Triumph Italia
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| Triumph Italia 2000 | |
|---|---|
| Triumph | |
| aka | |
| Production | 1959-1962 329 Made |
| Class | Sports Car |
| Body Style | 2-Door Coupe |
| Length | 155.1 inches (3,940mm) |
| Width | 57.1 inches (1,450mm) |
| Height | 48.8 inches (1,240mm) |
| Wheelbase | 88 inches (2,235mm) |
| Weight | 2,155 lbs (977.5 kg) |
| Transmission | 4-speed Manual |
| Engine | 1,991 cc I-6 |
| Power | 100 hp (73.6 kW) at 5000 rpm |
| Similar | |
| Designer | Giovanni Michelotti |
The Triumph Italia 2000 Coupé was built between 1959 and 1962, during which time 329 cars were produced. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the TR3 chassis and mechnical components were supplied by the Triumph Motor Company in the United Kingdom, and built by Alfredo Vignale in Turin, Italy.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Triumph_Italia Review.
Recent Changes
Styles and Major Options
Specifications
First Generation/Origins
By most accounts, only 329 of the hand-formed bodied TR3s were ever built – know as the Triumph Italia 2000 Coupé. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Alfredo Vignale in Turin, under contract to Ruffino S.p.A. Industria Construzione Automobile of Naples – it was thought that these cars would appeal to people willing to spend more for the dependability and ease of obtaining stock mechanical parts, but who wanted a better looking car than the standard Triumph - "Italian bodywork at its best, British tradition in sports car engineering at its finest.”
At the time, Signore Salvatore Ruffino was the managing Director of CESAC, the Italian company that distributed Standard-Triumph in Italy. He approached Standard-Triumph to supply chassis and mechanical components to build 1,000 cars. The introduction of the closed-top, two seater was well received at the 1958 Turin Motor Show – “Italian artistry and British craftsmanship have come together and produced this new, superlative ltalia 2000 Coupé.”
Vignale began production in July 1959 with only a few changes to the original – rather than a slanting nose and covered glass headlights displayed on the prototype, a look similar to Michelotti’s Maserati 3500 design was produced. And although the first three cars had aluminum bodies, the rest used steel. Ruffino envisioned building 1,000 cars, between 1960 and 1962, with worldwide distribution including the American marketplace. He had a verbal agreement to have every Triumph dealer (720) purchase an Italia.
However, Ruffino’s vision didn't come to pass for a number of reasons. Faced with ensuing financial and labor problems, Standard-Triumph was taken over by Leyland Motors in 1961. Shortly afterwards, Triumph withdrew their support for the Italia. Perhaps fearing increased competition, Triumph concentrated their efforts on the new TR4 to be release in 1962. The TR4, also designed by Michelotti, clearly borrowed many elements from the Italia - the distinctive bonnet bulge, kick-up door with wind-up windows, and roomier modern body design.
Despite Triumph pull out, Ruffino S.p.A re-badged the car as the Italia 2000 and continued production. Over a three-year production period (mid-1959 to mid-1962) Vignale produced approximately 329 cars. Most all produced were left-hand drive with the probable exception of six cars. The last run of roughly 35 cars were based on the modified TR3B chassis rather that the TR3A, and benefited from the improved gearbox that had bean developed for the TR4.
Most Italia sales in America were handled by Stutz Plaisted Imports (Salem, Massachusetts). Even though production at Vignale came to a close in 1962, some of the last cars remained unsold until 1965. Slow sales can be attributed to the expensive $5,000 price tag ($1,000 premium over the TR3) and since body parts were not stocked outside Italy, buyers were required to sign a release form of acknowledgment.
Engine
Type
- Overhead-valve inline-four-cylinder iron block and cylinder head
Displacement
- 1,991 cc
Bore x Stroke
- 83mm x 92mm
Compression Ratio
- 8.5:1
Horsepower @ rpm
- 100 @ 5,000
Torque @ rpm
- 117.5-lbs.ft. @ 3,000
Valvetrain
- Chain-driven single overhead camshaft with four bearings
Main Bearings
- 3
Induction System
- 2 1.75-inch SU HU6 carburetors mechanical fuel pump
Electrical System
- 12-volt
Exhaust System
- Single
Transmission
Type
- Four-speed manual with Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive
Synchromesh on second trough fourth
Ratio 1st
- 3.38:1
Ratio 2nd
- 2.00:1
Ratio 3rd
Reverse
- 4.35:1
Clutch
- 9 inch, single disk
Differential
Type
- Semi-floating Salsbury-type
Ratio
- 4.1:1 with overdrive
- 3.7:1 without
Brakes
Type
- Hydraulic with mechanical handbrake
Front
- 10-inch solid Lockheed disc
Rear
- 9-inch Girling drum
Chasis and Body
Construction
- Channel Steel frame with cruciform
Body style
- Two-door coupe
Layout
- Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Steering
Type
- Worm and sector
Turns, lock to lock
- 2.25
Turning Circle
- 35 feet
Suspension
Front
- Independent, upper and lower wishbones coil springs with telescopic hydraulic shocks
Rear
- Solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever-arm hydraulic shock absorbers
Wheels
- 15 x 5 60-spoke chromed wire, steel rim and spokes
Tires
- 5.90-15 Dunlop RS5
Weights and Measures
Wheelbase
- 88.2 inches
Overall Length
- 155.1 inches
Overall Width
- 57.5 inches
Overall Height
- 48.5 inches
Front Tread
- 55.0 inches
Rear Tread
- 55.5 inches
Curb Weight
- 1,935 pounds
Capacities
Crankcase
- 5.5 quarts
Cooling System
- 6.5 quarts
Fuel Tank
- 12.5 gallons
Calculated Data
Hp per liter
- 50.22
Weight per hp
- 19.35
Weight per cc
- .97 pounds
Performance
0-60 mph
- 12.0 seconds
Standing 1/4 mile
- 18 seconds
Top Speed
- 109 mph
- 118 mph with overdrive
Pricing
Price when new: Approx. $5,000
Gas Mileage
Reliability
Safety
Photos
 Triumph Italia brochure |
 Triumph Italia brochure |
 Triumph Italia brochure |
 Triumph Italia prototype 1959 Turin Auto Show |
Colors
Main Competitors
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
- Low $20,000
- Average $30,000
- High $45,000
Criticisms
Worldwide
Design quirks and oddities
Awards
See also
External Links
- International Triumph TR Registry free database with Comission numbers and photographs of TR2-TR6s
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