1974 Triumph Toledo V8 – Classified of the Week

The world of classic cars and the world of all things ingenious seem to go hand in hand. To own a classic car is to be at one with machinery, to be able to understand and, when things go wrong, to be able to improvise and adapt. This is especially the case when it comes to classic cars of a modified nature. Modern cars, with their stupid ‘pop bang’ engine maps and licky, sticky bolt on tat don’t know the meaning of the word modified. Classics do though, because they are re-engineered, when an owner wants to modify, there is no no guide nor any pre-defined way of doing things. It required serious thought and serious skill. Take, as a glorious, snarling, noisy case in point, this 1974 Triumph Toledo that has a 3.0 V8 up front. Mad. Brilliant. Ingenious.

Decisions were made here, and we are so, so glad they were. Over the course of a great many years, the chap behind this mighty machine has done more than his fair share of measuring twice and cutting once. He has also endeavoured to make sure everything fits properly, that everything has a purpose and that the end result is nothing short of spectacular. It’s not a ‘bitsa’ and it’s not a half-baked attempt at giving a Toledo more bite. It’s a proper job. A mini muscle car. We love it.

And it’s a serious bit of kit. The 3.0 Triumph V8 sits on a modified Dolomite Sprint subframe, and is backed up by an overdrive gearbox, again from a Sprint. There’s a Sprint rear axle and prop, too. It’s got bigger front disc brakes, it rides on GAZ suspension which sits at 1″ lower than standard. There’s a custom side-exist exhaust system, which sounds as good as you would anticipate. There is electronic ignition, the wiring loom has been refreshed and is from a Sprint, and everything works as it should. The wiring in the cabin needs a bit of tidying, but that’s nothing to worry about. Nothing some cable ties can’t sort!

Externally, the Toledo is an unapologetic vision in beige. The body is clean and tidy, though does have some evidence of life. It’s no concours winner, but it’s not exactly rough, either. Plus, who cares what condition the paint is in? In the case of this Toledo, paint is there to keep the weather off. That’s it. This car is all about the drive, which is why it sits on wider, more modern MGF alloy wheel wrapped in new rubber. Though given there is a V8 in the nose of this terrier, we would imagine you’ll be changing the rears rather frequently!

Inside, the Toledo once again stuns. The owner has gone to incredible lengths here. There is a Dolomite dash, with a Stag tachometer fitted. All of it works, too. There is a heads-up display built into the top of the dash, which reflects/displays on the windscreen, giving it some strong Knight Rider energy! The seats are from a Rover 200 BRM, meaning red diamond-stitch leather aplenty, and the rear seats have been retrimmed to match, as have the door cards and even the transmission tunnel. The carpets are new, as is the headlining, everything looks… proper, bar the aforementioned wiring. It even has electric windows! Imagine trying to float that idea to Triumph in the ’70s!

Sure, a car of this ilk isn’t going to be for everyone, and we get that. But the people who have no interest in it stopped reading a while back. You though, you’re still here. You’re looking at this Toledo and imagining what it would be like to own and drive such a raucous little monster of a car. You’re thinking about how it will look on your drive, you’re thinking about where you’d like to take it, and you’re thinking about all the final touches you’d do in order to put your stamp on it. It’s okay, we’re doing the same. Unlike you though, we can’t buy it. That responsibility falls to you, so do us proud.

If like us, you’re at one with machinery, this could be the classic for you. So here’s where to find a Triumph Toledo for sale.