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Technically advanced Triumphs.

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Simon TR4a

Simon TR4a

Jedi Knight
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When compared with the most advanced contemporary engineering Triumph cars of the 50's and 60's were quite advanced- as examples, it is well known that Triumph was the first manufacturer to offer a volume produced car with disc brakes, first with an entire line of cars with independent rear suspension, and introduced the mechanical fuel injection system about the same time as Maserati on their very exclusive 3500GT series.
When I used to do Solo1 with my wire wheel TR4a there were often expressions of concern about the strength and safety of the wheels. I would point out that wires were used on D type Jags and Ferraris with 250-300 horsepower running for 24 hours at Le Mans, so they should be ok for a few laps on a Triumph.

Actually, Ferrari used wire wheels on the 156 "sharknose" which won the Formula 1 championship in 1961 (Phil Hill) so wires were 4 year old F1 technology when my car was built. How many modern cars can claim that? Carbon brakes? Sequential 7 speed transmission? Locking ratio of your limited slip diff. adjustable from the cockpit? Pneumatically operated valves and a 19,000rpm rev limit?
Didn't think so.......Simon
 
For whatever it's worth, the "Impacto-Scopic" steering column was introduced on the Herald in 1959 and used then on the TR4-6 and all subsequent cars in the "SC" line (Spitfire, GT6 and Vitesse) through 1976. In addition to providing some measure of adjustment, the column also offered some telescopic action on impact (unless adjusted already to the very bottom of travel), apparently enough so that it met Federal requirements of the late 1960s and beyond. Likely this was a fairly early application of such a steering column by a manufacturer.
 
Also didn't the Herald come with heat, wipers and a few other things as standard equipment. And didn't it also have some new type of bumper system. They claimed in their ad they were 3 years ahead of everyone else.
 
tomgt6 said:
Also didn't the Herald come with heat, wipers and a few other things as standard equipment. And didn't it also have some new type of bumper system. They claimed in their ad they were 3 years ahead of everyone else.
Click to expand...
Yeah..."3 full engineering years ahead of all other economy cars"!
Herald_12.jpg


Heralds were, for the time, fairly well equipped, at least in the US market. And yes, the white rubber bumper facings (optional on the original Herald in the home market but standard equipment on cars sent to the US) were actually quite practical and useful.
 
And the TR4 introduced face level fresh air vents.
And the TR4 introduced the Targa (Surrey) top.
And how many other manufacturers offered 4 valves per cylinder in 1972?
 
CinneaghTR said:
... I often get funny looks when people ask me when did I convert my 4A to front disc brakes and I answer that they were stock equipment.
Click to expand...

This is my '58 TR3...Oh, the disc brakes?? They came from the factory that way.

I had a fellow Triumph club member who has a TR6, come over my house this last weekend to look at my car since the restoration was completed several months ago. He hadn't seen it yet. He was looking through the wire wheels and asked "Did you put those disc brakes on??" I said "Yes I did put the four piston Toyotas on there. They bolted right on where the originals were." Silence, but he saved face. :smile:
 
I can't think of a "D" or "C" Jag with wires.
All the photos I have of them in-service had solids with knockoffs, no?
 
NickMorgan said:
And the TR4 introduced face level fresh air vents...
Click to expand...

Which Chrysler later 'invented'

NickMorgan said:
And the TR4 introduced the Targa (Surrey) top...
Click to expand...

Which Porsche later 'invented'

OTOH, Triumph was that last manufacturer to produce a rumble seat (dickey seat) showing there was some retro thinking going on too.
 
My Model "A" Ford had face-level fresh-air vents.
Crank the bottom of the windscreen out.....
 
Triumph also invented the self lubricating under carriage, which none have yet mastered.
 
TR6oldtimer said:
Triumph also invented the self lubricating under carriage, which none have yet mastered.
Click to expand...

FIAT came close.....
 
My favorite concept is:
The first production car on the planet to incorporate front disc brakes -- and one of the last to continue to provide a hand-crank start feature.
 
For all their technical advances, Triumphs were also one of the last mass production manufacturers to move away from the seperate chassis. Considered a disadvantage back then, but today makes for much easier "body off" restoration.

Rob.
 
Andrew Mace said:
tomgt6 said:
Also didn't the Herald come with heat, wipers and a few other things as standard equipment. And didn't it also have some new type of bumper system. They claimed in their ad they were 3 years ahead of everyone else.
Click to expand...
Yeah..."3 full engineering years ahead of all other economy cars"!

Heralds were, for the time, fairly well equipped, at least in the US market.
Click to expand...

And one of the first non-exotic cars with a fully independent suspension system.
 
Mark Jones said:
And one of the first non-exotic cars with a fully independent suspension system.
Click to expand...
True. There was, of course, the VW Beetle (which we can't forget) and Renaults such as the Dauphine (which most would like to)! Oh, and the Mini, although one could argue that it was somewhat "exotic" -- at least in the technical sense!
 
Don't forget the Stag...

Overhead cam V8 w/aluminum heads, independent suspension at each corner, Macpherson struts up front, disc brakes, unibody construction, etc... All in 1970. Compare that to the average American car of the same vintage...
 
Isaiah 13:3
I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath— those who rejoice in my Triumph.
 
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