1960 Triumph

Over the years, several prototypes, one-offs and show cars have been built on the Triumph TR chassis, some by the factory and others by independent concerns. Some of the factory prototypes led directly to new production models but the only independent effort to be produced in significant numbers was the Italia. Styled by Giovanni Michelotti, who would go on to style much of the Triumph range, the Italia coupé was built by Carrozzeria Vignale entirely on the rolling chassis and mechanical underpinnings of the TR3. Being coachbuilt, it was considerably more expensive than the production TR3, costing the equivalent of £1,440 in Italy, some 26% more than the all-British product. Nevertheless, over 300 found homes including a handful in right-hand drive.

The project was the brainchild of Dottore Salvatore Ruffino, the managing director of CESAC, the company that distributed Standard and Triumph cars in Italy. He approached Standard-Triumph about supplying chassis and other components, which the British firm was happy to do. Giovanni Michelotti, who had done work for Standard-Triumph since the update of the Standard Vanguard, penned a handsome, steel-bodied notchback, two + two coupé, which owed much to his glorious Maserati 3500, and they were to be built by Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale under contract to Ruffino S.p.A. Industria Construzione Automobile of Naples.

The Italia 2000 debuted at the 1958 Turin Motor Show to a very positive press reaction and production began in July 1959. Ruffino originally intended to build 1,000 units to be distributed globally through Triumph's official dealer network (720 at the time), however, in 1961 Standard-Triumph was taken over by Leyland Motors and the new management, perhaps viewing it as competition for their new TR4, due out within months, withdrew official support for the project. Because the verbal agreement was not honoured, production stopped prematurely in 1962 when only 329 cars had been finished, making the Italia a highly prized and valuable collectors item today.

Offered from the Anthony Hamilton Collection, this stunning left-hand drive example dates from 1960 and has been fully and sympathetically restored to a simply remarkable level. It's finished in a beautiful shade of Aubergine with silver wire wheels, all enhanced by an exquisite interior, a confection of quilted tan leather, cinnamon carpets, chrome, and charcoal flock.

Triumph Italia #134 spent most of its early life in the USA, finished in white and fitted with Triumph steel wheels prior to being exported to Germany to an Italia enthusiast where it was fully restored. It was purchased for the Italia section of the Collection to join three of its siblings and brought up to near perfect standard which included a full rebuild of the front and rear suspension, a rebuild of the overdrive unit and a new water pump.

An opportunity to acquire a superb example that's been fully and sympathetically restored to a rarely seen level.