Discussion
What is it about the Triumph Stag that is so likeable, even to a youngster like me?
It's one of the few classics that I really like the idea of owning and driving (even though it's the opposite to an old Merc!!), and I was just daydreaming of it which inspired me to write this.
I think there are a few reasons. It looks good - I know British sports cars are supposed to look good, but I hate the Spitfire, don't really like the MGB, I don't even care for the Aston DB5, Jag E-type, TRx or... almost anything - but I feel comfortable with the Stag. I have even driven one, a brown, automatic one in fair condition, and rather liked it. It sounds awesome, but in a subtle, sensible way such that it's not the only thing going for it. The auto works perfectly with the engine. The whole car is very cohesive and eminently sensible. I much prefer the idea of owning one to a TVR, which seem comparatively one-track minded. It also drives well enough to feel modern, it doesn't try to be a superb handling sports car, but isn't an overweight cruising barge either.
Who's with me?
ETA: I just checked the prices... they're quite expensive really aren't they?
It's one of the few classics that I really like the idea of owning and driving (even though it's the opposite to an old Merc!!), and I was just daydreaming of it which inspired me to write this.
I think there are a few reasons. It looks good - I know British sports cars are supposed to look good, but I hate the Spitfire, don't really like the MGB, I don't even care for the Aston DB5, Jag E-type, TRx or... almost anything - but I feel comfortable with the Stag. I have even driven one, a brown, automatic one in fair condition, and rather liked it. It sounds awesome, but in a subtle, sensible way such that it's not the only thing going for it. The auto works perfectly with the engine. The whole car is very cohesive and eminently sensible. I much prefer the idea of owning one to a TVR, which seem comparatively one-track minded. It also drives well enough to feel modern, it doesn't try to be a superb handling sports car, but isn't an overweight cruising barge either.
Who's with me?
ETA: I just checked the prices... they're quite expensive really aren't they?
Edited by pentoman on Thursday 25th January 10:34
Expensive? nah .. good value, yes! I am a long-time die-hard triumph fan and the Stag is a lovely piece of kit, hence the reason the prices might seem a bit high .. they're a practical useable roof-off classic 
PS if you see a mimosa Mk2 reg OBE855M on your travels for one say high from me, our family used to own it back in 1977.
PS if you see a mimosa Mk2 reg OBE855M on your travels for one say high from me, our family used to own it back in 1977.
Don't be put off if you see one with a rover v8 in it instead of the triumph 2 x dolly engines v8 concoction they put in the stag. It works far better and isn't prone to the overheating that wrecked so many stag engines.
I've got a soft spot for them, but I've always preferred a sports car to a GT cruiser.
I've got a soft spot for them, but I've always preferred a sports car to a GT cruiser.
I quite like them and have considered buying one in the past. They do have a few pitfalls but so do most other classic cars. They dont have to be that expensive. For a really really good Stag from a dealer you are looking at about 12k. But you can get a useable one for about 5-6k and less if it has a Rover V8 in it instead of the original Truimph V8. Intrestingly its only real competitor at the the time the Mercedes 280,350 SL (not the pagoda) goes for about the same sort of money for what was a far more expensive car.
I had a fleeting relationship with a Stag - my first three cars were Triumph 2500s, which share the same shell and all the oily bits save the engine.
I used one for a few weeks one summer and they're nice cars. They can be made to go well, but it's worth finding one that is sorted to begin with as you can chase problems round the engine for months.
Got to be the right colour, though.
I used one for a few weeks one summer and they're nice cars. They can be made to go well, but it's worth finding one that is sorted to begin with as you can chase problems round the engine for months.
Got to be the right colour, though.
I bit the bullet and bought one unseen off ebay 2 years ago.
Never regretted it.
It is a Great fun car to drive, especially in the summer with the roof down, but is also surprisingly OK in winter with the hardtop on (I live in N. Scotland).
Im not much of a mechanic but its been quite simple to work on to keep running, all parts easily availible and so much cheaper than any modern car. Looking after the cooling system properly seems to be the answer to keeping the famous overheating problems at bay.
2 + 2 seating arrangment means theres plenty of room.
Its certainly no sports car, but with new poly bushes all round road holding is surprisingly good and the rumble from the original V8 through the exhaust is Great.
Unfortunatley its still brown though !
Never regretted it.
It is a Great fun car to drive, especially in the summer with the roof down, but is also surprisingly OK in winter with the hardtop on (I live in N. Scotland).
Im not much of a mechanic but its been quite simple to work on to keep running, all parts easily availible and so much cheaper than any modern car. Looking after the cooling system properly seems to be the answer to keeping the famous overheating problems at bay.
2 + 2 seating arrangment means theres plenty of room.
Its certainly no sports car, but with new poly bushes all round road holding is surprisingly good and the rumble from the original V8 through the exhaust is Great.
Unfortunatley its still brown though !
No shortage of Stag fans here then!
I've always liked Triumphs and ran Heralds, 2000 models and a couple of Dolomites when they were current.
Stag ownership has always eluded me - When I went looking for one in the 80's I came home with a BMW 2002 Cabrio - In those days interest in Stags was at its highest I think, with prices proportionately higher than they are now for decent cars and those I could afford were just too rough to restore.
In the 90's the car shows seemed full of Stags with the owners club stand just bursting with barbecues and gazebos - Not so today, wonder what's happened.
Stags, even the brown ones, sum up all that's British & best about the 70's - Picture one in front of a Tyrolean white suburban detached with picture windows and a Pampas grass alongside the drive!
Do I remember a Stag in a Bond film? White with red trim to France on a Ro-Ro ferry - can anyone elaborate?
I've always liked Triumphs and ran Heralds, 2000 models and a couple of Dolomites when they were current.
Stag ownership has always eluded me - When I went looking for one in the 80's I came home with a BMW 2002 Cabrio - In those days interest in Stags was at its highest I think, with prices proportionately higher than they are now for decent cars and those I could afford were just too rough to restore.
In the 90's the car shows seemed full of Stags with the owners club stand just bursting with barbecues and gazebos - Not so today, wonder what's happened.
Stags, even the brown ones, sum up all that's British & best about the 70's - Picture one in front of a Tyrolean white suburban detached with picture windows and a Pampas grass alongside the drive!
Do I remember a Stag in a Bond film? White with red trim to France on a Ro-Ro ferry - can anyone elaborate?
Shoestring used to drive one and so did I. Mine was Mallard Green and broke down almost every time I took it out to start with. Ended up completely rebuilding the engine with many modified parts and it ended up reliable enough, still had to change the timing chains every year though.
Would love another one but don't have any where to store it. Also think I may have a go at TR6 ownership for a while first.
Would love another one but don't have any where to store it. Also think I may have a go at TR6 ownership for a while first.
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