Triumph Stag Auto

The Stag project started out in 1965 as a show car built by Triumph's then regular stylist Michelotti of Turin, Italy, based on a Triumph 2000 Mk1. Triumph's Chief Engineer, Harry Webster, saw the car in its half-finished state and although hardly recognisable as a Triumph immediately liked the svelte 2+2 convertible. The Triumph board supported his enthusiasm for the project and developed it complete with a V8 version of Triumph's new modular OHC engine. It was launched in 1970 and featured as Sean Connery's car in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ shortly after. However, Triumph had, during the interim, become part of British Leyland and by the time of the Stag's launch the company was in trouble.

However, that made it a rarer car than originally planned and it found its feet as a classic at a very young age as specialists such as Robsport International, who worked with Ant Anstead's Evanta Motors on ORF 969P's full restoration, have developed simple cures for the overheating issues that it became known for. A well restored Stag, such as this example, is a very reliable car that feels surprisingly modern to drive and their V8 is one of the most pleasant and distinctive sounding engines ever produced.

Owned for much of its life by only one family, ORF 969P had been partially stripped for restoration when purchased. It was built on March 9th, 1976 in Triumph’s Canley Plant, Coventry, as an automatic, which suits the Stag's relaxed and stylish demeanour. It was then despatched on March 26th to British Leyland dealers Ratcliffe and Thornton Ltd in Nelson, Lancashire. Originally Delft Blue, the team made the decision to refinish the car in elegant Carmine Red, an original Stag colour, and match that with a completely new black interior and luxurious Mohair hood from Aldridge Trimming.

The car features new alloy wheels of the correct 5-spoke design as used by Triumph originally and these have been fitted with new original factory specification Michelin XAS tyres to ensure it rides and handles as Triumph intended. The suspension has been rebuilt using SuperPro polyurethane bushes and the brakes feature Goodridge hoses. The engine was rebuilt by Robsport (filled with Evans Waterless coolant) while Trans-Fix rebuilt the automatic gearbox. Every aspect of this car is as or better than new, having been completely restored to such a high standard any prospective owner can look forward to many pleasurable miles in the comfort and style that only a well sorted Stag can provide.

Statistics

Colour: Carmine Red
Specification: RHD, home market
Engine: 2997cc 
Engine details: 90˚ V8 SOHC
Production date: 9th March 1976
Production: Triumph works Canley, Coventry.
Power:  146bhp@5700rpm (Approx)
Torque: 167lb.ft@3500rpm (Approx)
Body: Steel monocoque
Maximum speed: 115mph -120mph
0-60mph: 10.7secs (Approx) (Road and Track say 11.5)
Production: 1970 – 1977

Production vol: 25,939 (Approx)