Description
1977 Triumph Stag 3. 0 V8 Manual
Java Green | Approx. 67, 370 Documented Miles | 43-Year Ownership | Extensive History
This is a lovely Stag.
Finding genuinely low-mileage, low-owner Triumph Stags with a long and traceable history is becoming increasingly difficult.
We currently have the unusual privilege of having a selection of low-mileage, low-owner Stags available, which is not something we often get the opportunity to see.
This particular car is something rather special.
First registered on 10th August 1977, SOG 888S has had just three previous keepers, with the last owner acquiring the car on 16th January 1983 and retaining it for an extraordinary 43 years.
The keeper immediately before him acquired the Stag in October 1979, meaning that remarkably, this car has effectively been in the hands of just two long-term keepers since 1979.
For decades the Stag wore the previous owner’s private registration PEP 56 – a particularly appropriate registration given that, without giving too much away, the owner’s name was Pepi!
The car originally carried SOG 888S when new, before PEP 56 was fitted in 1983. In December 2010, its original registration SOG 888S was reinstated and remains with the car today.
EXTENSIVE HISTORY FILE
One of the most appealing aspects of this Stag is the amount of historical documentation that has remained with the car throughout its exceptionally long-term ownership.
The history file contains a considerable collection of old MOT certificates dating back to 1984, numerous invoices covering maintenance, mechanical work and restoration, together with an impressive collection of 16 original tax discs dating from 1984 onwards.
These wonderful pieces of period history are becoming increasingly unusual to find with classic cars and add considerably to the provenance and story of this particular Stag.
APPROXIMATELY 67, 370 DOCUMENTED MILES
The surviving documentation also allows us to piece together a fascinating picture of the car’s mileage.
Importantly, the history records that a replacement speedometer was fitted in 1990.
The surviving MOT certificates prior to the speedometer change record:
* January 1984 – 30, 941 miles
* 1985 – 35, 401 miles
* 1987 – 48, 373 miles
* 1988 – 53, 891 miles
A replacement speedometer was subsequently fitted and the MOT dated 4th September 1990 records just 9 miles on the replacement unit.
Thereafter, the recorded mileage continues:
* August 1991 – 5, 920 miles
* July 1995 – 6, 961 miles
* September 1998 – 8, 427 miles
* August 2000 – 11, 257 miles
* March 2003 – 12, 486 miles
* September 2005 – 12, 790 miles
* April 2009 – 13, 265 miles
* June 2010 – 13, 275 miles
* June 2011 – 13, 300 miles
* May/ June 2021 – circa 13, 300 miles
* July 2025 – 13, 488 miles
The replacement speedometer presently records 13, 488 miles.
Taking the last documented mileage on the original speedometer of 53, 891 miles and adding the mileage subsequently covered on the replacement speedometer gives a minimum documented total mileage of approximately 67, 370 miles.
There is a gap between the final surviving 1988 MOT and the replacement speedometer being fitted in 1990, so we cannot state the precise total mileage to the individual mile. However, the surviving documentation provides excellent evidence of the car’s mileage history and clearly demonstrates its remarkably limited use during the latter decades of its long-term ownership.
We do not have every MOT certificate from the car’s life, but we do have an excellent selection spanning more than 40 years.
MAINTAINED BY HART RACING
Another particularly interesting aspect of the history is that during the 1980s the Stag was predominantly maintained by Hart Racing, a well-known name within the Triumph Stag community.
Together with the historic MOT certificates, 16 original tax discs and numerous invoices, the next owner will receive a substantial history file that helps tell the story of this car over several decades.
MAJOR ENGINUITY RECOMMISSIONING – 2021
After the Stag had spent a period in storage, it was entrusted to Enginuity in 2021 for extensive recommissioning.
This was considerably more involved than simply getting an old car running again. The work extended across the body structure, fuel system, cooling system, carburettors, braking system, wheels, tyres and general mechanical servicing.
Works included:
* Removal of the nearside interior, carpets and seats
* Corrosion removed from the nearside centre outrigger and floor sections
* New repair sections fabricated and welded into position
* Corrosion removed from the nearside rear floor area
* New repair sections fabricated and welded into position
* Power-steering pump removed and attended to
* Battery replaced
* Carburettor pistons freed following the car’s period in storage
* Carburettors removed and cleaned of old varnished fuel
* Float needles and seats replaced
* Float heights set
* Internal carburettor ports cleaned
* Carburettors refitted and set for best running
* Under-bonnet rubber fuel hoses replaced
* Fuel tank removed
* Old fuel drained and replaced
* Comprehensive service carried out
* Cooling system dismantled as required
* Radiator replaced with an uprated multi-core unit
* Stainless-steel top heater pipe fitted
* Cooling system refilled and bled
* All four wheels removed and professionally diamond cut
* Four new Dunlop tyres fitted
* Underside fuel hoses replaced with R9 specification fuel hose
* Front brake discs removed and deglazed
* Front brake pads refaced and refitted
* Three flexible brake hoses replaced
* Rear brakes dismantled
* Both rear wheel cylinders replaced
* Gearbox, overdrive and clutch operation checked
Together with further associated work, this invoice alone amounted to just under £5, 000.
Further work during 2021 included attention to:
* Rear shock absorber rubbers
* Clutch slave cylinder
* Gear oil
* Heli-Coil repairs
* Top hats and spacers
* Associated nuts, bolts and washers
* Washer jet
* Washer pump
* Washer pipe
This additional work amounted to a further £698. 06.
BODYWORK & PRESENTATION
The history file also contains invoices dating back to the late 1990s which appear to relate to restoration and bodywork.
Today, the bodywork is exceptional.
Given the age of those historic restoration invoices, the car has either been exceptionally well preserved since that work was undertaken or has benefited from further cosmetic attention during its subsequent life.
Either way, its presentation today is extremely impressive.
Finished in Java Green, it is a particularly attractive Stag and the colour suits the car beautifully.
The brightwork presents extremely well and the car is accompanied by its refurbished colour-matched hardtop.
The existing front seats have become a little soft and saggy with age. Rather than leave them that way, we are fitting two fully refurbished front seats prior to sale, further improving an already extremely attractive interior.
FURTHER PREPARATION
The Stag is a desirable manual transmission example and drives extremely well.
Further expenditure was recorded in connection with its 2024 MOT preparation, amounting to £602. 60 including the MOT.
Its most recently recorded MOT was carried out on 31st July 2025 at 13, 488 miles on the replacement speedometer, which the car passed with no advisories.
Although the Stag is now MOT exempt by virtue of its age, we will provide the vehicle with a fresh MOT prior to sale as part of our preparation.
IN SUMMARY
This is not simply another Triumph Stag.
Its appeal lies in the combination of its exceptionally long-term ownership, very low number of keepers, approximately 67, 370 minimum documented miles, extensive history, surviving MOT certificates dating back more than 40 years, 16 original tax discs, documented replacement speedometer and significant mechanical recommissioning expenditure.
HIGHLIGHTS
1977 Triumph Stag 3. 0 V8 Manual
Java Green
Approximately 67, 370 minimum documented miles
Just three previous keepers
Last owner since January 1983 – over 43 years
Previous keeper from October 1979
Effectively just two long-term keepers since 1979
Original registration SOG 888S
Long-term private registration PEP 56
Historic MOT certificates dating back to 1984
16 original tax discs dating from 1984
Documented replacement speedometer in 1990
Predominantly maintained by Hart Racing during the 1980s
Major Enginuity recommissioning in 2021
Further expenditure throughout the history
Exceptional bodywork
Lovely brightwork
Refurbished colour-matched hardtop
Two fully refurbished front seats being fitted
Fresh MOT to be supplied
Above all, this is simply a very nice Stag indeed.
Finding a Stag that has remained with the same owner for more than four decades is becoming increasingly unusual. Finding one accompanied by this level of historical documentation, including MOT certificates stretching back to 1984, 16 original tax discs, numerous invoices and evidence of substantial expenditure makes it all the more appealing.
For us, the attraction of this particular car is not simply one individual feature. It is the complete package: Java Green, manual transmission, approximately 67, 370 documented miles, just three previous keepers and an extraordinary 43 years with its last owner.
SOG 888S is a lovely example of a Stag with a genuine story to tell and exactly the sort of car that is becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Please note further photos to follow
