Description
VIN Chassis No.: HB22 562 CV0
First registered: 14. 9. 1964
The Vitesse 6 was a very popular car for Triumph, far and away the most popular Vitesse sold during their lifetime. It was highly respected for its snappy performance and fuel economy, as well as its upmarket interior styling. The Vitesse's unusually tight turning circle gives the car very agile handling, and the combination of sports car performance in a car roomy enough for rear passengers made the Vitesse all but unrivalled at its price point in its day.
The Triumph Vitesse was introduced in 1962, and was essentially an 6-cylinder performance version of the Triumph Herald, which also had been styled by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. Hence the Vitesse inherited much of its body design from the Herald, but was blessed with a fesity new front, complete with slanted 4-headlamp flaring, nicely visible from the driver's seat. The Vitesse 6 took Triumph's sporty offering to a new level.
The engine is the 1596cc straight 6-cylinder, with twin Solex carburettors for extra performance. It sits in an absolutely spotless engine bay, corrosion-free, and complete with all new suspension arms. The standard front suspension of the early Vitesses was boosted for the Vitesse 6 via uprated springs.
The synchromesh 4-speed manual gearbox was strengthened for the arrival of the Vitesse 6 and upgraded to sportier gear ratios, and this particular car features the optional overdrive, giving top gear a 20% higher ratio for more relaxed - and economical - cruising. The rear axle also got an uprated differential.
The engine sounds marvellous, very clean running, with the sporty exhaust sound reporting the car's readiness, but no reverberation inside the cabin - power where you want it, and nowehere else! The car's mechanicals are a true joy to behold - roadholding is flawless, and the engine and gearbox are both in perfect running order.
The interior is in the same outstanding condition as the rest of the car, with the wooden door cappings complementing the immaculate Smith-instruments wooden dashboard excellently.
The cabin is intimate but not at all cramped, and even long-legged grandchildren won't be cramped in the back.
The car is in phenomenal condition. This Vitesse 6 has been subject to a body-off nut-and-bolt restoration to the very highest standard. The process is documented in a huge photographic history file which accompanies the car. Adored by its last owner, the car recently had a new soft-top fitted, as well as a brand new alternator and starter motor.
It simply couldn't be more ready to enjoy.
The Triumph Vitesse has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and driving this one it's not difficult to see why. Stylish, economical, spacious, thrilling, easily able to hold their value, and in this condition, very likely as fine an example as can be found anywhere.
