Triumph Stag - a stylish 70s classic British sports car
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2024
- Drive this car yourself with a test drive at Drive Dad's Car - all details here: drivedadscar.com
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Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag, to be bold with a statement straight off the bat, is a car which should’ve never existed. But what do I mean by that?
Well, Triumph had sort of made peace with the convertible tourer market or so it seemed, because their last convertible tourer pre Stag was the late 40s Roadster 2000.
However, design genius Michelotti had other ideas. Now if you’re a Triumph fan, you’ll recognise that name, because Michelotti had worked on cars like the Herald; so Triumph knew he was a stylish, safe pair of hands.
So when he asked for Triumph 2000 to turn into a special for the 1965 Turin Motor Show, he was green lighted and given a works service support vehicle which had been used at the 65 Le Mans 24 hour race.
A deal was struck: if Michelotti produced a car which was to the liking of the Engineering team, in particular Harry Webster who was Director; Triumph could take the design and run with it as a new model.
The car then goes into production in 1970 - moving from the proposed 2 litre engine in the 2000s to a meatier 2.5 PI V8 3 litre engine.
You might ask why, considering Triumph and Rover were now under the same BL umbrella the company didn’t use the Buick V8 which was something they already had access to and understood; but here’s the thing, despite being under the same umbrella, the brands rarely collaborated without friction and they competed in the same markets.
There were arguments of course that the engine didn’t fit and there would’ve been too many last minute changes for it to be a logical choice, but again, it’s a great example of how British Leyland didn’t use the wealth of intelligence under one roof in a thoughtful way.
And yes, I know Triumph had invested lots of money in their V8 development, but at what point do you have a little give in the plans?
The car at launch, was a big hit in the UK and there was an extensive waiting list going back months. The American buying audience were keen too - but here’s the thing - the reliability held the car back from being the big hitter it needed to be.
Which is a shame, because the American market had been very much considered; especially with things like the fuel injection changing to dual zenith-stromberg carbs to meet emissions. In fact, I think it was less than 5,000 cars which made it to the US, which makes it quite the flop on the American market.
We talk about build quality variance later on being a problem, but another was the overheating problem. There were quirks to the engine which meant the way users had perhaps learnt to live with commonly known British engines used in the BL range were completely different to these new engines.
Even down to things like the block being iron and the head being aluminium; which meant corrosion inhibiting antifreeze was needed all year round and the coolant needing checking after the engine running hot; whilst these are essentially weaknesses, a bit of forecourt education might’ve lessened some of the first hurdle falls and lessened the fall out.
But all in all, a majestic car was created.
The 3 litre engine gave 146bhp, a breathtaking top speed of 120 miles per hour could allegedly be achieved and finally, a 70s non luxury car with a decent braking system! It was fitted with discs to front, drums to rear and a divided braking system with a tandem master cylinder.
The steering is as you’d expect, rack and pinion and it’s 2 and a half turns lock to lock. You’ll see how spot on the steering is later on!
Finally, for those who have never seen a Stag in the wild…or at a car show…it is roughly 14ft5inches long and 5ft3 inches wide which in new money is 4.4 metres by 1.61 metres
Now, it would be lazy to sit here and run the car down, because what was once a complicated mixed bag of good and bad, has come good because…
In today’s world, the Stag is probably one of the most loved Triumphs and the retention rates are good. Of the circa 25,800 made, just under 9,000 remain in existence; which isn’t bad good really!
And finally,
Many thanks to my dear friend and journalist Sam Skelton for all the help on this car today. 
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Love the outfit........Reminds me of what my mum wore back then.
A beautiful car and a beautiful lady wearing a stunning dress.
I also drove this Triumph stag at Drive Dad's car and it's a joy to drive.
Glad you enjoyed your drive 🙂
Finally, after 54 years, I find someone who has noticed that delicious little Ambla tab on the glovebox door. Thanks, Steph!
Steph is very watchable. Nice work, informed and entertaining.
Just looks so classy, the UK made some great looking cars in the past.
Yes the. V8 engine has one of the best exhaust notes ever. Nice video
Steph has a dress for every occasion and all in combining compatible colours ! Hehehe.
Lovely the father of my high school sweetheart drove a red one . That was in 1983 when I was 15.
Enjoyed the video Steph. Had my manual overdrive Stag seven years now. I don’t think you mentioned it but the steering wheel does adjust up and down, plus in and out.
I've only seen one American-spec here in Hawai'i about 50 years ago. Saw quite a few British-spec examples when I lived in Suffolk, though. Always liked these cars for their distinctive styling and rarity.
Always loved the Stag; to me, it's one of the most beautiful cars Triumph ever made, and yes, a lot more driving time on a long open road is what you would need to make the most of it.
A friend of mine ones one (here in Southern Germany). He's a professional mechanic who is running a garage for all brands. Even he had the well known issues with the (rebuilt) V8 engine. Thanks for this Stag feature, Steph. See you soon --- Martin
What a beautiful and stunning sample. Thank you for the reviev Steph and you suit it so good. Despite the lacking built quality, it is still one of the british classic cars I would love to have for the sunday journeys. ☺☺
Oh same!
I love every video you make and I absolutely love the Triumph Staaag. Maybe because it has a few flaws. The Stag, not you! You are just perfect 🙂. Your tasteful outfit complements the car color perfectly. And you present all the facts and driving emotions so well. Very enjoyable to watch. If I win the lottery, I will buy you a Stag. Pinky promise!
Criminal underdevelopment on what could/should well have been one of the worlds great cars.
Inca Yellow 💛 I recently had a Maxi in this colour. When I was at secondary school in the 2000s my teacher had a Triumph Stag, I thought she was the coolest person ever!
This museum is THE place to see !!! We visited it in july 2022 with our British friends. What a souvenir ! I really enjoyed that moment and we even spoke to the owner 🙏👍😊
Thank you for your kind words - so pleased to hear you enjoyed your visit!
A geeky fact about the Stag in the video is that the oil pressure gauge is an aftermarket fitment. Even though the gauge was made by Smiths, it doesn't quite match. It took the place of the Smiths clock that would have originally been in that position.
True- although if you want to be really geeky most of the clocks (as in tell the time clocks) we’re not Smiths but Kienzil- which I have probably spelt wrongly as I’m too lazy to out to my Stag in the garage to check 😉
BL could always be relied on to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The correct fuel consumption on a good V8 should be smiles per gallon. Good review Steph.
Absolutely stunning , and the car as well 😉
CREEPY.....
That leather pull tab was homemade by someone. The oil pressure gauge obviously doesn’t match. There was originally a clock in that position. A late TR6 oil gauge would have been an exact match. My first 1973 Stag was on its third engine before 20,000 miles, and that was in 1982.
There was a white one in Auckley Doncaster and everyone loved that car 🤠🙏🤟 90s
What an awesome sound. Nicely reviewed😃thank you
Great review. Always a fantastic sound from a Stag. Thanks Steph.
One of my favourite cars😊 great video
It is a gorgeous looking car. I would have one in a heartbeat...
It really suits you Steph 😍 My uncle had a Mk1 Triumph 2000 when I was a kid in the 70's and that over heated regularly too.
Is it arrogant to say ‘I know, so why don’t I have one?!’
@@idriveaclassic Not at all, perfect match. I think you should go for one Flower 😉
I had a 2000 Mk1 in the 70s too. I was young then, and a bit of a boy racer, so it was often driven hard, and the temperature never rose above medium. A few years before that, a friend in high school used to borrow his mother's 2000 a lot, and with a car full of classmates he would bait other motorists into racing on country roads. He REALLY thrashed it, but the motor never overheated. Incidentally, he was seldom beaten, even by much more powerful cars. (probably due more to his recklessness and willingness to over-rev his mum's car, than to the ability of the Triumph).
This was in NZ, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 40 C, so I wonder if overheating maybe occurs in hotter climates?
@@jaygee5693 That's interesting 🤔, This was an auto and UK so I think the temp is just as cool if not cooler.
A stylish beauty...
Loved seeing these cars about as a kid in the 70's...the sound of the engine as they went by as a kid...also Hope Tina is doing ok?
When I was a boy, dad had a Mk2 2.5 PI auto (gorgeous dark blue with light grey trim) - a very handsome car, which I loved, and shared many of the Michelotti design features (front and rear, wood dash instrument layout). The engine sounded good too. But the Stag took it to another level…
I do so enjoy your videos, always full of details, always wanted a Stag, but with a Rover V8, yes, I will be driving Dads car later this year
Excellent! Look forward to welcoming you soon 🙂
Best reaction ever Steph ! I would trade my TR6 for a Stag in a heartbeat, if there was a willing taker !
Sell your tr6 then the values are similar 😂
Happy New Year Steph. You clearly enjoyed that one very much - I think you need one!
I dooooo. I also need the funds to run it
Brilliant top car ,good review , people ignored maintenance, Yep in the garages we never had any trouble with them , mainly because they were in for service , the only car we drove the long way back to its owner , most stags have been well sorted years ago ,
Great Video as always. I drive a yellow Triumph Herald 13/60 convertible. All the boogie best. Terry Miles 🤠
Lovely! Great choice
Nice to see you here Terry. Loved the Triumph christmas Tree collection caper. All the boogie best back to you and yours !
@@philiptidmarsh Thank You Philip. I really like this channel. I’m live-streaming today ( Sunday 7th ) on my RUclips Channel at 5:15pm - UK Time. Hope you can join us. All the Boogie Best. Terry 🤠🙏
Thanks for sharing Steph, a lovely bright colour.😊👍
It really is!
WHATA LOVELY CAR THANKYOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH US
Engine sounds wonderful
Nice one Steph, a great quick review of a true classic that really should have sold brilliantly. The style was nigh on perfect as where 'most' of the mechanicals that were carried over from the 2000 I guess. I'll not go into the troubles with the engine cooling or build quality as the web is a wash with that. That sound is epic though. If I recall correctly (probably not) but the decision to go for a V8 was for the US. Personally I would love one but I don't have the space to store it safely or afford to run it. This car really does suite you though, this was even before the throttle blip. This must now be one of your dream cars. Many thanks for sharing and a happy new year to you.
You certainly appear at one with the Stag, Steph! . . .🙏
Absolutely!
As a used car dealer for a time in the 80s, my dad would sometimes take cars off the forecourt and run them himself for a while, especially if they weren't selling. I think the Stag made him feel like the business especially for the golf club run. Which is probably where he sold it as he didn't have it for very long. But a fond memory is seeing him in it beaming away. Probably his favourite car ever.
Hi Steph, thanks for the video. Have a great 2024.
Thanks Steph the Stag was my mum’s favourite car. Great video!
That car suits you down to the ground!
I thought Stef was going to pee her pants when she put her foot down 😂 nice to hear the V8 👍🏻
Hahahahah. Gotta get those kicks in.
She was very excited, which is fun to see
nice, love the colour
Thanks for a good review. It was like my test drive of a Stag here in the States. The low fuel light was on for me also. I did not buy it, but the salesman said come back when i win the lottery! The safety in the braking system was in thanks to the USA. We dropped out of the soft top market when we thought the feature was going to be taken away by the government. It never happened. Hopefully, this Triumph will find a good home.
My favourite car ever ❤ & I'm pleased you looked after it cos thanks to xmas I get to have a go in that soon 😂
Beautiful car for sure, many thanks Steph 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇬🇧🇮🇪
I've always loved the Triumph Stag, sure they had their issues back in the day but that's can all be sorted now, if I could afford one I'd have one.
Oh and Steph you look amazing! Love that outfit.
Lovely review of a fabulous car, thanks for avoiding any temptation to recycle bar-room nonsensical misinformation. I have owned mine since 1994, every time that i thought about selling it just one drive changed my mind
Clearly, you were smitten 😍.
Thanks for an interesting video.
Hi Steph, That was a great review, almost stop-on. I have owned my Stag a 1976 Mk2 (named The Red Devil) because it has a triple 666 number plate). I have owned this fantastic car for 43 years now and I can tell you everything has been sorted, for the engine, body panel etc the club is fantastic with lots of history and support, you can't go wrong, get one, (You only live once). And that beautiful engine sound track will be your reward every time you go out, You may have seen my car it was in the Triumph area at the Bicester scramble 8th October 23 just up from the Lancaster Insurance stand. Happy New Year Bob
My Dad's Rover had the letters BZB in the number so we called it Beelzebub.
Has your car got the original Triumph 3 litre V8?
@@paulchenery8013 yes, it has had one full rebuild after I laid it up for a few year which it didn’t like. It is running beautifully now. Thanks for asking Bob
Ours share a similar story, dad bought it in '76. Dad has gone now and the car is with me.
It's just a bit stuck in my garage at the moment. The new auto box inhibit switch is either out of adjustment or failed. Won't start and the passenger door is up against the garage wall.
I'm waiting for warmer weather when I'll cast a spell of "gymnastic contortionism" and wiggle into the right pose to tackle it.
@@djtaylorutube Hi David, that a lovely history you have with that Stag, Did your Dad buy it new in 1976? If you are a member of the Stag Owners Club I’m sure there would be someone in your area that would help you and may have other idea’s, good luck with the work, let’s us know how you get on. Bob
An "All Systems Go" wheel, huh?! I think I might have seen this Triumph vehicle at a local classic car show here in America months back.
Almost 5000 cars made it stateside. That's a lot more than I thought, if I'm honest.
I can assure you Steph that the cute little leather tab on the glove box is what somebody has added themselves, because the glove box is so ineptly designed that you push on a button to release it, with nothing to pull on, so you’re pressing the door up when you want it to drop down. Stupid. Apart from the glove box on the 1977 2500S I owned for two years kept dropping open over bumps in the road when I first got it. I used to love 2000 and 2500 saloons as my uncle owned five or six in the 70s, Mk1 and Mk2, PI, automatics and overdrive models. I got a manual overdrive 2500S in the 2000s which turned out to be cosmetically restored but a bit of a rot box underneath. It probably had the best engine of any classic I owned once I’d had a few faults and oil leaks fixed, though the diff had some backlash and you could feel driveline shunt at low speeds. The build quality was pure BL though. And that’s pretty much what killed the Stag’s chances in America. A Mercedes-Benz SL it was not.
Jesus ! Hearing you exclaim that when you accelerated really made me laugh. Excellent review of an underrated car. Typical '70's BL sadly, snatch defeat from the jaws of success.
Thank you
I don't think the leather tag on the glove box is original but it is needed when you haven't the key to aid you.
Where the oil pressure gauge sits, there would of once been an 12 hour clock.
Haha wiper action for Ian . . . Bit of a triangle of doom there.
Great review and still one of my dream cars to have in my imaginary 10 car garage. A local garage in Lampton (Hounslow), maybe Peak Performance Cars, used to always have a great selection of them which made me drool as I filled my Toledo. They keep popping up here in the States, but they are all in a terrible shape and/or have the horrors of a Chevy V8 conversion. One day...
Stunning vedeo, as usual.
Thank you
nice video keep em coming💓❣
Great driving review, "I haven't felt that alive in ages", LOL...
Great video,! It is probably the UK's most loved classic car. ❤ This was well presented, and described. A joy to watch. Such detail and pointers. I had my Stag for 29 years and I still learnt lots from this video. Brilliant. Share this with friends and family. It's a Triumph💜 😊
One of my dream cars but it must be a purple one and convertible. Great video Steph.
The purple colour is called magenta. Lovely British Leyland colour.
@@jamescourt4703 I have a recollection that 70% of them were sold in white. Certainly when I bought a blue one, I discovered the original white paint underneath.
They are all convertibles. The hardtop is removable.
Great video Steph, always enjoy your comments. I am a TR250 owner, would love to see you drive one.
What happened to your road tests? I feel I could drive the compound you use in my sleep now.
Take care, Jim
Yes, driving a car around an industrial estate at 20 mph isn't particularly exciting to me.
Hi Jim, anything filmed borrowed from the GBCJ is filmed on the estate. Other road tests have actual road footage. Hope this helps.
Beautiful outfit as always Steph! ❤ x
We need to get her a black hat. Or white top for the Stag.
Jerry Seinfeld mentioned this channel on Spike's Car Radio.
That’s how I found this channel too. It was Jerry Seinfeld who mentioned it on the podcast. Nice to know you also have such a well known following.
A well sorted Stag is a wonderful thing!
Timeless styling, it still looks good today!
Thanks for another wonderful balanced review Steph, of a car I have never especially rated. However, that engine roar is glorious and wonderful, what an elegant and refined car! I was wrong to underestimate the Stag. Sadly it's extremely unlike I'll see one, and I'll never get to drive one, as we have nothing like the Great British Car Journey here on the Canadian West Coast. I am so envious that you have such an amazing museum in the UK, that also includes a chance to drive such wonderfully interesting and exciting vehicles!
One of the best looking and sounding cars ever made! I believe that if someone made them now, with good quality control, they would sell😎
Have you reviewed the Jaguar XJ-S ? For it would seem real competitors! Everything you said about the ST-T-A-A-AGG Would ring true with this one XJ-S!
Jolly nice review here
Well done.
You do such a good job of these videos Steph. As good as three cans of Red Bull eh?
Interesting.....you seemed to love it before you appeared to drive it 😊
Wonderful Car Steph, wonderful review. I share your joy with the Stag.
Great review of a great car. Ever since I could remember I have wanted a Stag, but I love all the Triumph range from the 1300 to the Acclaim.
Fun Fact. The term 'all systems go' was coined by Harry Webster
I seem to remember someone offering a V6 conversion for these as the original motors were so troublesome, a Mate of mine had one of these back in the day but he eventually gave up on it as you could never guarantee getting back home after a day out.
Same problem as with RoverV8, with low gearing with the Ford Essex. Too low revving to give it any kind of top speed.
Less power too, so all round not the greatest swap.
Troublesome is an understatement .The engine was a nightmare .Iregularly worked on one that a friend of mine insisted on buying . Never again thankfully
Triumph 2500s engine bolts straight in that was a v popular conversion to get around the v8 woes. Nit as powerful but definitely powerful enough!
At last you tested a Stag ! I've been waiting ages for that ! 😊
Glad you liked it, they're utterly fab. I have one with triumph 2500s 6 cyl engine, manual + overdrive, which for me is the best combination: Smooth, reliable and good economy.
I also gave a moggy traveller, and switching between the two .. well the novelty has never worn off 🙂
@idriveaclassic Steph, if you get a chance, take a manual-overdrive Stag out in the summer with the roof down What you had here was one branch of Stag motoring (having had an auto, I found it a bit slushy) but a manual O/D, and roof off cruising really is something else again 🥰
This brings back a lot of memories, my Dad had an M reg automatic one in red, must try and get up to the Great British Car journey and have a go as I never drove his (i was just a child at the time though!!) Thanks Steph. :)
I knew of a few transplants with the P76 engine (269) here in NZ, went very well, unsurprisingly. Always hankered after a hardtop model but they were beyond me cost wise. Thanks Steph.
Yes it was also common to put the 4.4 Litre V8 from the P76 in them in Australia, The factory stag engine couldn't tolerate Australian heat and generally died early with warped heads and blown head gaskets.
The vast majority have hardtops but many owners take them off and leave them off.
Very good review glad you like it. i absolutely love mine. it turns heads people waving and flashing there lights and the sound of the tv8 awesome.mine was registered the same year and month i was born both 50 this year 😂
Coventry Classic
Outstanding. Thank you.
Agree with you, that V8 is 🌫️, so much so a decade ago i joined the SOC with view to buying one. Sadly realised after couple of years i didn't have the skills, indoor space to look after one and do it justice it deserves😢. Still get pangs when i hear or see one.
I loved my Triumph Vitesse and, later on my Chicane (2500TC), also, my grandfather owned a Gloria - all of which makes me a bit of a Triumph fan. Two extra points of interest: 1. the Stag (as I recall) pioneered the innovative and practical T-top roof; 2. the V8 was actually two Triumph Dolomite/SAAB 99 slant-fours mated to a common crankcase.
Thanks and best regards, Colin.
You forget the Triumph Vitesse Convertible, a perfectly good touring car
It was classed as a convertible saloon. A technicality I know, but this is word from triumph…
Always loved the Stag - and there's no sound quite like that engine (glub-lub-lub!)
Great style let down by the build quality as in so many Brit cars of the day ,,
Great 😊👍
The traction control light comes on even at slow speeds
I can vouch that this was THE car that many boys in the early 1970s wanted their father to leave them off to school in, just as all their friends were arriving. And as much as I liked the later TR7, I still think that Purdey should have been given one of these to drive instead... much classier.
Exactly what my dad did! I was 12 when dad bought his one year old Stag in 1976.
Dad has gone now but the car came to me and still with me. A car with many family memories.
They were offered in the States, but flop is the right word I suppose….you’ll hardly find one today….and I bet a few were repowered.
Great video Steph; listening to it as I'm doing some boring data entry...the sound of that engine is glorious. I will play the lottery this weekend methinks.
Great informative vid. It's been mentioned by another poster here but have to say I'm shocked the name doesn't exist today. The information circle in the dash, the twin headlamp look sometimes side by side, sometimes one above the other, window winders that fold flush. So many really nice design touches that are pure Triumph!
Yeah that fuel warning light... Any time below half full.
Whilst I am a 4x4 type of person, I am increasingly wanting to have a classic such as this. The Triumph Stag is something that I used to like when I was in primary school. I would prefer a manual though. I would equally be happy with a Triumph TR7 which I always thought were super trendy. A more recent vehicle of course.