Triumph Stag Manual

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The Stag started as a Michelotti styling experiment cut and shaped from a Triumph 2000 saloon previously styled by Michelotti and loaned to him by Harry Webster, Director of Engineering at Triumph.

Their agreement was that if Webster liked the design, Triumph could use the prototype as the basis of a new Triumph model. Webster, who was a longtime friend of Michelotti, absolutely loved the result and spirited the prototype back to England.

The engine Triumph chose for the Stag was a V8, formed in theory by placing two slant four motors together. Specified with overhead camshafts in aluminium cylinder heads on top of an iron block, the motor promised and delivered nice woofly dollops of power. Fed by twin Stromberg carburettors (after experiments with fuel injection proved unsatisfactory) the Stag V8 had great tuning potential but as standard gave a healthy 145bhp.

A full four-seat convertible that came with both hard and soft top choices, it also had electric windows, power steering and power brakes, all adding to the feelgood factor experienced by the new Stag owner as he listened to his favourite tunes coming through the eight track stereo or tuned into the latest chart hits on the new Radio 1 station.

It wasn’t all good though, and the Stag suffered reliability problems with its V8 engine which cursed the car almost from the word go. The timing chains stretched and there were overheating problems which led to many Stags gaining alien engines in their capacious bays. Ford V6 Essex engines and the Rover V8 were common conversions plus a few more horrendous ideas including a Perkins diesel!

Supported by an enthusiastic owners club and with plentiful parts back up from suppliers such as Rimmer Brothers, there is now no reason not to have a reliable Stag and surviving examples have long since had any teething troubles thoroughly ironed out.

First registered in June 1974, this desirable manual overdrive Stag looks great in period bright green with a very smart black interior. It comes with a vast history file showing regular careful maintenance including bills and photos documenting a major restoration in 1992-93 when the car had covered some 76,500 miles (the speedo only showing some 84,800 miles today).

Between 2004 and 2006 the car was treated to a second major bout of expenditure which included: a rebuilt engine; new cam chain kit; new seat covers and foams; new rear springs; polybushed suspension; rebuilt diff and a stainless steel sports exhaust (which sounds epic!). In 2010 it had a new soft top and in 2012 a new steering rack and a new battery.

In the current ownership since 2006 the car is said to drive beautifully and is due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale. Supplied with both hard and soft tops it looks stonking value at the guide price suggested - once you hear the exhaust note, we guarantee you will be smitten!