1962 Triumph Vitesse convertible

In 1959 when Standard-Triumph introduced the Standard Herald, they also conceived of a six-cylinder "power" version. Triumph engineers shoe-horned a 2-litre version of this six into a modified Herald. The Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti conceptualized new front styling and the car was given a reworked, sturdier chassis frame than the Herald.

The result was a potent sporting saloon with its 2-litre engine giving 160 km/h performance. In its day it was more than a match for the MGB or Sunbeam Alpine, and was marketed to the sports car enthusiast with a growing family.

The Vitesse was launched in 1962 with a 1600 cc six-cylinder twin Solex carburetted engine that developed 70 bhp @ 5000 rpm and 125 Nm torque @ 2800 rpm.

With a traditionally British interior: full instrumentation and lavish wood veneers, it was offered in Saloon and Convertible versions.

In 1965, the Solexes were replaced by two Zenith-Stromberg sidedraft carburetors which significantly increased horsepower, acceleration and fuel economy.

In 1966, the Vitesse became a true 2-litre car with an upgrade to a 1998 cc motor that developed 95 bhp @ 500 rpm and 160 Nm torque @ 3000 rpm. It had all-synchromesh transmission, sturdier axles and differential, larger front disc brakes, and the 4.5" wide wheels.

The swing-axle rear suspension, so familiar to us in the Herald, had severe limitations. The 1968 Vitesse 2-litre Mark 2 had instead, a double- jointed half axle setup, utilizing the same transverse spring but adding a lower wishbone and rotoflex couplings and relocated trailing arm and shock absorbers. The rotoflex-equipped independent rear suspension greatly improved handling over the Herald.

A different camshaft and use of the "full-width" cylinder head gave a further increase in power to 104 bhp@5300 rpm. The last Vitesse was built in May 1971.