Highlights

• One of just 12 Mk1 Vitesse Estates believed to have been built and the only currently road-worthy example
• Judged as a “condition 1” vehicle by the Triumph Sport Six club
• Fastidiously restored by the previous owner and with just two owners in the last 40+ years
• Unbelievable condition and truly unique 
  
  

The Appeal

This is perhaps why only 12 Mk1 Vitesse Estates are believed to have been built with this example thought to be the sole surviving road worthy example in the world today.

The History and Paperwork

• The car was first registered to a dealer in Brixton on 12th January 1968
• The car was then sold to a solicitor in Wembley in October 1968
• Several owners enjoyed the car’s charms until the previous owner acquired the car in 1980
• During the previous owner’s tenure, the car underwent a fastidious, ground-up restoration
• The restoration addressed all areas of the vehicle both mechanical and cosmetic
• The car was then acquired by the current owner, a friend of the previous owner, in 2013
• The car is only now for sale due to a health condition impeding access
• The car includes some fascinating provenance providing paperwork
• These include a copy of the original registration document
• A ledger detailing all receipts that are included with the car….running to three pages
• A copy of an Autocar classified advertisement for this particular car
• An original factory paintwork schedule which was found under the carpet upon restoration
• A detailed pictorial record of the restoration is present
• The current V5 registration document is also present
• The car is registered as a historic vehicle so is understood to be MOT and VED exempt
• The original Buff Log Book is the only real way to prove provenance that this is a genuine Park Royal Estate as they are know in the Triumph World
  
  

The Interior

• The interior appears to be predominantly original and in a charming period condition
• The black leather seat covers are in fine, overall condition 
• The black carpet set appears to be in a very good overall condition
• The wood veneer dash is populated by a number of original Smiths gauges
• The veneer presents very well
• Ahead of the steering wheel is the large speedometer and tachometer so evocative of the period
• A delightful, three spoked Triumph steering wheel is fitted
• The door cards are finished in black vinyl and appear to be in good overall shape with integral pockets
• The doors and rear panels are wood capped, a feature carried over from the Vitesse saloon
• The car features a fabric sunroof which operates effortlessly and transforms the cabin
• A period-correct push-button radio is fitted but is not currently working
• The boot area features protective aluminium strips
• The rear bench folds easily to provide a near flat, and very capacious, luggage area
• A lidded section houses the jack, wheel brace and tools
  
  

A real time-capsule of an interior this one. In great order throughout and with an emphasis on the more sporty nature of the Vitesse with its straight-six engine.

There’s some great detail in here too. From the column mounted overdrive to the Webasto type sunroof and the big, clear Smiths gauges, this is a lovely place to spend time.

In the rear of the car the full length wood capping was only available in Genuine Park Royal Estate’s making them very rare.

The Exterior

• The Vitesse Estate is finished in Royal Blue with copious amounts of chrome embellishments
• The car was repainted in its previous ownership and the standard of the paint and bodywork remains exemplary
• As you will see from our photographs the car exhibits a deep and lustrous shine
• All the obligatory Vitesse specification badges are present and correct
• The steel wheels are finished with chrome hub caps with a high shine
• All light lenses and cabin glass appear to be original and are in an excellent condition
• The very fastidious owner did point out a couple of very minor cosmetic blemishes
• These include a small rust bubble on the nearside C pillar and some minor pitting to the chrome overriders
  
  

The Michelotti design is an enduring one.

Quite a small car by today’s standards but one which continues to appeal with its classic beauty and charm. The car looks fantastic overall and is a very eye-catching and head-turning vehicle.

During our photo-shoot several people came over to discuss and comment on this rare and desirable classic.

The Mechanics

• The Vitesse Estate is fitted with the same 1,998cc, 6-cylinder engine 
• The engine is fed through twin carburettors was originally rated at around 95 bhp
• This gave the Vitesse a very competitive performance for the time with a top speed of over 100 mph
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox
• The car features a column mounted overdrive which operates on third and fourth
• This car underwent a full mechanical restoration roughly 10,000 miles ago
• As a result, the car is understood to perform very well with no mechanical issues being reported
  
  

For many Triumphs straight-sixes of this period represent a sweet-spot for British sporting saloon cars.

It was a considerably more appropriate powerplant than the lowlier four-cylinder units of the time giving these cars some impressive performance for the time. They sound great too. Purposeful without being obtrusive.

An ideal companion to the svelte Anglo-Italian styling of the Vitesse Estate.

Summary