Triumph

Send This Page To A Friend
Fade To White
Triumph | Pre War British Sports Cars


The Triumph Gloria

For many years the name Triumph has been associated with semi-sporting cars of first-rate performance. However, from time to time, out-and-out sports cars have been marketed, based on the successful standard chassis. Indeed, the Triumph was the most successful British car to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally series. For example, a Triumph "Gloria," driven by Donald Healey, battled its way over frightful roads, and in dreadful weather, from Athens to win the light-car class in the 1934 event. Six other Triumphs also finished, starting from various other parts of Europe. The Triumph Company also built one or two extremely special Dolomite straight-eights, which showed great promise, but, unfortunately, bore rather a close resemblance to a certain Continental car of great racing repute.

These cars were supercharged, and were capable of over 100 m.p.h. One of them appeared in British road races just before the Hitler war in the hands of Tony Rolt, subsequently known as an E.R.A. driver. Actually, the term "Dolomite" has been used to describe several Triumph productions, culminating in the semi-sporting series produced up till 1939. The first out-and-out sporting device to bear the name Triumph was a supercharged version of the famous Super Seven. This car was supplied either with an 832-c.c. (56.5 x 83-mm.) or with a 747-c.c. (56.5 x 74.5-mm.) power unit, in order to bring it into the 750-c.c. class for competitions. As in the case of the Austin and the Lea-Francis, a Cozette blower was used, and was mounted on the near side of the side- valve engine, being driven by chain from the timing wheels. A three-speed gearbox was employed, suspension was by semi-elliptic at the front and quarter-elliptic at the rear, whilst it was one of the very first sports cars to be fitted with Lockheed hydraulic brakes.

The Triumph Gnat



These little Triumphs were quite fast machines, and performed creditably in competitions. Vic Horsman also had many racing successes with the type. However, the incredible speed of the Austin Sevens could not be matched, and with the advent of the M.G. Midget the smallest Triumph soon disappeared from the market. An unblown version, styled the "Gnat," also made its appearance around 1929, being supplied only in 832-c.c. form.It is interesting to note that the Triumph engine had a three-bearing crankshaft, whilst Austins pinned their faith (justifiably you must admit) on a two-bearing layout.

The Triumph Scorpion



In the early 1930s, during the vogue for small six-cylinder cars, the "Scorpion" was introduced, in four and two-seater form, very similar to the "Gnat." The engine was of 1203-c.c. capacity (56.5 x 80-mm.), and had side valves. Not long afterwards the Triumph concern adopted the Coventry-Climax power unit, with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves.

The Triumph Southern Cross



The "Southern Cross" was the outcome, and this was a most popular little sports car, having a most impressive competition record, particularly at Monte Carlo, from the date of its introduction. Some models were fitted with a 1122-c.c. (63 x 90-mm.) engine, but from 1934 onwards a 1087-c.c. (62 x 90-mm.) unit was used. A "Southern Cross" version of the "Gloria" Four was marketed also, and had a 1232-c.c. (66 x 90-mm.) engine. This car was fitted with a free wheel. A "Gloria" Special Four was also available, and eventually a twin-carburetter "Vitesse" model made its appearance. This chassis could be obtained either as a sports-tourer or a two-seater with 17-gallon rear petrol tank, styled the "Monte Carlo." Some very fast editions of the six-cylinder Triumphs were also marketed, particularly the "Gloria Six Special Speed Model."

This car was powered by a 1476-c.c. (59 x 90-mm.) overhead inlet and side exhaust engine, and had twin carburetters. It was a genuine 80-m.p.h. vehicle, and possessed fine acceleration. The largest Triumph was the "Gloria Six-Sixteen," later called the 2-litre. Engine was of 1991-c.c. (65 x 100-mm.), and several sports bodies were available, including the "Southern Cross," "Vitesse" and "Monte Carlo" models. The "Dolomite" series of l.5-litre and 2-litre cars were introduced in 1937, and were mainly made as closed or drop-head types, although the roadster was popular with people taking part in the rally type of event. Prior to the outbreak of war, Triumph were tending to concentrate on a closed 1.5-litre car, but since its acquisition by the Standard Company an entirely new and stylish sports-tourer made its appearance.

This car, whilst more of the "roadster" type, had great possibilities as a sports car. It was fitted with a pushrod-operated four-cylinder engine of 1776-c.c. (73 x 106-mm.), which pushes outover 65 b.h.p. at 4,500 r.p.m. The front wheels were independently sprung by a transverse leaf spring and wishbones. The rear had normal multi-leaved semi-elliptic. Maximum speed was claimed to be 84 m.p.h., and it cruised easily at 65-70 m.p.h.
1946 Triumph 1800 Sports Roadster
1946 - 1947 Triumph 1800 Sports-Roadster.
1936 Triumph Southern Cross Sports Two-Seater
1936 Triumph "Southern Cross" Sports Two-Seater.
Latest Classic Car Classifieds