1974 Triumph Stag

Unfortunately owner Rod is selling the car due to health reasons. ‘I can’t drive it. Anymore,’ he explains. ‘I had a condition that means driving a manual car is now not the easiest and that means that I’m just not using it enough. I’ll be very sad to see it go, especially after all the work I’ve done to it.’

Rod bought the Stag off eBay in 2008 as a project car. The previous owner inherited the car off his uncle who had part restored it. ‘The bodywork was fine as it had been done, but mechanically it hadn’t moved – save for the engine being started now and again – for eight years.’

There’s a key point here. This Stag sports its original engine. In the current day, that’s a very good thing as it’s more desirable. Back in the day many transplanted Rover V8s and their ilk to bypass the ills of the original, however with the benefit of time and available fixes that’s no longer necessary.

Rod carried out a full restoration of the car. ‘We changed pretty much all the mechanical parts,’ he says. ‘Except for the engine and gearbox, which were fine. The carburettor was rebuilt, followed by the cooling system, suspension and brakes. The car was then repainted in Inca Yellow.’

Its original colour was Mimosa, but when he bought it, it had been painted in two different yellows. The body shop initially used Mimosa, but the colour on the rear of the car kept showing through. ‘We then went with Inca Yellow, which was also an option of that year of production and personally I prefer it.’

The Stag had an MOT test one month ago during which a couple of minor defects were noted (deteriorated front lower ball joint dust covers) and one advisory given (slight play on n/s front lower suspension ball joint).

In 2015 Rod used a local body shop for the paintwork and you know what, they really did a lovely job in terms of the paint finish. It’s bright, vibrant and still in excellent condition.

From a distance it looks very good, but get a bit closer and it’s clear that it’s not concours and instead it’s simply a good driveable example. There are a few chips here and there (o/s front scuttle panel) and also ones that were painted over (behind the upper chrome strips on the headlight surrounds) during the restoration.

Lift the bonnet and it still presents in its original Mimosa yellow, as do the floors and rear bulkhead, but strangely not the boot. We feel this two-tone conflict is fine if you’re simply going to drive it, but it’s not one for shows or originality fans, without further work. There’s also a touch of overspray on door shuts etc, but that’s a quick job to sort. There are signs of filler in the rear quarters, but that’s something you’d expect of most surviving Stags. There doesn’t appear to be too much scary when looking under the rear seats and in the soft-top wells.

The chrome presents incredibly well as it was re-chromed in America. ‘I have a friend who builds custom cars, so sent them in with a load he was having done.’

Dark grey Minilite alloys wheels set off the paintwork nicely, although the original Diamond Stag wheels are also included. The original un-restored hardtop (also in Mimosa Yellow) is being sold with the car. The wheels and hardtop would need to be picked up from the owner's house near Lechlade, Gloucestershire.

The front seats are tidy but have suffered a small rodent attack on the passenger seat squab top. However Rod has sourced new covers, which are still bagged and are ready to fit to the newly professionally re-foamed seat backs and bases. This’ll help lift the cabin and bring it up to match the nicely re-veneered dashboard panels, reupholstered targa T-bar and decent carpets. Probably next on any new owners list would be to restore the instrument surrounds.

The hood is in reasonably good condition and raises/lowers easily, but the headlining is getting a little grubby and there is a small split. We can’t currently get the doors to lock so this will also require attention, and the steering wheel is set a little low.

The engine bay is tidy, and the bonnet has its heat insulation lining in place. There’s an electrical cut-off switch next to the battery and Rod sourced and fitted an original stickers kit. 

The engine fires nicely and once warm runs sweetly, although it idles a little high. ‘I’ve never had any issues with either engine or gearbox,’ he says. ‘And I drove it the 25 miles to The Market in Abingdon.’

We’ve since had it out for numerous spins and can confirm it’s a good example to drive, although the overdrive is intermittent and Rod, having already replaced the solenoid, suspects is down to a wiring issue.

The underside has the odd area of visible surface rust, but is mostly protected with a black under seal. All suspension components still look to be in very good condition.

The included V5 certificate shows that the Stag has had 10 former keepers over the years. There’s a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate (issued on May 24, 2013), which details chassis, engine and body numbers, as well as original interior and exterior colours. It also identifies the supplying dealer as Howells Garage of Carmarthen. Also included is a technical data sheet from the same body that identifies all of the correct original factory specifications – nice to have.

A handful of old MOT certificates are also present, along with some invoices from The Priory Workshop, Gloucester, which has looked after the car for Rod since it’s been back on the road. For those with an eye on the car’s restoration there is a whole ream more for parts ordered from both Rimmer Brothers and James Paddock Ltd. Finally, the bumpers were sent to Paul’s Chrome Plating in Evans City, Pennsylvania, USA and re-chromed at a cost of $2000.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork.

Bought in 2009 for £4500, Rod has subsequently spent in the region of £9000 on the restoration. It feels mechanically sound and there are no apparent serious rust issues. Yes, the paintwork is a bit of a mish-mash underneath, but we think it’s a very credible driver. As such we believe it’ll sell for between £9000 and £12,000.

In terms of originality it comes with the correct engine, the original hardtop and alloy wheels. You could buy it and enjoy as is – fettling the small things that need attention – or equally it would provide a very sound basis for someone wishing to embark on returning it to its original Mimosa yellow. The choice is yours.

Personally, we’d buy it and drive it. In its current Inca Yellow, there’s no doubt it’s a bit of a head turner.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at The Market HQ in Abingdon; 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

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