Italia 227
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Posted a brief intro in the New Member section, but it was suggested folks in Triumph Forum might also be interested in a bit about my car.
1961 Triumph Italia 2000 GT
The highest Vignale body tag # found on an Italia is #329, defining estimated production at 329 cars, with 109 still known to exist.
First licensed in Switzerland in 1961, our car spent the next 40 years there and in Germany. Purchased in 2000 from a (microscopically) small ad in the back of Triumph World, and shipped from Germany to me in WA State.
Car was said to be very solid and running, but was neither; sound familiar to anyone?. What started as a light “get it on the road” project, ultimately became a 12-year, full restoration. Work was completed with patience and persistence by British European in Seattle, and benefited from amazing help from a network of Italia owners worldwide.
In addition to challenges of repair / fabrication on coach built Vignale body, many interior and exterior components (lights, trim, badges, seats, handles, etc.) differ from car-to-car, and were sometimes sourced from whatever parts bin was handy during assembly in Italy. Identifying and sourcing missing bits was a major challenge throughout restoration. Quite a bit easier now with email, internet and much greater knowledge base about these cars. When we started, it was snail mail, Italia mythology and prayer.
Happy to share more details about the car and restoration if anyone’s interested
A few photos (only seem to able to load clickable thumbnails).
Scott
1961 Triumph Italia 2000 GT
- TR-3A commission # TS 79336 LCO (late 1960 build)
- Vignale body tag #227
- WA License: “TRIONFO” (Italian for Triumph)
- Modifications (for roadability): 5-speed, rack and pinion, electronic ignition and fan, oil cooler
The highest Vignale body tag # found on an Italia is #329, defining estimated production at 329 cars, with 109 still known to exist.
First licensed in Switzerland in 1961, our car spent the next 40 years there and in Germany. Purchased in 2000 from a (microscopically) small ad in the back of Triumph World, and shipped from Germany to me in WA State.
Car was said to be very solid and running, but was neither; sound familiar to anyone?. What started as a light “get it on the road” project, ultimately became a 12-year, full restoration. Work was completed with patience and persistence by British European in Seattle, and benefited from amazing help from a network of Italia owners worldwide.
In addition to challenges of repair / fabrication on coach built Vignale body, many interior and exterior components (lights, trim, badges, seats, handles, etc.) differ from car-to-car, and were sometimes sourced from whatever parts bin was handy during assembly in Italy. Identifying and sourcing missing bits was a major challenge throughout restoration. Quite a bit easier now with email, internet and much greater knowledge base about these cars. When we started, it was snail mail, Italia mythology and prayer.
Happy to share more details about the car and restoration if anyone’s interested
A few photos (only seem to able to load clickable thumbnails).
Scott
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