Triumph 1300

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Triumph introduced their front-wheel drive 1300 at the 1965 London show. Styled by Michelotti, it resembled a small Triumph 2000, incorporating a tasteful upmarket wood trim interior designed to appeal to Triumph’s traditional middle class clientele.

Taking a rather different approach to its Austin and Morris counterparts, the engine was mounted north/south with the gearbox sitting underneath. Using separate oil compartments, it was a neat and practical solution, maintenance being particularly easy, although it was at the expense of a rather high bonnet line. Front suspension was of double wishbone type with semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear, like the 2000.

The 61bhp 1,296cc engine was carried over from the Herald 13/60 and was mated to a 4-speed all-synchromesh gearbox giving respectable 90mph performance. Some 113,000 Triumph 1300 models were sold before it morphed into the Toledo in 1971, its similarly styled, if more conventional, rear-wheel drive replacement.

First registered in August 1968, this 1300 had just one owner from new until 2004 when it was acquired for the Stondon Museum Collection. It is showing just under 30,500 miles on the clock which is said to be genuine. In good running order with an MOT until October 2016, it also comes with its original bill of sale from 1968 and an owner’s handbook.