1965 Triumph Herald Michelotti Hatchback

This car is a one of one 1965 Michelotti Triumph Herald hatchback factory prototype that has been completely rebuilt. It is not an overstatement to say this a true one of a kind. The vendor has not spared on the time, effort and money he has poured in to this motor to bring it to all the dazzling glory it offers today.

It comes with a certificate explaining this car’s history. The car was built as a styling mule to see the possibility of producing a hatchback into the market place. It explains that the car is asymmetric and that it managed to escape the factory and was sold to an employee in 1967. The vendor explains that two years after leaving the factory it was going rotten before it was sold to someone who wanted to turn it into a Vitesse coupe, which never materialised. Five years after production, the car was already in a bad state. The previous owner to the current keeper then left the car outside for 20 years. Shame though this was, they kept everything that was unique on the car in the garage. It was then rescued by the current owner when it was completely rebuilt using original parts as much as possible. The car was finished in time for the 50th anniversary of the Herald hosted in Stafford.

Donning Wedgewood blue paintwork with matching blue upholstery, this car is very quaint. It has ticked up an odometer reading of just 1700 miles because the majority of its road coverage (circa 10,000 miles) has been spent being transported from one motor show to the next on the back of a truck. It has featured in numerous shows, including Goodwood, Beaulieu, Coventry Motor Museum, the Triumph Museum, the NEC (three times) and many local shows, to name but a few. The vendor explains: “It drives like a Herald but I don’t really use it because it’s such a unique car. Most of the time it gets taken to shows on a truck. It’s fair to say everyone’s seen it; it’s done the circuit”. The vendor is selling it because he has numerous other vehicles and it sits at the back of the garage, so it’s now time for someone else to enjoy it.

Few people spot that the off-side C-pillar is chunkier than the near-side, or that it features a grille for cabin ventilation only on the driver's side. Forward of the B-pillar and below the waistline, the hatch is identical to the Herald saloon; it's only on the rear section above the waistline that Michelotti made any changes, aside from the fitment of a fixed rear panel where the lower section of the boot lid would be. The chromework throughout is in lovely order, though there is evidence of mild surface rust on the inside of the boot lid. The roof is thought to be an adapted estate panel to give the necessary extra length. The tailgate was presumably taken from a contemporary production car, and modified to fit the reshaped Herald; the struts that hold it up are the same as from the estate.

The interior was designed with functionality in mind. It featured a simple yet elegant design with a focus on comfort and convenience. The blue vinyl interior is complemented by a veneer dashboard and grey carpet. The door cards match the upholstery and feature simple but attractive trim. The two-spoked steering wheel is furnished with a chrome horn ring and Triumph emblem in the centre. The car also comes with a spare wheel and tool kit, which add a nice touch. The manual gear stick is located on the floor within easy reach of the driver. There is some fraying to the carpet around the handbrake and there is some evidence of wear under the front passenger seat. Michelotti built a unique fold-down seat and the rigid parcel shelf is a one-off too.

Under the hood, the 1965 Triumph Michelotti Hatchback is powered by a 1147cc four-cylinder engine, which produces around 39 horsepower. The engine is a derivative of the one found in the Triumph TR4 sports car, and features an overhead valve design and a single carburettor. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transmission, which sends power to the rear wheels. The car also features independent suspension at the front and rear, and disc brakes at the front, which was a relatively advanced feature for a compact car of its time. There is evidence of surface rust to the frame and more advanced rust on the bottom of the diff.

The car was off the road since the early 1970s where it stood in a damp garage in Coventry before moving to the bottom of a garden in Telford. As a die-hard Herald enthusiast, when the vendor discovered this car in 2005/2006, he quickly instructed JIGSAW Racing to bring the car back to its former glory. As previously mentioned, it’s fair to say this car has benefited from significant investment to enable its complete rebuild, using as many original parts as possible.

It’s clear to see the quality, craftmanship and sheer endeavour that has produced such a wonderful restoration. It has clearly benefited from significant investment to bring it to its current state. Beyond that, this car is a one of a kind; it’s a piece of Triumph and automotive history. It’s been restored to as near original as possible. This Triumph Herald Hatchback is a Winner of Multiple Awards along with featuring in lots of magazine articles. As such, we think a prospective buyer will have to part with somewhere between £20,000-£25,000 to take this car home. It’s fair to say it’s a lot of car for the money!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.