Category: Automotive Posts

  • Aston Martin (from 1913)

    Aston Martin (from 1913)

    Aston Martin was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in Chelsea. They sold Singer cars, serviced cars, then made their own Aston-Martin cars initially for Martin’s hill climb racing. After WWI, Bamford left, but with new premises and funding, Bamford & Martin were able to make successful competition cars from 1922, and a short run of road cars before bankruptcy. Bill Renwick and ‘Bert’ Bertelli acquired the business, renamed it Aston Martin, and moved it to Feltham. There followed a famous succession of competition cars, more financial difficulties, and a focus on road cars in the late 1930s until war again intervened.

    More information on Classic Driver and Wikipedia.

    Aston-Martin 1.5-litre ‘Strasbourg’

    New funding from Louis Zborowski allowed Aston Martin to enter the French GP in 1922, with Zborowski in one car; this was Clive Gallup’s.

    Years

    1922

    Engine

    c. 1481cc S4 SV

    Body Style

    Racer

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Aston-Martin ‘Razor Blade’

    One of the GP cars was developed into Razor Blade achieved victory in its first race, lapping Brooklands at over 98 mph; and soon set records in the standing start mile (74 mph) and kilometer (66 mph).

    Years

    1923

    Engine

    c. 1481cc S4 SV

    Body Style

    Racer

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Aston-Martin Halford Special

    Another GP car was developed into a special for the record-breaking driver of Razor Blade. Originally a pioneering turbo, superchargers proved more reliable in the end. It competed in the 1927 French GP.

    Years

    1923

    Engine

    c. 1481cc S4 SV

    Body Style

    Racer

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Aston-Martin Sidevalve Tourer

    Aston Martin made a small number of inter-war short- and long-chassis cars before bankruptcy, and the departure of Martin, in 1924-1925.

    Years

    1924

    Engine

    1481cc S4 SV

    Body Style

    4-seater tourer

    Production

    55 (all types)

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo: Wikipedia

    Renwick & Bertelli Buzzbox

    R&B took over Aston Martin in 1926, and brought with them the development car, including for their new overhead cam engine.

    Years

    1925 (1921-26)

    Engine

    1481cc S4 SV

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo: Bonhams

    Aston Martin International

    Bertelli-designed “First Series”, replacing the Standard Sports. Also available as T-Type sports and saloons from 1927; also a few coupes, and a ‘Le Mans’ version of the International.

    Years

    1929-32

    Engine

    1495cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    81 +48 other First Series models

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo: Broad Arrow

    Aston Martin Le Mans

    The bulk of Second Series production from late 1932 was taken up by the short chassis ‘Le Mans’. Neatly exploited niche for medium sportscars.

    Years

    1932-34

    Engine

    1495cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    72 +20 12/50 Saloons

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Info

    Aston Martin LM10 Works Car

    New lowered design, with pointed tails and a new ‘V’ shaped radiator. LM10 was the most successful of the 3 cars built, winning its class at Le Mans in 1932 and finishing in 1933 and 1934.

    Years

    1932

    Engine

    1495cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    3

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo: Car-Iconics

    Aston Martin MkII

    Mark II with respect to the Le Mans, but actually Third Series, with considerably stiffer and stronger chassis.

    Years

    1934-36

    Engine

    1495cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    56 +61 Long: Sports, Saloon, Coupe

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Info

    Aston Martin Ulster

    The name ’Ulster’ was first used to describe the two seater racing version of the ‘Mark II’ after the 1934 TT race held at Ards in Northern Ireland.

    Years

    1934-36

    Engine

    1495cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    24

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Info

    Aston Martin 15/98

    A more civilised Aston Martin – softer, quieter and more flexible. Marketed as a tourer, rather than sportscar

    Years

    1937-39

    Engine

    1949cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Tourer

    Production

    75 +50 Long: Tourer, Saloon

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Info

    Aston Martin Speed Model

    Intended as a street version of a racing car, and originally developed for the 1936 Le Mans (the cancellation of which ended the works team).

    Years

    1936-38

    Engine

    1949cc S4 OHC

    Body Style

    Sportscar

    Production

    13 +5 ‘C-Type’

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Info

  • Triumph Saloons (1963-1984)

    Triumph Saloons (1963-1984)

    The Triumph 2000 was introduced in 1963 to replace the Vanguard (see Standard). The small Triumph was introduced in 1965 as a smaller sibling to the relatively luxurious Triumph 2000, and expected to replace the chassis-based Herald. Herald demand held up for a few years though, and the newer unitary body was repurposed first for a budget Herald replacement, and eventually across the range, up to the pioneering 4 valve per cylinder Sprint.

    Triumph 2000 Mk 1 Saloon

    New body and a new brand for the Vanguard, with twin carb engine, and independent suspension (rear trailing arms). Overdrive option and automatic options as before. Cheaper than the contemporary Rover.

    Years

    1963-69

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    113,157

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 2000 Mk 1 Estate

    Replacement for the Vanguard estate introduced after an interregnum. The body shells were part-built by Carbodies.

    Years

    1965-69

    Body Style

    5-dr estate

    Production

    7488

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 2.5 PI Mk 1

    Pioneering mechanical Lucas fuel injection first used on the Jaguar D-Type, including the 1957 Le Mans winner, and later on F1 cars. This Mk2 system was introduced on the TR5 sportscar in 1967. Estates were special order.

    Years

    1968-69

    Body Style

    Saloon, Estate

    Production

    8658/371

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 1300

    FWD, short nose, short tail

    Years

    1965-70

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    113,008

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 1500

    FWD, short nose, short tail, export only

    Years

    c. 1965-10

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    .

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo by Paul Cowie

    Triumph 1300 TC

    FWD, short nose, short tail

    Years

    1967-70

    Engine

    1300 S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    35,342

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Pony (Autocars Dragoon)

    4WD commercial vehicle eventually productionised by Autocars of Israel from the Pony 4WD prototype cancelled by Leyland to avoid cannibalising Land Rover sales. There was also a 4WD rallycross saloon in the early ’60s.

    Years

    1967

    Engine

    1300 S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    35,342

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Photo

    Triumph 2000 Mk 2 Saloon

    Restyled to match the Michelotti show special, which became the Stag. Longer nose and tail, bigger boot, improved interior, alternator. More power and power steering option on later cars.

    Years

    1969-77

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    92,053

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 2000 Mk 2 Estate

    Updated estate, discontinued before the saloon.

    Years

    1969-75

    Body Style

    5-dr estate

    Production

    7118

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 2.5 PI Mk 2

    PI Mk2. Rev counter. Rostyle-type wheel trims as Mk1 (not shown).

    Years

    1969-75

    Body Style

    Saloon, estate

    Production

    43,353/4102

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Toledo 2-door

    RWD, long nose, short tail, 2 door

    Years

    1970-74

    Engine

    1300/1500 S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    2-dr saloon

    Production

    .

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Toledo 4-door

    FWD, short nose, short tail

    Years

    1970-76

    Engine

    1300/1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    113,294/5888 inc 3-dr

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 1500

    FWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1970-73

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    66,353

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Dolomite (& Dolomite 1850 HL)

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1972-80

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    79,010

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Dolomite Michelotti Prototype

    .

    Years

    1972

    Engine

    2000 S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Dolomite Sprint

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1973-80

    Engine

    2000 16v S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    22,941

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 1500 TC

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1973-76

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    66,353

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Dolomite Sprint Works Rally Car

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1974

    Engine

    2000 16v S4 Triumph

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    3

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Promotional photo

    Triumph 2500 TC

    Carburettored alternative to the PI with new grille.

    Years

    1974-77

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon/5-dr estate

    Production

    31,819/673

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 2500 S

    New range topper to replace the PI for the final production run. 14″ Stag wheels and vinyl-covered C-posts. Slightly higher tune than TC. Rev counter.

    Years

    1975-77

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    5933/2231

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Dolomite 1300 / 1500

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1976-80

    Engine

    1300/1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    32,031/43,235 inc HL

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph 1500 HL

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1976-80

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    .

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph SD2 Prototype

    RWD hatchback

    Years

    1975

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    5-dr hatchback

    Production

    1

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    More information

    Triumph Dolomite 1500 SE

    RWD, long nose, long tail

    Years

    1979

    Engine

    1500 S4 Triumph SC

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    2169 (inc in 1500 above?)

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .

    Triumph Acclaim

    FWD, short nose, short tail. Based on Honda Civic/Ballade. Originally planned to be built at Canley but ended up on the ex-Maxi line at Cowley, with some workers moved from the former MG plant at Abingdon which, like Canley, closed.

    Years

    1981-84

    Engine

    1300 Honda

    Body Style

    4-dr saloon

    Production

    133,626

    Power: Weight

    .

    Dimensions

    .