1971 Triumph Stag
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Highlights
- Solid and very usable Stag
- Mechanically sound with few miles since engine rebuild
- Older restoration with few miles covered since
- Early ‘first sanction’ car
- Serviced in 2022 with few miles since
- Factory hard top
The Appeal
Great minds think alike. In the boardrooms of both Mercedes-Benz and Triumph in the late 1960s, management were cooking up the same great idea: build a luxurious, relaxing V8-powered convertible to take on the best of America.
While this was not entirely new ground for Mercedes-Benz, which had already given the world the Pagoda, it was ground breaking stuff for the Coventry concern. Born out of a styling proposal by Michelotti, the Stag seemed to have it all: brand new, burbletastic V8, svelte styling and luxury specification.
We know that things didn’t quite work out as intended, but that doesn’t detract from the fundamental rightness of the Stag design and specification, as this early ‘first sanction’ car ably shows.
An older comprehensive mechanical and structural restoration with few miles since, this nicely presentable Stag comes to us in very usable trim. There is scope for running cosmetic improvements, but we suspect the first thing the new owner will want to do is jump in, fire up the V8 and just enjoy burbling around some country lanes.
The History and Paperwork
- 1971 car whose chassis number corresponds to this build year
- One of the rare ‘first sanction’ cars with original launch specification features
- Extensive history file including old club magazines and useful Stag books
- Old invoices included in history file
- Triumph factory owners handbook
- Duplicate original registration document showing changes of ownership
- Owned by the vendor for two years with sparing use
- Spent 15 years with the previous owner who covered less than 3,000 miles we are told
- Restored by the owner before that who also owned the car for 15 years, covering similar mileage
- Restored in 1993 covering mechanicals and structural work and a respray in original Saffron
- Invoices from Rimmer Brothers document the restoration work by the owner
- Serviced by the seller in 2022
- Oil replaced with classic mineral fluid, cooling system flushed and gearbox and differential oil checked
The Interior
- Nicely preserved ‘first sanction’ interior showing only light areas of deterioration
- Very presentable interior that could be used as is or slowly improved
- Vinyl seats front and rear in mostly good condition
- Useful rear seat with good vinyl trim surrounds and rear seatbelts fitted
- Some deterioration to driver’s seat backrest and base
- Original radio fitted
- Later wood-rimmed, three spoke steering wheel fitted
- Veneers generally in good and presentable condition
- Light cracking on veneers visible on gear gaiter surround
- Smiths dials appear original and show only light tarnishing to black rims
- Switchgear similarly original presentable and nicely patinated
- Original pedals with some wear but BL logos still visible
- Triumph rubber inserts on front footwell carpets
- Trim to dashboard, console and doors generally good and well kept
- Small area of poor trim to console in passenger footwell
- Boot area in similar condition with presentable carpet set
- Steel spare wheel
- Passenger door card loose at the base
The Exterior
- Bodywork restored and resprayed in 1993 with around 6,000 miles covered since
- Restoration has held up very well over 30 years with only localised deterioration visible
- Some small areas of corrosion visible around the car but remains presentable
- The photographs indicate that the deterioration is non-structural
- This appears to be a car that could be enjoyed and improved over time
- Smart early Stag features such as the chrome wheel trims
- Equipped with factory Stag-branded mud flaps
- Edge protectors usefully fitted to both doors
- Signs of light corrosion around the car
- These include front nearside wheel arch, bonnet edge and valance
- Passenger door base and top of sills on both rear wings also affected
- The chromework is well kept, but early signs of tarnish visible on the front bumper
- Lights appear to be original and are lightly crazed and faded but not unsightly
- Boot floor looks solid, with only surface corrosion visible on the nearside inner arch
- Area of what appears to be surface rust at base of offside A pillar
- Door hings appear solid and doors shut cleanly with good panel gaps
- Boot lid looks slightly misaligned on the offside edge
- Factory hard top is usable but showing bubbling along the rear edge
- Seller advises that the clips to attach the hard top to the body on the rear wings are poor
- Strut tops appear solid and no cause for concern
- We are told that the soft top material is good but the windows are in poor condition
The Mechanics
- Engine rebuilt in 1993 and has covered 6,000 miles since
- Vendor states that the restoration involved removing the engine
- We are told that the electrics work correctly and appear to have been overhauled during the restoration
- 2,997cc Triumph V8 engine
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Engine components show some surface corrosion
- We are told that the engine runs very well with no flatspots or issues to note
- Serviced in 2022 by the seller including fluids and checking gearbox and differential oils
- New belts fitted at the same time
- Appears to be fitted with a larger radiator and a Kenlowe fan to improve cooling
- Equipped with a 12 vane water pump for the same purpose
- Seller states that the crankshaft has been hardened, a useful Stag upgrade
Summary
The Stag was something that few British manufacturers had tried before and few have since: a relaxed and effortless open top cruiser with V8 grunt. Although plagued by teething troubles when new, these issues are now easily sorted, making the rare survivors very rewarding classic convertibles.
This early Stag demonstrates why so many people want one. Stylish and neatly detailed, it is a solid and presentable car with few miles since its older restoration. It’s ready to enjoy and gradually improve as you wish.
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.*
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 1971
- Make Triumph
- Model Stag
- Colour Yellow
- Odometer 64,401 Miles
- Engine size 2997
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Portlaw
- Country Ireland
5
bids
from 3
bidders
- bobcab €2,850 24/09/23
- donal-l•••• €2,750 23/09/23
- MHW2020 €2,500 23/09/23
- bobcab €750 23/09/23
- donal-l•••• €500 22/09/23
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