1970 Triumph Vitesse 2000 MKII
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Highlights
- A sporty looking Vitesse, reported to drive well and offering potential for further improvement
- Presenting in a very original condition having recently featured in a period film
- A post ’68 car and, hence, in the most powerful and developed MKII guise
The Appeal
The Triumph Vitesse was introduced in 1962 as a six-cylinder performance version of the company’s Herald small saloon. Giovanni Michelotti, who designed the Herald, added a slanting headlight front end as a differentiator and, hence, retained all other panels from the original car. Over the life of the Vitesse various enhancements were introduced and, by the time this car was built, the cars boasted a 104 bhp 1998cc, straight-six engine prompting Triumph to dub the car the “two-seater beater.”
This car has been in its current ownership since 2015 and is regularly used and enjoyed. The current owner is a mechanic and so the mechanical needs of the Vitesse have been well met. This is one of those exciting prospects that can be used and enjoyed immediately, yet further improved over time to bring it up to a higher standard of finish.
The History and Paperwork
- Our car was registered in February 1970 making this a MKII model
- Not too much is known about the early life of our car
- The current owner acquired the car in 2015 as a project
- In that time its mechanic owner has looked after the car himself
- The car is regularly used and very original
- So much so as it recently appeared in a feature film set in the 1970’s
- Paperwork comprises just the current V5 in the name of the owner
- The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle
- As such it is MOT and VED exempt in the UK
The Interior
- Although far from concours, our car’s interior appears to be highly original
- The light blue vinyl seats are not significantly holed or ripped it appears
- There is a small section of deterioration to the driver’s seat piping
- The front seats, like the rest of the cabin, would likely respond well to a deep clean
- The rear bench is in good order and appears surprisingly capacious
- The dash on the MKII is a fully equipped affair set into a wood veneered panel
- The gauge set consists of a mix of white on black Jaeger and Smiths items
- There are a number of switches and levers situated in the centre of the dash
- The dash veneer appears compete but would benefit from some localised repair
- The black vinyl dash top panel appears to be in a good general condition
- A non-standard, three spoke alloy, sports steering wheel is fitted
- The carpet set appears original and is finished in black and seemingly complete
- The door cards and rear side panels are finished in blue vinyl
- These are topped with veneered wood cappings and appear complete and original
- The covers for the rear internal wheel arches appear to be missing
- The headlining appears to be complete with some staining at the top of the windscreen
- The boot is missing its liner but this allows full visibility of fuel tank and boot floor
- These both seem to be in a decent, overall condition
- A full-sized spare wheel is housed in an aperture under the boot floor
The Exterior
- This Vitesse is predominantly finished in Valencia Blue with an Old English White roof
- It is hard to know if the paintwork is original
- The data plate under the bonnet does detail a paint code of 19, however
- That is the correct code for Valencia Blue
- The paintwork is reasonable on the flanks of the car
- The bonnet and boot lid, however, have lost some of their paintwork
- The bodywork appears to be solid and robust, appropriate to the car’s age
- Inevitably, there are some areas of surface corrosion and imperfections in evidence
- Cabin glass and light lenses look to be original and in decent condition
- Our car rides on non-standard, 13-inch, Minilite style alloy wheels
- A matching set of Runway Enduro tyres are fitted in 185/70 configuration
- Some of the original factory exterior badges appear to be missing
- There is obviously some potential for further improvement here
- However, the “bones” of the car appear good and may present a good foundation
The Mechanics
- By the time the MKII Vitesse arrived in 1968, power had grown to 104 bhp
- This was delivered by the 1,998cc inline six-cylinder engine
- In a car weighing in at less than 1,000 kgs made for spirited performance
- Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four speed, all synchromesh gearbox
- The large clamshell bonnet allows excellent access to and sight of the engine
- Our car is reported to drive well with no known issues
- The car is used and enjoyed regularly
- The under-bonnet presentation is reasonable but offers potential for further improvement
- The underside of the car looks to be in a good overall condition
- There is some surface corrosion in evidence but nothing unusual for the age of car
Summary
The old adage suggests that “there is nothing new under the sun.” As if to prove the point, and long before the advent of the hot-hatch, Triumph was shoehorning a big engine under the bonnet of a mild-mannered family saloon to provide something a bit more interesting. A “two-seater beater” no less.
Our car provides the lucky new owner with an ideal rolling project car which will enable them to put their own mark on the it and thoroughly enjoy the process. The fundamentals are all here. This is the highest output MKII car and, bar a couple of easy to replace add-ons, is in an honest and original state. It appears to be in a solid condition for its age and, likely, has a lot more enjoyment and motoring adventures ahead of it in the hands of its new owner.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1970
- Make Triumph
- Model Vitesse
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 44,058 Miles
- Engine size 1998
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Marlow
- Location Buckinghamshire
- Country United Kingdom
9
bids
from 5
bidders
- bo•••• £4,000 28/03/23
- Cl•••• £3,900 28/03/23
- bo•••• £3,800 28/03/23
- wi•••• £3,700 28/03/23
- bo•••• £3,600 27/03/23
- da•••• £3,500 24/03/23
- pe•••• £3,400 24/03/23
- da•••• £3,300 23/03/23
- Cl•••• £3,200 23/03/23
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