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| Lot number | 131 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £2,000 |
| Description | Triumph 13/60 Convertible |
| Registration | WCV 292J |
| Year | 1970 |
| Colour | Blue |
| Engine size | 1,296 cc |
| Chassis No. | GE72641CV |
| Engine No. | GE80738HE |
Launched in 1959, the Triumph Herald flew in the face of prevailing trends in car design by retaining a separate chassis onto which the outer panels were bolted.
This allowed the car to be built in a variety of body styles with minimal fuss – saloon, coupe, estate and convertible versions were all available. The hinged bonnet/front wing assembly also permitted generous access to the engine and front suspension, making it one of the easiest cars to work on. The design also allowed an amazingly tight turning circle, making it a doddle to manoeuvre and park.
The last derivative of the range, the Herald 13/60 appeared in 1967. As the name suggests, the 13/60 used a 1300cc 60bhp engine as fitted in the contemporary Triumph Spitfire. This lively little engine ensured that the Herald still maintained the sporty, economical performance that had made it so popular when it first appeared, with a top speed of 85mph.
To distinguish the 13/60 from earlier models a new grille and bonnet were fitted in a style similar to the six-cylinder Vitesse model. The interior received some minor improvements and in this form the 13/60 survived until production of all Herald models ended in 1971.
This particular tax exempt 13/60 dates from 1970 and came into the hands of the vendor in 2013. An older restoration, he describes it as a good solid car with a decent hood and a smart interior. It comes with an MOT which expires in April 2016, the file including a wad of bills and invoices and several manuals. The vendor advises us that it has been converted to run on unleaded petrol and according to the records, it incurred sufficient damage in 2008 for the insurance company to issue it with a Category C classification. This means that it was deemed extensively damaged but repairable, the insurer deciding not to repair it.
These rag-top Heralds must be about the best value convertibles on the market, the later ones in particular, with their lively engines, proving great fun to drive and extremely economical to run.
