RE: Triumph Stag: PH Carpool
Monday 15th May 2017
Name: Jon Spriggs
Car: 1974 Triumph Stag
Owned since: August 2012
Previously owned: A good mixture of old and new....
They're not broken, honest. Just stoppedWhy I bought it:
"Who doesn't love a Stag? I'd always admired the looks and sound, and decided that nothing could be better than a foray into classic car ownership. Back in August 2012 I had the funds, and decided the time was right. Of course it had to be Tahiti Blue with a Tan interior, and the perfect car came up for sale - but was sold before I could send over a deposit. Then this car cropped up on eBay, Pimento Red with a Chestnut interior, and I fell in love. I secured it over the phone, got the train up to Dalton in Furness the next day, and drove it 300 miles home."
Pimento Red with Chestnut certainly of its time!Things I love:
"I guess a lot of people here will say the 'V8 purr', but what I really love is the history file. This car was supplied new by Mann Eggerton in Bury St Edmunds in September '74, had a couple of company director owners, and was then bought by a Mr and Mrs Lomax from the Haven Hotel Garage in Sandbanks in 1977, they then owned the car for 35 years through to 2012. I've got every bill, receipt and MoT going back to 1977, and it remains an original unrestored car. Yes, things have been done, but unlike many Stags, it's never been taken fully apart for a nut and bolt rebuild."
Rebuilt engine now coming into its ownCosts:
"Well, there have been a few. Back in 2015 I decided the car's original engine was past its best at 75K miles, so had it rebuilt. Two years on and it's just about coming into its own, with about 3,000 miles on since the rebuild. It's a lovely engine. Last year I also treated her to a bit of a freshen up around the arches, and a back end freshen up (blasted and powder coated the rear subframe, reconditioned the differential, and renewed the rear suspension and brakes). I've probably spent the best part of £10K on it since buying back in 2012, but I don't mind as everything I'm doing will prolong the car's life."
Triumph Stag: PH Carpool
A 70s British sports car must mean trouble, mustn't it? Don't be so sure...
Car: 1974 Triumph Stag
Owned since: August 2012
Previously owned: A good mixture of old and new....
They're not broken, honest. Just stopped
"Who doesn't love a Stag? I'd always admired the looks and sound, and decided that nothing could be better than a foray into classic car ownership. Back in August 2012 I had the funds, and decided the time was right. Of course it had to be Tahiti Blue with a Tan interior, and the perfect car came up for sale - but was sold before I could send over a deposit. Then this car cropped up on eBay, Pimento Red with a Chestnut interior, and I fell in love. I secured it over the phone, got the train up to Dalton in Furness the next day, and drove it 300 miles home."
What I wish I'd known:
"Difficult one really; it's from the 70s and was nailed together in the Midlands, so rust is to be expected. I perhaps wish I'd had a better look underneath before buying - the first MoT bought up a few areas that needed attention, but overall I was lucky, and they were all quickly dealt with."
Pimento Red with Chestnut certainly of its time!
"I guess a lot of people here will say the 'V8 purr', but what I really love is the history file. This car was supplied new by Mann Eggerton in Bury St Edmunds in September '74, had a couple of company director owners, and was then bought by a Mr and Mrs Lomax from the Haven Hotel Garage in Sandbanks in 1977, they then owned the car for 35 years through to 2012. I've got every bill, receipt and MoT going back to 1977, and it remains an original unrestored car. Yes, things have been done, but unlike many Stags, it's never been taken fully apart for a nut and bolt rebuild."
Things I hate:
"Sunburn. Being fair skinned I have to slap on the factor 30 quite liberally. Problem with the Stag is because it looks so much better with the roof down, that's how you have to drive it all the time, which equates to many burnt foreheads."
Rebuilt engine now coming into its own
"Well, there have been a few. Back in 2015 I decided the car's original engine was past its best at 75K miles, so had it rebuilt. Two years on and it's just about coming into its own, with about 3,000 miles on since the rebuild. It's a lovely engine. Last year I also treated her to a bit of a freshen up around the arches, and a back end freshen up (blasted and powder coated the rear subframe, reconditioned the differential, and renewed the rear suspension and brakes). I've probably spent the best part of £10K on it since buying back in 2012, but I don't mind as everything I'm doing will prolong the car's life."
Where I've been:
"Well there hasn't been a 300-mile run since I bought her back in 2012! But we head out to plenty of shows, classic car meets, Goodwood events, and during the summer I do drive her as a daily, in rotation with the other cars."
What next?
"We won't be parting company any time soon, but there are always jobs to do. The seats could do with new foam in the bolsters, and at some point I'd like to treat her to a full rub down and respray. The car was painted back in the late 80s but it wasn't the best job, and a good paint finish would really make her shine."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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Discussion
Good looking example.
It always make me a bit sad when I see a nice Stag. My grandfather had one from new. My dad kept it and in turn it passed to me. I had it on the road barely three weeks in 2008 when some f
ker nicked it from outside my flat.
It was bright yellow (I forget the name but not the pastel shade) with four speed manual with overdrive and in decent un-restored condition.
I have often thought of getting another but it just wouldn't be the same...
It always make me a bit sad when I see a nice Stag. My grandfather had one from new. My dad kept it and in turn it passed to me. I had it on the road barely three weeks in 2008 when some f
ker nicked it from outside my flat.It was bright yellow (I forget the name but not the pastel shade) with four speed manual with overdrive and in decent un-restored condition.
I have often thought of getting another but it just wouldn't be the same...
GM182 said:
Good looking example.
It always make me a bit sad when I see a nice Stag. My grandfather had one from new. My dad kept it and in turn it passed to me. I had it on the road barely three weeks in 2008 when some fker nicked it from outside my flat.
It was bright yellow (I forget the name but not the pastel shade) with four speed manual with overdrive and in decent un-restored condition.
I have often thought of getting another but it just wouldn't be the same...
That is sad It always make me a bit sad when I see a nice Stag. My grandfather had one from new. My dad kept it and in turn it passed to me. I had it on the road barely three weeks in 2008 when some f
ker nicked it from outside my flat.It was bright yellow (I forget the name but not the pastel shade) with four speed manual with overdrive and in decent un-restored condition.
I have often thought of getting another but it just wouldn't be the same...
It would have been Inca Yellow if it wasn't the pastel (Mimosa I think)
I've had a few Stags in the past which I loved but there is no attraction for me anymore. A pic of one of mine..
Like the restomod there. I never really coveted these . Perhaps because there used to be so many really rough ones parked around the place (they obviously sold well!)
I can see them in a new light these days. Sharp design. And comfortable for a whole family to enjoy a classic outing from time to time.
As usual it is probably better to cough up for a really tidy one rather than a slightly grotty runner unless you are really keen and gifted with a big garage and a MIG welder.
I've got a feeling that parts, spares, specialists and club are all healthy.
I can see them in a new light these days. Sharp design. And comfortable for a whole family to enjoy a classic outing from time to time.
As usual it is probably better to cough up for a really tidy one rather than a slightly grotty runner unless you are really keen and gifted with a big garage and a MIG welder.
I've got a feeling that parts, spares, specialists and club are all healthy.
I had a Mk II 2.5 PI with a TR6 engine (158 BHP) from 1977 till early 80's when the diff went, on the whole not a bad car didn't pass many filling stations but was quicker than a Stag to 80.
Problems with the Stag were an under developed V8 with a single cam chain that stretched and inadequate cooling so the engine got too hot and blew head gaskets.
Lot of Stags ended up with the Rover 3.5 V8 being slotted in that was a far better more powerful engine at the time (maybe because it was American having been designed by Buick and properly developed).
Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
Good looking car but in its day a combination of under development and crap 70's BL quality (and then BL quality really was abysmal) didn't do it any favours, it never lived up to its promise IMO.
Problems with the Stag were an under developed V8 with a single cam chain that stretched and inadequate cooling so the engine got too hot and blew head gaskets.
Lot of Stags ended up with the Rover 3.5 V8 being slotted in that was a far better more powerful engine at the time (maybe because it was American having been designed by Buick and properly developed).
Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
Good looking car but in its day a combination of under development and crap 70's BL quality (and then BL quality really was abysmal) didn't do it any favours, it never lived up to its promise IMO.
Dr Interceptor said:
Thanks for the comments folks, and GM182, sorry to hear about your grandfathers car
She is the perfect summer car
As much as I love the Stag (owned one for 6 years up until last August) I'd like to know some more about that rather juicy looking Interceptor in the background.She is the perfect summer car
Peppka said:
Lot of Stags ended up with the Rover 3.5 V8 being slotted in that was a far better more powerful engine at the time (maybe because it was American having been designed by Buick and properly developed).
Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
Good looking car but in its day a combination of under development and crap 70's BL quality (and then BL quality really was abysmal) didn't do it any favours, it never lived up to its promise IMO.
The Rover V8 only had around 15 bhp more but less torque than the Triumph V8 if I recall correctly. I had 4 Stags in the late 80's and loved them. Never had any issues with any of them, though the last one was a S reg Mimosa and it was going rotten back then. Once specialists twigged the timing chains were a service item and not to over skim the heads or run the wrong antifreeze I think the engine woes were largely in hand. A match for the Merc SL if BL had developed and built them properly.Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
Good looking car but in its day a combination of under development and crap 70's BL quality (and then BL quality really was abysmal) didn't do it any favours, it never lived up to its promise IMO.
Peppka said:
Lot of Stags ended up with the Rover 3.5 V8 being slotted in that was a far better more powerful engine at the time (maybe because it was American having been designed by Buick and properly developed).
Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
Yes, the Rover V8 was a popular conversion back in the day, but purely in terms of reliability. It was actually down in power on the Triumph V8, and the Rover lump was also down in terms of character and V8 burble. The carb version of the Rover V8 in the Triumph TR8 had 133hp, the MGB GTV8 had 137hp, and the Stag engine was 145hp, and 170lb ft of torque.Never did understand why Triumph carried on with the Stag V8 when they had the Rover V8.
The reason why the Rover V8 never made it in to the Stag (at the factory) came down to BL management. Triumph put in a request for X amount of Rover V8's per year, BL said they couldn't supply that many. Then they could, then they couldn't. Triumph just built its own. There will be people who will recount the whole thing more accurately than that, but I believe that's the gist of it.
When serviced properly, with regular coolant changes, and yes, a chain service every 25k miles, the Triumph engine is brilliant.
Edited by Dr Interceptor on Tuesday 16th May 08:53
TR4man said:
As much as I love the Stag (owned one for 6 years up until last August) I'd like to know some more about that rather juicy looking Interceptor in the background.
That's Primrose - the apple in my Dads eye 
1974 Jensen Interceptor Convertible, one of around 86 RHD UK cars ever made. Built in Sept '74, spent the first few months of its life as a dealer demonstrator up in Edinburgh before being registered in Jan '75. Was registered in a Company name, and was the directors car. It then changed to his name when he retired, his wife's name when he died etc - so has a few owners on the log book, but is actually a low owner car.
Went back to the factory in 1988 for some tidying up (valances etc) having covered the bulk of its mileage and was then put away.
Mileage is now around 31k.
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