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BUYER’S TRIUMPH 2.5 Twin carbs, good runner, needs tidying. GUIDE QLD. 0403 996 622. $900 Cliff Chambers f you were building executive-class in the UK during 1963, the message emanating loudly from that year’s Earls Court Motor Show was “lift your game”. IOn the Standard-Triumph stand and across the floor at , two brand-new designs were making mainstream Ford Zodiacs, Vauxhall Crestas and Austin Westminsters look old and very ordinary. Rover’s contender was also badged as a 2000, but it would be the more conservative and practical Triumph 2000 that would really set cash registers singing. During the following 15 years, almost 320,000 six-cylinder Triumph sedans were made, including 55,000 fuel-injected PIs. Their styling was modern, airy and interesting – a collaboration between Triumph designers and Italian stylist Michelotti that took just two years to develop from concept to production-ready. Its six-cylinder engine had already proven its durability in the company’s Vanguards, so was left pretty much alone. Twin carburettors increased power from 60kW to 67kW, with fuel injection and increased capacity eventually pushing it to 98kW. Weight savings and low gearing produced snappy acceleration when compared to the hefty Vanguard. Top speed from a 2000 manual was around 150km/h, with the automatic 10km/h slower. Manual cars were offered with an optional that allowed them to cruise easily at 130km/h a collaboration between british designers and italian on the UK’s growing motorway network. stylists, the triumph 2000 was a revelation in the early-’60s Photos joe press Local 2000s were assembled in Melbourne by Australian Motor Industries

2000/ far left 1969 Mark 1 2.5 PI (oversteering) shows off Triumph’s original Michelotti front left ‘PI’ stands for Petrol Injection; Aussie- Triumph 2500/2.5 PI assembled 2.5 PIs featured metallic paint, vinyl- covered C-pillars, trick wheels (or covers)

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I Own One... Acquiring this rare, late-series PI was an opportunity that Graeme Oxley couldn’t ignore. But it came at a cost. Acceleration from manual cars isn’t startling and carb-fed autos can be “I saw the in 1996 at turgid. Our feature car had its auto replaced by a manual/overdrive a British Display Day and discovered it was going to be sold as part of a divorce (AMI), alongside Toyotas and Ramblers, the Triumph employed an independent launched here in 1969 and was lauded settlement,” Graeme explained. with a colour palette shared between AMI’s rear-end and Macpherson struts at the front for its 170km/h performance. But it was “However, I couldn’t buy it unless various brands. with power-assisted front discs. A heater/ derided shortly after for appalling reliability. I sold my 2500S so it was a Local content including labour, trim, demister was standard, as were reclining The PI introduced metallic paint to the nervous wait.” paint and tyres gave the Triumph a price and very comfortable front bucket seats. Australian Triumph range, accompanied by Graeme’s car is one of the last advantage over the fully-imported Rover AMI attempted to boost the Triumph’s vinyl-covered C-pillars and Rostyle wheel PIs built in Australia and comes and put it into direct competition with prestige credentials by building around 100 covers. In May 1970, the Mark 2 version with the plastic grille that would Holden’s EH Premier. Although down on of its own 2000MD model. These came was introduced featuring an elongated be used on the replacement above power, the 2000 excelled in comfort and initially with wire-spoke wheels, triple nose that echoed the new , commentary might struggle a bit in the The 2000 was lauded for great 2500S. It was assembled by all-’round visibility when launched – sunroof on AMI in December 1974 and sold sophistication. Where the EH had rear Stromberg carburettors and overdrive, and rectangular taillights and new bumpers. area of objectivity. However, these truly are this 2500 Injection Mark 2 magnifies that – and ‘cart’ springs and dreadful drum brakes, are now very scarce. in the UK Initially the range comprised 2000 good cars and very underrated. smaller aftermarket wheel sharpens the steering; through a dealer in Orange, produced an estate () version and 2.5 PI models, but in March 1973, The first thing you notice is all-’round headlight grilles good for country roads; stylish NSW, before spending part of its but these weren’t sold new in Australia. a 2500TC (twin-carburettor) model was visibility and the quarter vents which 14-inch mags pinched from Stag life in Western Australia. below Triumph dropped troublesome Lucas Chasing cheap performance for its TR5 added. In addition to the bigger engine, survived all the way to the final 2500S “The car has now done fuel injection in 1975. Today, most engines have sports car led Standard-Triumph to fatefully minus the tribulations of the cantankerous – compensating for pretty ordinary 613,000 kilometres, more than had their original Lucas parts replaced to make adopt Lucas fuel-injection. Using a detuned Lucas fuel injection, the TC sported ventilation. Vinyl seat trim used in obviously in early cars than the later ones half of that distance while I’ve them both powerful and reliable version of the TR5 engine, the 2.5 PI sedan improved seats and optional power steering. early versions will become ‘ouchy’ after with their wider rear track. owned it, but you’d never know,” Power was boosted to 75kW and even a few hours parked in summer sun, so Keeping the back-end under tighter rein he said. automatic versions could reach 160km/h, shorts-wearers might prefer ’70s models had the effect of reducing oversteer but also The engine was rebuilt at thanks to revised gearing. with cloth trim. made Mark 2 versions less responsive to 300,000 with a TR6 cam and Triumph gave up on the fuel injected PI Low-geared steering combined with a throttle and steering inputs. manifold and the in mid-’75 and by 1976, only the 2500TC massive steering wheel can make early cars Don’t be scared of taking your Triumph converted from automatic to remained. But a flagship Triumph was feel cumbersome, but stylish aftermarket for a gallop through the unsealed manual/overdrive. A new diff revived in June ’77 – the 2500S. Its engine wheels remain available and transform the countryside either. Unlike most models of and Datsun half-shafts have also was shifted marginally sideways to provide driver’s relationship with the car. their age, these cars lap up the rough stuff been installed and some work clearance for larger SU carburettors and My 1969 model was enhanced by wider and handle corrugations with the same has been done to make the a new exhaust manifold, but with power wheels with 185/70 radials, upgraded disdain as similarly-suspended Datsuns. fuel-injection reliable. boosted by just 5kW, the effort seemed dampers and some suspension tweaking by In 1970, two Mark 2 PIs distinguished “The original pump used to hardly worthwhile. the celebrated Allan J. Heasman. At a time themselves by finishing second and fourth get so hot you couldn’t touch it Under the 2500S nose was the first when Australia was converting to metric in the incredibly tough World Cup Rally. and on long trips I would cover anti-roll bar fitted to these cars, combined (though my speedo and brain hadn’t), it Acceleration, even from manual cars, it with a bag of ice to combat with bigger tyres on Triumph Stag-style was easy to forget that advisory signs were isn’t startling and carb-fed automatics can the heat,” Graeme said. “Now 14-inch rims. Power steering became now showing km/h rather than mph. be downright turgid. Not surprisingly, the it’s got a Bosch pump and Volvo standard with the 2500S, and air-con and The Triumph didn’t care either and owner of our featured PI Mark 2 elected to filter with the fuel lines positioned even a sunroof were optional. All models confidently scuttled through bends 60 have its original auto transmission replaced away from the exhaust and it were discontinued by the close of 1978. percent faster than was recommended. (at some expense) by a manual/overdrive. works perfectly!” – CC Ride quality, providing you don’t go Four-speed fuel economy can better On The Road too extreme with the suspension fiddles, 10L/100km but an auto used primarily in Having owned two and driven most is brilliant. The downside of long-travel city traffic is likely to consume around 13. 2000 and 2500 Triumph variants, my springs is body roll which manifests more The fuel tank holds a generous 64 litres.

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Buyer’s Checklist

Body & Chassis Solid construction with a minimum of rust traps helped Triumphs survive for longer than many British designs, but time and neglect both take their toll. Check wheelarches for filler, bubbling around the windscreen rubbers, then look at the sills for bubbles or shonky repairs. More serious problems affect top suspension strut mounts and attachment points for the rear axle assembly. Make sure that the front-hinged bonnet closes squarely and the boot seal isn’t allowing water into the luggage area. Early bumpers in good The most frustrating aspect of buying a condition aren’t easily found so watch for dents and peeling chrome. Other parts 2000/2500 will be prising one from its owner including light units, lenses, badges and bumpers for Mark 2s are still available new. above Fully equipped in this instance means not only a fold-back sunroof but Engine & Transmission also rear venetian, bootlid luggage rack, Triumph engines are simple, durable and mudflaps, tow bar and front nudge bar! cheap to fix if they do eventually wear out. Overheating and blown head gaskets Exhaust smoke at start-up can signify valve were a problem with early models. stem leaks but a sustained blue haze means Neglected servicing can hurt crankshaft worn piston rings or liner damage. Top-end bearings so listen for rumbling when rattles can result from blocked oil ways the engine is cold and kettle noises leading to rocker shaft wear. Look and listen from the radiator when it’s hot. for exhaust manifold leaks and cracks. Check that the viscous-coupled fan on later cars Buying still displays resistance when spun by hand. The most frustrating aspect of The fuel-injection system on surviving PI cars should by now have been upgraded using acquiring a 2000/2500 will be prising components not supplied by Lucas. Overdrive an excellent car from the grasp of its Fast Facts cars aren’t common in Australia but make doting owner. Really good examples sure that the engine speed drops when O/D rarely make their way into the TRIUMPH 2000/2500/2.5 pi (1964-78) is engaged. classifieds and you either need to keep NUMBER built 120,645 (Mark 1), an eye out at British vehicle display 195,311 (Mark 2) Suspension & Brakes days or join a club. “Most of the very good cars are BODY all-steel combined body/chassis, 4-door Advanced for its time, the Triumph sedan and station wagon suspension is tough and pretty simple to owned by club members and that’s ENGINE 2.0- or 2.5-litre, in-line six, OHV, twin maintain. The only major weakness was where to go if you want one,” PI Mark sliding-joint half-shafts which seize. These can 2 owner Graeme Oxley advises. sidedraft carburettors or fuel injection be modified by Triumph specialists to take “You want a car with good history POWER 98kW @ 5400rpm* more durable Datsun shafts. Listen for clicks that’s sound in the body and has a TORQUE 205Nm @ 2000rpm* decent interior. Virtually everything and clunks from the rear when accelerating SUSPENSION independent with coil springs, or cornering. Worn steering rack bushes mechanical can still be bought for them Macpherson struts, lower control arms, send road shock through the column and the and there are specialists in Sydney, anti-roll bar on 2500S (f); independent, trailing lower joint can wear, leading to excessive Melbourne and Brisbane who know arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks (r) play at the rim. how to keep them running really well.” The majority that appear in the open BRAKES disc/drum, power-assisted Interior & Electrics market need work and are generally TYRES 6.50x13 crossply, 165SR13, Tired seat trim will need to be replaced priced at less than $2000. Getting one 175-185SR14 radial second-hand or by a trimmer, but brand new of these into useable condition can PERFORMANCE 0-97km/h – 9.4sec; easily absorb as much money as an carpet sets, sunvisors and door seals are 0-400m – 17.1sec** available. Dash veneer splits with age and excellent 2000 or 2500TC will cost to one supplier in the UK was asking $700 for buy and enjoy immediately. PRICE RANGE $1000-$15,000 a kit of replacement timber items. Replacing Authentic PIs of either series can get Contact Triumph Sports Owners the early generator with an alternator is expensive and a Mark 1 car was offered Association http://www.tsoasa.com advisable and make sure that the column at more than $20,000. Expect to pay *2.5 PI **2.5 PI manual stalks on Mark 2 cars haven’t been broken $12-15,000 for one in excellent – and and crudely repaired. reliable – condition.

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