Triumph Saloon Cars: Herald 1200, Vitesse 1600, 2000 Mk1

Triumph Saloon Cars

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This guide covers classic Triumph saloon cars of the 1960s and 1970s. It includes the Herald / Vitesse series with their famed Michelotti styling, plus the 2000 range, first shown in 1962 and lasting in Mark 2 form until 1977. The Triumph Dolomite Sprint was one of the finest traditional sports saloons of the 1970s.

Herald 1200 1961-1970

Announced in 1959 in 948cc form, the Herald marked the return of Triumph to the small saloon market. Built on a separate chassis, it used rack-and-pinion steering and all-independent suspension, which combined to make it a great car to drive. Its engine capacity was increased to 1,147cc in 1961, as the Herald 1200 and a multitude of different body/engine combinations proliferated within the Herald range until production ended 1971.

Herald - 1959-61, Herald S -1961-63, Herald 1200 - 1961-70, Herald 12/50 - 1963-67, Herald 13/60 - 1967-71.

Vitesse 1600 1962-1966

Having started life as a pint-sized1, 596cc six-cylinder, the Vitesse gained the 2-litre engine from the Triumph 2000 saloon in 1966. In GT6 tune, with twin Strombergs it was good for 95mph. The original swing axle inherited from the Herald was a questionable feature of the original Vitesse so a Mk2 version with revised wishbone rear appeared in 1968. Convertibles available throughout production.

Vitesse 1600 - 1962-66, Vitesse 2-litre - 1966-68, Vitesse 2-litre Mk 2 - 1968-71.

2000 Mk1 1963-1969

TwinTwin-carburettor Standard Vanguard engine in a new unitary Triumph with all-synchro gearbox, servo disc/drum brakes and all-independent suspension. A competitor for the Rover 2000 with over 90mph and reasonable mpg. Optional overdrive and automatic, and estate version from October 1965. Total production 120,645.

Triumph 2000 Mk 1 - 1963-69, Triumph 2.5PI Mk 1 - 1968-69

1300TC 1967-70

Launched in the spring of 1967, the Triumph 1300TC was an interesting version of the front-wheel-drive 1300 saloon fitted with the twin-carburettor, 75bhp Spitfire 3 engine and servo brakes. Perhaps less exciting than a Vitesse, but it could manage 90mph and turn-in 30mpg. Total production was 35,342.

Triumph 1300 - 1965-70, Triumph 1300TC - 1967-70

2.5PI Mk2 1969-1975

Launched in autumn 1969, the Triumph 2.5PI was an exciting flagship to the new Mk 2 range, offering styling and cosmetics as for the 2000s, plus a separate rev counter, a vacuum reservoir for the brakes and a power steering option. Carburettor versions of the car became available from mid-1974, evolving into the 2500S with 106bhp and overdrive as standard.

Triumph 2000 Mk 2 - 1969-77, Triumph 2.5PI Mk 2 - 1969-75, Triumph 2500TC - 1974-77, Triumph 2500S - 1975-77

Dolomite Sprint 1973-1980

Constructed along traditional lines with fore-and-aft engines and rear-wheel-drive, the Dolomite range was ultimately descended from the front-wheel-drive Triumph 1300 of 1965.

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