The Triumph Stag is a British car sold between 1970 and 1978 by the Triumph Motor Company, styled by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. Envisioned as a luxury sports car, the Triumph Stag was a four-seater convertible coupé, but for structural rigidity – and to meet new American rollover standards of the time – the Stag required a B-pillar "roll bar" hoop connected to the windscreen frame by a T-bar. A removable hardtop was a popular factory option for the early Stags, and was later supplied as a standard fitment. Powered by the Triumph 3.0 litre OHC V8 engine, producing 146 bhp. 0-160 mpg took 4.9 secs. Maximum speed 120 mph. 25,939 units were made.
The combination of design, manufacturing and maintenance flaws caused a large number of engine failures. The model was known for its mechanical unreliability, usually in the form of overheating. Many owners simply replaced the engine altogether, often with the Rover V8, Ford Essex V6, Buick 231 V6, or with the Triumph 6-cylinder engine around which the car was originally designed. The Triumph Stag has sizeable club and owner support and a number of specialist suppliers. Its popularity is due to its performance, comparative rarity and its Michelotti styling. The problems associated with the car over the years have been solved by those enthusiast clubs supporting the Stag, elevating this classic to its intended place in popularity envisioned by its designers. (wikipedia)
The combination of design, manufacturing and maintenance flaws caused a large number of engine failures. The model was known for its mechanical unreliability, usually in the form of overheating. Many owners simply replaced the engine altogether, often with the Rover V8, Ford Essex V6, Buick 231 V6, or with the Triumph 6-cylinder engine around which the car was originally designed. The Triumph Stag has sizeable club and owner support and a number of specialist suppliers. Its popularity is due to its performance, comparative rarity and its Michelotti styling. The problems associated with the car over the years have been solved by those enthusiast clubs supporting the Stag, elevating this classic to its intended place in popularity envisioned by its designers. (wikipedia)
Probably the only one in existence of the three factory sanctioned
Stag fastback prototypes from the 1960s.
(myweb.tiscali.co.uk)
(myweb.tiscali.co.uk)
(Photos from flickr.com)
