• Much recent expenditure has brought this car up to an excellent standard

• Three-litre V8 a delight on the open road

• Automatic gearbox for easy driving

• Superb interior

The Triumph Stag brought something new to the British motoring scene on its launch in 1970. Triumph’s established Spitfire and TR-series were sports cars in the traditional sense, two-seaters which derived their sporty characteristics from light weight and nimble handling more than brute power. The Stag was built to an entirely different formula. An American would have called it a ‘personal luxury’ car – one capable of seating four in comfort but intended primarily for the enjoyment of the driver and their companion. It wasn’t a rival to American cars, though. It just enjoyed a corner of the British market all to itself.

The heart of the Stag was a rumbling three-litre, overhead-cam V8, lazy at low revs but harbouring some considerable energy, waiting to be released at the command of the driver’s right foot. The majority of Stags were fitted with a Borg-Warner Type 35 gearbox from the factory. That allowed it to be driven quite effortlessly, and the Stag’s combination of size, comfort and power made it the perfect car for long-distance, open-road runs. Built as a convertible, but with the option of a (later standardised) hardtop, it was a car you could enjoy in any weather, too.

The engine was the subject of some considerable interest at the time as it was intended for wider use across the Triumph range. Unfortunately, motor-industry politics put paid to that. Halfway through the engine’s development, Leyland Motors, which already owned Triumph, acquired Rover as well. Rover already had its own proven and popular 3½-litre V8, and any V8 saloons Triumph might have had planned would have been in direct competition with its Leyland stablemate.

As the Stag was moderately expensive when new, it sold well but not in vast numbers. Around 19,000 were sold in Britain from 1970 to 1977, but they have survived well to become one of today’s most popular classics, with a thriving club scene and good parts availability.

According to its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, UYT 989M left Triumph’s Canley works on 30th August 1973, finished in New White with a Black interior and hood, and was registered in the south-west part of Greater London. Its specification from the factory included the Borg-Warner automatic gearbox, Sundym laminated windscreen, heater, inertia-reel seatbelts, hardtop and five-spoke alloy wheels.

The history is picked up in 2017, when we find the Stag owned by a gentleman from Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The vendor acquired it in 2019 from a seller in Lincolnshire. It looked very good at first glance but closer inspection revealed that it left a bit to be desired, with some filler here and bad paint there.

The vendor intended to keep the Stag for the long term, so wanted it well protected against corrosion. He took it to ADM Vehicle Solutions to be stripped to bare metal and resprayed in the correct New White, while the underside of the car was stripped and sprayed with protective paint. The mohair hood was replaced around the same time. The vendor couldn’t be happier with how it has turned out but, sadly, illness forces the sale.

The Stag boasts an extensive paperwork file, much of which consists of receipts and invoices for goods and services obtained since 2017, including some from noted Triumph specialists Rimmer Bros and Robsport International. There is also a comprehensive MoT history dating back to 2006, which shows that it has been subjected only to very light use in the past 15 years, and, of course, a V5. 

Also included is a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, period Stag owners’ manual in very good condition and a run of Stag Owners’ Club magazines from November, 2020, to June, 2021. The Stag’s repaint was photographically documented and the photographs currently exist in a digital format. The vendor will be happy to transfer them to a disc for the buyer.

The Stag’s interior is outstanding given that the seats, mats and carpets are believed to be all original. As stated, the dash has been refinished in non-original walnut, but that certainly does not detract from the car’s appearance. Although an aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel is fitted, the original steering wheel is included in the sale. A pair of aftermarket ‘Stag’ mats lie on top of the original floor mats, giving them some extra protection. 

The vendor advises that all the dash lights and gauges work perfectly, although the clock was not showing the correct time when we inspected the car.

The only deviation from period is the stereo system, which has recently been upgraded with a Pioneer DAB radio and CD player with two Pioneer speakers in the front doors. A hardtop is included, which is in excellent order but had acquired a substantial tear in the headlining, which has since been stitched up.

After such a thorough cosmetic refresh, the Stag presents very well. Apart from a few small chips and blemishes at the bottom of the front and rear valances, the paint appears to be spotless, and the wheels are just as good as the rest of the car. 

The Nankang tyres were new in 2017. The chrome, too, is excellent, giving a deep, mirror-like shine. Having been replaced in 2019, the mohair hood is still very much like new, although there are some very small splits in the vinyl of the padded T-bar. 

The detachable hardtop is also in superb order, painted in a black which nicely complements the white body. After its extensive rust prevention treatment, the underside can be seen to be not only solid but also extremely clean.

A short run along local roads reveals the Stag to be in excellent mechanical order, as befits a car with such low mileage. It starts on the button for us, and settles into a contented, burbling idle. It accelerates and brakes responsively, steers precisely and delivers an altogether very smooth, comfortable ride.

It is well known that, in the 1970s, Stags were prone to overheating, but we have no reason to suspect this one will give any trouble. Between them, the Ayrshire gentleman and the vendor have invested a lot of money in the car and renewed a number of components. 

In addition to new service parts and consumables, since 2017 it has received new front and rear shock absorbers, front and rear brake discs and pads, fuel pump, radiator, alternator, headlights, number plate lights, battery, suspension bushes, tyres and rev counter. It has also been upgraded with electronic ignition.

The Stag was MoTed on 15th June, 2021, and passed with no advisories.

The Stag was a sensation when it appeared at motor shows in 1970 for much the same reasons as it is a sensation today – good looks, accessible power and all the necessary qualities of a refined touring car. 

What gives it the edge over other, more traditional sports cars is that it’s just that more useable. You can get in and out of a Stag without subjecting your body to unnatural contortions. You can drive for ages without feeling the slightest discomfort. You can enjoy it to the fullest extent in youth or retirement without worrying about children or grandchildren, as they can be satisfactorily accommodated in the back. 

The Stag had so much going for it, it’s a surprise the formula was never really take up by other marques. Its unique quality in this respect only adds to its appeal, and is just one factor in its popularity today. With a thriving owners’ club and excellent spares availability, the Stag has so much scope for enjoyment, and being tax-free and MoT-exempt just makes it that little bit more satisfying. 

Whether your particular preference is for enthusiastic driving, chatting with other owners at the pub or quietly tinkering in the garage, you can do it with a Stag.