1975 and the last American TR 6 in 1976! The last real classic British roadster had fallen prey to US security lobby (open cars were unsafe), and to the success of the Datsun 240 Z which the patronage offered a new sports car concept. Triumph responded late with the introduction of the TR 7 which However, by using a four-cylinder engine was no alternative to the Datsun 240 Z. the Datsun 240Z offered just as much power as the European Triumph TR 5 and TR 6 with injection, 150 hp SAE. something the Americans until then had not lived to see!
The introduction of the TR 8, TR open the worthy successor, equipped with a powerful V8 engine, had to turn the tide. Unfortunately, the TR 8 late and was Triumph’s financial situation was so bad that the proud brand had to close the factory gates Right now Triumph is one of the many dormant British brands. According to our sources, the name ownership of the Rover Group. Because the Rover group much energy into the MG brand, and with it is successful, we consider the probability excluded that they will do the same with Triumph.
Triumph is a brand with a beautiful, secluded, history of which only remained preserved sports cars and memories can be cherished. the large crowd Triumph enthusiasts and riders worldwide since the eighties of the last century, several companies arise that Triumph parts to manufacture. More than 95% of the parts for all Triumph TR type today is new for sale again.