 |
 | |
Avant
Technical
Publishing | |
| |
The Triumphs The 1967 Triumph 2000 we had, was a late series 1, with 2.0 litre inline six cylinder, twin stromberg carburetors and four-speed manual. It also had Laycock Overdrive which operated on 2nd, 3rd & 4th, giving seven forward ratios to play with. Independent rear suspension and front disc brakes as standard were unusual for the 1960's. The 2000 was designed by Michelotti (as was the Herald), and was quite a looker for the times. It used an uprated version of the Standard Vanguard 6 engine, and later was joined by a 2500cc version, in either twin-carb form or with Lucas Fuel Injection. They were very popular in New Zealand and were assembled for this market in Nelson. There are still probably more of these on the road in daily use, than any other make/model from those times. The late Series 1, was the first to have flow-through ventilation included, and of course this carried on into the Mk 2 series which had a wider back track, longer boot, and revised snout/grille area. It's one of the few cars from our past that we would really like to find again.  |
 Our 1960 Triumph Herald, was the 948cc four-cylinder version, but still managed to keep up a good pace in the RATEC Alpine Rally in 1969. The entire bonnet clamshell arrangement, when swung open and forwards, allowed the best possible access to all the mechanical bits, and the entire car sat on a full chassis, with unstressed panels hung on. It formed the basis for quite a few sports cars, including Triumph's own Spitfire, as mounting different bodies on it was so easy. This was quite a low mileage example, so having a head gasket expire was a bit unexpected, however with the bonnet up, one just sits on one of the front wheels to work on the engine. Turning circle was amazingly tight, and later on it became available with 1200cc, and 1600cc 6-cylinder power in the Vitesse version. The crude rear suspension (independent with transverse leaf and swing axles was ok with the 4 cylinder versions, but not good on the more powerfull ones. The final Vitesse version had the Triumph 2000 engine, and a much better trailing arm suspension in the rear. 
|