The Triumph Stag in my thoughts is one of the good old time convertible cars. It started its life as a styling experiment car, modelled from the early Triumph 2000 saloon, which had originally been styled by a gentleman named Michelotti, The triumph 2000 was loaned to Michelotti by Triumph engineering dept .The idea was that if Triumph liked the design, They could then use the prototype as the basis of a new Triumph model. The end result, a two door convertible was styled from the first series 2000 but had little common with the styling of the newer 2000,The suspension and drive line were kept from the 2000 model. Triumph liked the Michelotti design so much that they used the styling lines of the Stag on the new Triumph 2000/2500 saloon and estate model lines of the 1970s car.
The Triumph Stag was fitted with the Triumph V8 engine, consisting of a single overhead cam cast iron block with aluminium heads. A new design had already started development and testing of a new unique, all Triumph designed overhead cam 2.5 litre fuel injected V8 to be used in the Stag as well as put in the 2000 car. The vision was to allow Triumph to compete in the V8 marketplace. It has was alleged that internal politics inside British Leyland were unable, to use the proven technology of the all aluminium Rover V8 engine which was said to be the better .Although BL now owned both companies, Brand loyalty between Triumph and Rover was high as they were former rivals before the take over so Triumph engineers preferred to use their new design as it was lighter using aluminium cylinder heads and the superior overhead cam design.The Triumph Stag was launched a year later than expected in 1970, to a warm welcome at the various international auto shows.
Praise stopped coming because soon after delivery to the market reports of engine problems particularly with overheating. Some of these were faults were due to the poor build quality, endemic to the British motor industry of the time, while others related to design problems in the engine itself.
The first 2.5 litre V8 suffered from inadequately sized main bearings design which gave quite short lives. These were modified for the 3.0 litre later design engine. However the later design engine then suffered from overheating problems with aluminium head warpage due to poor castings also head gaskets which restricted coolant flow. These design issues were never solved by British Leyland on the Triumph 3.0 litre OHC V8.
Therefore many owners decided to do an engine transplant fitting a Rover V8.into the Stag Others opted for the Ford Essex V6, Buick 231 V6, or Triumph 2000 6-cylinder engine. Unfortunately these conversions tend to fetch lower prices than a genuine Stag V8-engined car if you decide to put your car for sale. With the Rover V8 engine these cars are still quite sort after and remain one of my favourites with the classic cars for sale
