Description
Triumph Gloria
DPE 140
Mileage 51, 700
1935 Triumph Gloria Vitesse – sympathetically restored & ready to enjoy. Powered by its original 1232cc Coventry Climax 4-cylinder engine with twin SU carburettors, mated to a manual gearbox with freewheel, it delivers that distinctive smooth and lively character that made the Vitesse the sporting choice of the Gloria range. The car starts easily, runs sweetly, and drives beautifully – a delight on the open road.
Recently treated to a full bare-metal respray in a deep, rich dark maroon red, the bodywork presents to a show-worthy standard. Complimenting this are brand-new tyres all round (including the spare), mounted on freshly powder-coated gloss black wheels with polished spinners – completing the car’s classic pre-war stance.
Inside, the cabin boasts the usual Vitesse refinements: Original leather upholstery which has been newly conditioned and fed, a walnut veneer dashboard with period dials and switchgear, sunroof for fair-weather motoring and original chrome work in remarkable condition overall. Could benefit from some parts being re chromed.
A superb original car and a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine pre-war Triumph Vitesse, ready to drive, enjoy or take to shows. This Triumph Gloria Vitesse was first registered on 24th December 1935 to Mr. John Burt Godbolt of Ashtead, Surrey. The car remained in the Southeast for many years, passing through two further owners before being acquired on 5th December 1966 by Mr. Henry Halliday, then based at RAF Gaydon, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
Under Mr. Halliday’s long-term care, the car was kept in perfect conditions of storage due to the perfect wood ash framework and no rust on the panel work. The Gloria travelled north, residing successively in Doncaster, Yorkshire and later Lincolnshire. After more than three decades of ownership, the car was sold on 31st July 1997 to Grane Investments of Rossendale, Lancashire, before passing to Mrs. Sheila Lewis, also of Rossendale, on 9th April 2005.
The car entered the current owner’s private car collection in 2021. Since then, it has undergone a thorough mechanical and cosmetic refresh to a very high standard including a sympathetic yet thorough restoration of the chassis and brakes. The engine was stripped down and thoroughly checked; rebuilt it now gives 40 PSI oil pressure. It has a completely new wiring loom and has undergone a professional bare metal respray. It has had new tyres and the wheels refurbished. It is accompanied by its original buff logbook documenting this fine and traceable ownership history.
