Triumph Stag Review - Full detailed review, interior, exterior and driving

Adam reviews the infamous classic, the Triumph Stag.

Everyone, all together now: "Staaaaaaaaaag"

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Any music used it copyright BenSound and/or Incompetech/Kevin MacLeod.
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[davidwhite]

As a Stag owner, I thought this was a very fair review. It is worth pointing out that most, if not all, the original issues are understood and can be fixed if you know what you are doing. My stag has an uprated radiator, a 4 barrel carb on an opened up intake manifold (which gives much better performance) and various other small mods that make it more fun and quite reliable.

[rossharvie]

I read about the Stag back in my teens ( 79 onwards) and thought they looked great, but living in country NSW we just didn't see them. Flick forward 20 years and I had the opportunity to buy one, albeit when the owner was ready to sell. It took 10 years for the ducks to line up but the day at last came and I laid down my cash for a low km Stag, the first one I ever saw in the flesh. The best drives I've ever had have been in this car, my son drove it on his L's (pretty small club I'd say) and it never fails to please. The V8 noise is unique Stag, once read that it sounded like 100 yards of ripping calico (never would have come up with that description myself but will go with it); it's a car that somehow make you feel like you're doing 120 when doing 90, a speed it will do all day and at only 23.5mpg! Everyone (with a tool box) should have one and aside from all these benefits, the Stag fraternity is the best.

[lib]

... and Bond drove one in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever... before driving the Mustang Mach 1 in Vegas.

[marknelson]

Hi Adam, I'm here in Oz, loved the review and yes I'd like one and are aware of the DIY issues re 'running a classic'. I think Triumph should have swallowed their pride (as it would have helped their budget with the car) had they fitted the lighter Rover 3.5 Litre V8, which would have saved a lot of issues when the car was new re continued sales/reputation! Yes the 3-Lire V8 has a glorious exhaust which I do not doubt, probably one of the best V8 sounds of all time, but just think where this car would have gone back then if the light alloy 3.5 V8 had been fitted to start with. Under the Leyland empire, there would have been more for Triumph to improve the car (we'd have had a Mk.III hopefully etc.) and Triumph would have been able to put more of their stamp on it. Still a lovely car, and we are blessed here in Oz with on the whole rust free examples. I've had a number of Triumphs in UK in past (2 x GT6s and a 2000) but here in Oz own a 1975, P6B 3500S, lovely motor. Thanks M

[hongdongjji]

I wish I'd had the money to buy my friend's Stag when I lived in England. It was a beautiful little auto, with a lovely murmuring motor. Wonder still if I'd have been able to bring it back to the USA, but still one of my all time favourite cars.

[jvepzon]

Quite enjoyable, the fact that classic cars, not just stags, do benefit from being used. The obvious downside of only getting a car out once a year is maintenance issues.
Depending on the standard of maintenance so the reliability level. Also, the soft top can be put up literally in seconds, far quicker than the modern fold down roofs. Try putting an MGB soft top up!

[mgbgth]

I bought one when I was 21 in 1978 for 2 grand in mint cond and kept it for 8 years. I loved it.

[chrisamadeus]

I have a Stag myself, I love it, this is a killer video, thanks for sharing. "CHROME, CHROME, CHROME, CHROME, CHROME, CHROME" CLASS!

[noushitaisa]

Enjoyed that very much. My Dad had an Austin Maxi with that same type of 'shlurp shlurp' feel on the seats if you were wearing shorts in the heat. Thanks for posting. I'd like a fully reworked Stag as a plaything, no doubt about it...

[tomthumb]

So funny you mentioned 'constantly listening" 🤣 I owned two in the mid to late 80s and I was constantly listening, often telling a friend or two to shush!
I must own another...MUST!

[bombakdik]

Lovely review. Well done, nice overview. I enjoyed your ease, and your correct explanations.

Greetings from Belgium!

[rodneyalan]

I've got three triumphs, a Stag, A 2500S and a sprint ST 1050 motorbike. I love them all. mostly I like the Stag. I enjoyed your review very much.I thought that you missed the point as to why the stags were so unreliable. It was because of bad assembly rather than the items themselves. NOT removing sand from the cast parts and not using the correct bolts or tightening them up correctly. So, If we build the car up again, which many people do, then the car becomes much more reliable. As far as the measly 140 Hp is concerned, many owners upgrade theirs to the 3500V8 Rover to generate a more healthy 200horses and still others upgrade to its big brother, the 4.4litre V8 which is still leyland, so it is in keeping with the british leyland umbrella company.

The company parts Rimmers, sell wind deflectors that have chrome handles and fit neatly in the boot when not in use, turning the car into a two seater with rear tonneau and vertical deflector.

I drove mine daily, but now I'm redoing the car for the 21st century touring.

[syhooverman]

Dont gun this beautiful V8. The tick over grumble is enough to give goosebumps

[genekelly]

I like the styling-amazing that parts can still be found for such a limited production model.

[paulharrison]

There was only one triumph worth owning. The TR8. I had one in 1980. Best car I ever owned.

[davidrivero]

Aah yes, the two person needed for removal of steel top. A beautiful '72 Chocolate Brown, we had in 305 Miami, back in early '80's . What a Fun driver of a Classic .

[warwickeaton]

Have owned a Stag here in Oz for 25 years. Found it not overly hard to maintain and relatively easy to improve. SOC is a great club, even out here, parts are not hard to come by, the survival rate is very impressive. But they can be fussy old thus, NEVER lose your temper if fittings suddenly become uncooperative

[therebellioustibetanmigou]

I had 3 Triumph: a Spitfire, a TR 6 and a 2500 PI; beautiful but of poor quality. I would have liked to have a Stag; today she is still so beautiful !

[cisltd]

Only two things I did to my stag to improve it was electronic ignition and Continental tyres with an outer rim instead of Michelin

[jaymorris]

The water pump failure was down to coolant leakage when hot because of where it was placed and the water dropped below the pump so even after top up, the pump had often already failed, apparently.