1936 Triumph Vitesse

This is a very rare 1936 Triumph Vitesse that has had only six owners over its lifetime. It was first registered in August 1936.

One of the previous owners, a former Standard Triumph service engineer, acquired the Vitesse in 1996 after it had undergone restoration work in the 1960's. However by the time the previous owner purchased the car, it was in a sorry state and required a full, body-off restoration that took over seven years to complete.

During this extensive restoration, all the original outer panels were carefully restored, while the ash frame was almost completely renewed. The interior was also retrimmed, a new wiring loom fitted, and the dashboard instruments overhauled as necessary. After the restoration was finished, issues were discovered with the cylinder block, which had cracked. In 2006, the engine was rebuilt around a replacement block by Cotterell Engineering of Derby at a cost of £2,447. The cylinder head was also rebuilt and converted to run on unleaded fuel for an additional £1,164. Further work included overhauling the carburettors, re-coring the radiator, fitting a new water pump, converting to a solid-state regulator, refurbishing the wheels, and fitting new tires all around. The total restoration costs on file exceed £25,000.

Since acquiring the car in 2018, the current owner has invested an additional £33,000 in restoration work carried out by Blue Diamond Riley Services Limited. The car now comes with a substantial history file containing extensive restoration records, vintage photographs, an original owner's manual, and a parts catalogue. Only 20 Vitesse models are known to survive today, and according to the Pre-1940 Triumph Motor Club, just 13 of them retain their original saloon bodywork, making this Vitesse an exceptionally rare find.

[SloopyDog]

This is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. A credit to its owner.

[bobcuriston]

This really is beautiful little car. Congratulations to the owner !

[jkoysza]

I sit in amazement at the Triumph of 1936. Designed for men of 120lbs and 5'5" height.
Did everyone smoke and eat sparingly back then? A very delicate looking car.

[TRzest]

If I had a barn to keep cars, this would be in it.

[davidhedley]

Beautiful motor also seen your recovery truck with a classic on heading from Durham services today couldn't work out what it was

[graemeburr]

My father nearly bought one here in NZ in the 1950's but he bought a 1939 Triumph Dolomite instead.

[artrandy]

So many times a car restoration with a wooden dash has that ugly and unsubtle piano finish with paint brush marks visible, which is so unsympathetic. So wire wool it (quadruple zero) all over, and then just bees wax it to get a silk finish. Or use 'Burnishing Cream' on the polish after the wool for a smoother surface, and hope that its a button polish, (as in antique furniture), not polyurethane!

The car is fantastic

[lordleonusa]

The 'boxy' Triumph Vitesse tuat ypu mentioned was released by Standard-Triumph International on 25 May 1962. It was not a 50s car, and it was built by a completely different company than the pre-war Triumph Company. Yes, the Vitesse you have there is absolutely gorgeous. Modern Sunroofs DO leak, even on very high end cars like Porschea and Aston Martin's. I do wish that people would do proper research before making videos!