The Triumph Stag was more than a sports car. It was a 2+2 touring machine in production from 1970 to 1978. Powered by a 3.0-liter V8 engine, it was stronger than many English-built cars of this nature. Sales numbers topped out at under just 26,000 units, partly due to the vehicle not being well-received in the U.S. market, a primary target. This 1973 edition – with the detachable hardtop and canvas soft top – is in good overall condition with recent work having been done, but it’s not show-quality at 96,000 miles.
Why the Stag never caught on in the States isn’t known. Perhaps it was the name, while sounding rather masculine, it also conjured up other images. Though nearly 7,000 Stags were exported, less than 3,000 went to the U.S. across eight model years, so they were a somewhat rare sight when new. For structural rigidity, the body was Targa-style with an arched bar across the mid-section, kind of like a Porsche. Similar to the earlier Corvettes, the hardtop was removable and there was no room to store it internally, so the bulky piece had to stay at home on nice driving days.
We’re told that this Stag performs well, and the brakes and cooling system have recently been serviced and the car received a tune-up. According to the seller, you could drive it anywhere in its current condition, and it looks good except for 50 years of typical scratches and dings. These were well-equipped cars, including air conditioning (which is said to work as it should). It has chrome wheels which help to enhance the vehicle’s appearance. The convertible top has a small slit, so you may want to replace it (if it can’t be repaired.
Some of the minor flaws include cracks in the dashboard, the lack of a spare tire/wheel, and the choke needing to be left on for several seconds to get the V8 purring. The seller owns two of these cars and one has to go, hence the reason this Triumph is up for sale. Located in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, the Stag is available here on eBay for $17,995 OBO. If you buy it, you’ll have to pick it up soon as the seller needs the space.
A good looking car to some, it had its own quirks-not a lot of Triumph V8 knowledgeable mechanics for one thing, i.e.,IIRC timing was adjusted to the #2 cylinder!
The Stag was a good looking car, almost a ‘big brother’ styling of the late model Spitfires. That British V8 had some problems with oil flow but it could be rectified but alas.. it was a little too late. I saw a few with Corvette power plants installed and almost bought one… the price and the performance was right but it just didn’t happen. It is just one of those ‘quirky’ cars that just never was accepted.
I recall considering a used one around 1990. Very interesting car. This one appears to be reasonably priced. Thanks for sharing.
From what I’ve read the early cars had a lot of trouble with the engine. Once the problems were sorted out the car’s reputation had been broken and so the sales reflected this.
I don’t want to make this political, but when the government started managing the British auto industry they killed it in about 5 years then kept it alive at the expense of taxpayers.
Gross oversimplification I suppose.
But I don’t think I’m wrong.
This is prime BL Malaise car. Based on Triumh 2000 plarform with an under-developed V8 which no other car shared, the Stag was not a strong seller in any market. The engine gave a lot of problems but not a lot of power.pl
Is this V8 a derivative of the old 215 Buick V8 sold to them or is this a different engine?
Not the same. Very different.
IIRC, the Stg V8 was a design of 2 1500 4 cyl motors “stuck together” in a V and an interference engine to boot.
I’m curious, did the 1973 US version have 14″ or 15″ rims/tires?
Relisted for a lower asking price.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/365119706314