Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Triumph 1300 Royal - The same, only different

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on December 18, 2024

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

10

Bruno von Rotz

9

Archiv

15

Daniel Reinhard

10

Bruno von Rotz

9

Archiv

15

Intended as the successor to the Herald, the luxurious 1300 eventually became the little brother of the Triumph 2000

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 in the color "Laurel Green"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 in the color "Laurel Green"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Downward trend: The 1300 sold well, but was still unable to meet the expectations of its manufacturer

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

While the large 2000 has twin headlights, the 1300 has to make do with single lights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

In contrast to the 2000, the emblem on the Triumph 1300 dispenses with baroque decoration. The air scoop is only a dummy

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Royal with cheese: the Triumph 1300 only bore the royal addition to its name in Switzerland

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mix of styles: in contrast to the front, the rear lettering has serifs. Vertical tail lights and chrome-framed spoiler lip like the 2000

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Unconventional: engine capacity as a central badge on the rear bumper

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The gearshift grows directly out of the gearbox without any deflection. Also nice to see: The adjustment options for the steering column and the ingenious recessed window crank

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Wood, carpet and (artificial) leather: the 1300 is decidedly classy for a small car. Typical Triumph: the warning lights combined into a "cake"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

One carburetor and 61 hp had to suffice at first. It was not until 1967 that more of both were optionally available

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

As a sporty and luxurious compact saloon, the Triumph 1300 was positioned above the front-wheel-drive 1100s of the BMC on the market

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The profiled flank is reminiscent of the Triumph Herald, which the 1300 was originally intended to replace

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The false scoop on the hood gives the high-rise drive unit a little more headroom

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The track is wider than on the larger 2000 and gives the 1300 a very stocky appearance

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Short overhangs at the front and rear. The tear-off edge on the roof conceals the forced ventilation of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Family resemblance: The 1300 is the spitting image of its big brother

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - front-wheel drive, compact sports saloon below the Triumph 2000

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - very early example at a press demonstration in England

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1967) - nimble thanks to 61 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 TC (1968) - the version with two carburetors, recognizable only by the emblem on the mudguard

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - in contrast to the Herald with four doors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1966) - Rear seat with folding center armrest

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1966) - shiny chrome cutaway model of the drive unit including front axle - Geneva Motor Show 1966

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - Transparency drawing

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 Royal (1967) - Swiss advertisement: the family-friendly replacement for the Spitfire

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph Dolomite Sprint (1975) - with aluminum wheels and vinyl roof

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 TC (1968) - twin carburetor version with 76 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1966) - front-wheel drive, compact sports saloon below the Triumph 2000

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - side view left

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1965) - side view right

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph 1300 (1966) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1966

You have only

1 out of 34

images seen in high resolution

Summary

No ladder frame, no rear-wheel drive, no compromises - the Triumph 1300 did almost everything differently from its predecessors. But with a long-stroke engine, plenty of wood veneer and a botched model policy, it still remained British enough to be recognized as the offspring of its brand. This article describes the development of the first (and last) Triumph with front-wheel drive and shows historical images and sales material.

This article contains the following chapters

Stacked drive
Italian in form and sophistication
Sporty or regal
Complicated simplification

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Triumph driver in the 1967 advertisement doesn't look very enthusiastic, of course not - after all, he had just had to swap his two-seater sports car for a family-sized saloon. But he could have done a lot worse. After all, only a few sports car drivers in the mid-sixties were lucky enough to be able to remain loyal to their brand - with hardly any loss of driving dynamics. Project "Ajax" was originally intended as the successor to the Triumph Herald launched in 1959. Despite its undisputed practical advantages and rather pretty body shape, the £700 small car did not sell as well as hoped. In fact, the Herald was so unpopular that Triumph - although the TR3 was more successful than ever - made a loss of almost 20 pounds on every car built. Fortunately, after the takeover by truck manufacturer Leyland in June 1961, Standard-Triumph had enough money again for a new development.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: