Triumph Herald 13/60

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By the late '50s, Triumph were one of the few manufacturers still building cars using a separate chassis and were certainly way out on their own when they introduced a completely new model range using this construction at the end of the decade.

It did have its advantages, allowing 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 1,300cc 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 very late model 13/60 was first registered in April 1971 and has had just four owners from new, the current owner acquiring it six years ago. He has spent a lot of time and effort improving the car including fitting a 2-litre twin carb engine from a Triumph 2000 and a Dolomite overdrive gearbox. He has also fitted door locking mechanisms from a Triumph 2000, these being vastly superior to the standard Herald fixtures which were prone to see the doors flying open during spirited driving!

Additional instruments have also been fitted to the dash and more sporting Vitesse ribbed aluminium bumpers fitted front and rear. A real wolf in sheep’s clothing, the car is said to drive very well although the vendor points out that there is a noticeable vibration at 50mph which leads him to think that the propshaft could do with balancing.

Very sound both above and beneath, the car has an MOT until April 2017 with no advisories recorded and also comes with an original owner’s handbook. Being offered here at no reserve, it will make a surprisingly nippy runabout for the fortunate new owner.