Triumph Motor Co. was in the automobile business for nearly 100 years, retiring in 1984. One of its least successful products was the Stag, a 2+2 sports touring car built in the 1970s. The U.S. auto market was always important to Triumph, but U.S. buyers didn’t take to the Stag and it stopped production after eight years. This 1971 edition looks to have been sitting under a carport for ages and is only good enough now to serve as a parts car. Located in Fairburn, Georgia, this vintage British car is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,800. Barn Finder “MisterLou” is credited with this tip.
Fewer than 3,000 Stags were imported into the U.S. out of a total population of under 26,000 units. That works out to only 11% of the total, far less than most Triumphs commanded. The Stag came with a 3.0-lier V8, a configuration that would have been familiar to U.S. buyers. Changes were few over the years, usually cosmetics to meet DOT safety standards, like ballooning bumpers in 1973-74. The energy crisis of about the same period probably hurt U.S. sales, too. And the name didn’t help either as it may have sounded too macho for some.
The seller tells us practically nothing about this car and only describes its condition as “fair” (that may be optimistic). We doubt it has moved in a long time and its running condition is unspecified, which means it probably won’t respond to any immediate overtures. We’ll admit that this is a rare automobile, but rare doesn’t necessarily add up to being in demand. Without a title, the seller says to expect nothing but parts from it. Do you agree or do you see a diamond in the rough?
The Stag was never fitted with the impact absorbing bumpers required from 1974. It was withdrawn from the US market after the last shipment of 1973 cars.
Needs a look see to check on the rust, especially under the car. Seats look decent. Wiring looks to be a concern. But for $2.8k I would take it and see if it could run again. If not there is a lot of good parts there.
I always liked the styling of the Stag. It reminds me of a Spitfire on steroids. They had a myriad of engine problems and I almost pulled the trigger many year ago of finding one that was Corvette 327 powered and done professionally. The price was very reasonable but it just didn’t happen. If this car isn’t totally rusty, it would be a good candidate for an engine drivetrain swap and a quickie paint job. I’d put it back together as a driver with no intention of an OE restoration. They simply have no value but they have always been intriguing to me as a British car to modify.
I’ve seen lots worse cars that were considered restorable. Unless there’s some real rot that’s not showing in the pics, this is better than a parts car. And these aren’t common.
The parking brake handle looks to be in great condition :-)
If I remember correctly, cars of this age have no title in Georgia only a bill of sale. So possibly with a properly filled out and verified bill of sale a title “might” be obtainable in some states. The main problem with Stag engines was overheating. This was caused by the very high location of the water pump in relation to water level in radiator and overflow causing cavitation of the impellor. Modern external electric water pumps have been used to help cure this problem. Corrosion of heads and head studs was another issue. The aluminum was soft and easily eaten by chemicals and electrolysis. The corrosion also would seize the canted head studs in place making them very difficult to remove. I might be a buyer but only for around a thousand dollars as much would be needed to title and make the Stag a driver again.
I believe the Stag V-8 was a variation on the STANPART 1.7L engine that appeared in the very early SAAB 99s. I never nad the “pleasure” of tearing intoa a Stag engine, but, after encountering two of those SAABS with the canted head studs and blown head gaskets, they were banned from my shop. SAAB used a redesigned 1.8L engine the next year that resolved that issue.
I had a 1973 Stag. When I overhauled the engine, the crank bearings were for the Saab. Common enough that I could get them at NAPA. With a recored radiator and an electric fan, it always ran cool.
That’s nearly an MGB GT. =D
John you are so right on head bolt problems as well as over heating. I bought a Stag like this off used car lot where I worked ( Porsche Audi dealer) over heated on first time I drove over 20miles.I also see this one has an automatic transmission,mine also had automatic would hesitate between shifts,till the day it just imploded trying to get on E way.Sold it to a guy who put a 289 with a
fordomatic in it,he really did pro job,I drove it and was impressed at how well it drove. That’s my experience with a Triumph Stag.Would maybe take this on if I was a little younger,would be 350/350 swap though.