Austin Apache

A car based on the Austin 1300 but with the addition of a larger boot and extended restyled front was built by Leyland South Africa for a South African market. It’s used various parts from the before mentioned Austin 1300 as well as the Triumph 2000 and ended up being a similar size to the Triumph Dolomite.

Triumph TR7 Tracer

Coachbuilder Crayford were commissioned by a Triumph dealer, Page Motors (notice the dealer logo on the side) to convert the 2 seater TR7 into a sporting brake the Tracer was the result.

Triumph Herald Hatchback Factory Prototype

Usually when we cover prototypes their usually exotic or going for the wow factor, but this one’s a little more mundane. Built in 1965 as a styling exercise this is the original “mule”, if you look closer at the pictures below you’ll notice it’s asymmetrical with two different finishes to the rear.

Strathcarron SC-5A

Between 1999 and 2001 this little car split the press, with some calling it a fantastic drive, with others saying it didn’t deliver on the looks. When Ian Macpherson and his son David set out to build a sports car it was to prove a simple and lightweight cars could deliver a great driving experience.

Coventry Transport Museum

The Coventry Transport Museum holds a certain draw for the car people in the UK, at some point on the perusal through the web looking for information to get you classic/retro car running you’ll end up seeing pictures of a “meet” or “national club event” parked up right outside the entrance in the huge open space. At that point your interest in this place is subliminally placed in your mind popping back up every time you see another shot of a car in the square.

Triumph Italia / 2000

Between 1959and 1962 Triumph sent 329 TR3 chassis’s, engines and running gear were sent over to Italy and coachbuilder Vignale dressed it in this fantastic body. The car was originally commissioned by Triumph for the 1958 Turin Motor show and was produced by Michelotti.

Randon Picture: Triumph 4 Door TR7

First off apologies for the quality of the picture, its the only one I could find, but it seems to show a 4 door concept version of the Triumph TR7 and to be honest its doesn't look half bad. Don't forget the TR7 came on the wave of the wedge so this would have been a perfect tool to modernise the Triumph offerings.

If anyone has better pictures or information then please get in touch.

*edit 20/02/14- Looking at the recent thread over on Pistonheads it looks like this is a Photoshop image rather than a concept model. Still I do quiet like it.*

The Manchester Bike Show

Snow on the ground is not what you need when you’re running a bike show but that’s what Manchester woke up to!!!! It didn’t dampen this event though, granted the car park was a little lacking in bikes, and can’t blame any riders for taking the easy 4 wheeled route. This was the second outing for this event and what a long way it had come over the last 12 months when compared to last year. More room, more dealers, more clubs, more traders and more bikes to look at modern, retro and classic over two halls.

Avon Acclaim

Following the success of the Jaguar XJ6 Estate, Avon wanted to produce a more mainstream higher production number car. The chosen car was the Triumph Acclaim. The concept behind it was to produce a more powerful and luxury version, which also by default would attract a lower taxation by the owners. How did that do this??? By strapping one of those new-fangled turbo’s to the 1.4ltr engine by Turbo Technic’s, and adding some leather and wood to the interior, that’s how. This would take it up to 120mph, which in 1981 was a very quick car and upped the power from 70bhp to 105bhp.

Manchester Transport Museum Standard and Triumph Rally

I was hoping this was going to be as good and as large as the Morris Minor Rally back in February, I'd heard that there was a national rally running around the UK involving and I was hoping that this was a stop along the way, however I was disappointed. I arrived at half ten to find only four cars inside and the shutter door up. I went for a walk round the Museum (I highly recommend this) and when I got back to the first garage a handful more cars had arrived and the roller shutter door was now down. There were only 7 or so cars, granted they were all differant marks and makes which was nice it was just a shame there was more. I got some pictures just not many.

Panther Rio

Okay you take a Triumph Dolomite, do some tweaking to the body including adding a new Rolls Royce inspired nose, add some luxury (electric windows all round, individual cigar lighters and leather) and soundproofing and what do you get? the Rio. The market for this car was those wanting luxury but now having to look after the pennies due to the uncertainty around the oil crises when it was released in 1975.