1971 Triumph

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

LE1162LO

Gasoline

It is my reluctant pleasure to make available this 1971 Triumph Stag VIN no. LE1162LO. First, and most importantly, this STAG was shipped to Los Angeles California as a new car in 1971, and has lived in sunny Southern California its entire life. The car has never suffered collision damage of any kind, and it has absolutely NO RUST even the slightest amount. I possess the original blue license plates for the car, and certify the rust free condition of the body and chassis. With that stated, how many STAGs have come on the market recently, which are otherwise attractive vehicles except for the fact that they have rust showing and where it shows, there is much more to come. I urge anyone considering one of these remarkable, beautiful automobiles, whether you buy my car or you don’t, PLEASE DON’T BUY A RUSTY CAR. Unless you are a very gifted metal worker and welder, with loads of time and money, just say NO. I am the past President of the Triumph Register and have owned four STAGs. My most recent one prior to this is the back cover car and the featured Federal STAG in James Taylors fine book, “Original Triumph STAG” by Bayview books. I do know my way around the cars and can supply references. I may not be the best restorer of Triumph cars in the world as there is some wonderful work being done but at great expense; I am competent, persistent and try to find excellent examples with which to work on and as this is my hobby and not my business, my crazy expenditures are not expected to be recoverable. I have fun, I make friends, and I drive wonderful cars. Some lucky buyer gets one now and then and saves themselves a lot of money and grief, and gets to personalize or finish a few details on a car that is good to begin with , and will be a sound investment. This car has been my personal and only STAG since the sale of the red show winning car five years ago. This car is a rare manual with overdrive from the factory, and also has the factory hard top. It has been both a labor of love and a car for someone who loves labor. I am sure I will forget things I have done to it, but starting with the most important items the engine has been completely rebuilt by knowledgeable workshop Frank Monise Motors, a British Car specialist I have used for more than 30 years, who specializes in British cars and has done several STAG engines for me with great success. This engine had the crankshaft taken to its first grind of ten under and was then balanced and nitride hardened at a cost of over $400.oo by a racing engine specialist who also balanced the rods and pistons prior to assembly. Everything was done, correct upgraded chains, sprockets, water pump, etc etc. A strong engine with great performance and superb oil pressure (matching gauge now fitted , no clock) with no leaks is the result. Fresh alternator, radiator and other major ancillaries rebuilt. The engine has not been highly detailed as this is a drivers car but more on that later. The overdrive gearbox was also rebuilt by Monise, and the car shifts sweetly and smoothly, and clicks in and out of overdrive as it should with a new harness and switch in the gearlever switched shift knob. The driveshaft of the car was fully rebuilt at great cost so that the sliding yoke, all flanges and u joints are all new, and the shaft was balanced. Brakes have all been rebuilt and a new three piece clutch was fitted. The car had never been repainted and we chose to stay with the original sable brown color, which is very elegant. We did not seek a show level paint job, but a durable and proper five coats of Dupont two stage were used with a great result as can be seen in the photos. Some very small imperfections , seen as slight dings, are still discernible in the finish, and the paintless dent removal expert I use stated they could all be resolved for less than $200.00. There is no bondo or filler in this car, and only minimal and minor body work was required prior to the repaint. I will leave remaining minor cosmetic choices to a new owner as this should be driven, and not placed in a hangar somewhere. The car overall, looks outstanding as can be seen and I am a tough critic having built show winners in the past. While painting, the windshield was removed and all new windshield and window rubber installed, with the full dashboard vinyl unit also being sent for recovering to a very high standard.. The quarter windows (wind wings) has new full rubber seals, as well as the door scraper seals, replaced. This is painstaking and costly work, but makes the car right for the next 30 years of its life. While opened up, both of the door handle pulls were replaced as these are prone to breakage after forty years and are fussy to change.Both power windows work, (the drivers is a bit slow…there’s a kit for that) and the full dash wood was professionally re veneered in burl walnut and creates a beautiful cockpit at a very high standard of luxury and appearance. This is where I live, and what I look at while driving so a lot of money was spent here. The upholstery was stripped out completely, and the carpet was sourced from Sports and Classics in Darien CT with a wonderful high grade padded kit installed. The seats had all foams replaced and the front buckets were done in genuine leather to the original patterns. All seat belts front and rear are present and working. The appearance, comfort, and environment in the interior of the car is joyful. The door panels are original, and have suffered some shrinkage. The car would benefit from a fresh pair, but they look quite good still and were retained as they were on back order at the time of the work at both UK suppliers I use. The convertible top mechanism functions very well, and smoothly, and a new single window style top was fitted. I used continental grain heavy gauge vinyl for the top as I expected it to go up and down a lot. Cloth is for shows, and vinyl is for drivers. It looks and fits just great and actually has no wear from being down only once. I drive my TR6 for top down motoring and the STAG is the luxury car. To the exterior, the original wire wheels were serviceable but unattractive. A brand new set of the correct size and spoke patterns from Dayton were sourced, with chrome and stainless spokes. They are beautiful and new knock on nuts were fitted as well with a very fine set of new radial tires with an exquisite ride and no road noise. The Exhaust was replaced at the silencer end, and all else is in good condition. Again, this car is just delightful on the road. I have an original style British Leyland radio in the car, for show purposes. I don’t play a radio while driving as the sound of the STAG V-8 is more lovely than a thousand voice choir. If the owner wants an antennae I will hook one up. So what is there still to do? Most importantly, this car needs a driver. It is extensively rebuilt and will prove to be a reliable and enjoyable car. It needs a speedo cable or angle drive at the moment, although I can include those parts and even install them given time to do it. There are some interior courtesy lights to make work, and I am not sure on the heater valve (its southern california!) I might add an electronic ignition if I kept the car as I find they really improve reliability over the dual points set up, but its fine. Pertronix is a great choice and economical. The trunk needs new floor boards and this is available as a kit. The plating on the actual bumper bars has not been done, and the appearance of the car would be near show quality if the new owner rechromed the bumpers themselves. The guards and plate frame in front are quite good but bumpers only fair. The hardtop is in excellent condition with some stains on the headliner which could just be redyed, but I do not use the hardtop where I live. It has the heated rear window, and all glass and hardware is good and exterior trim present. I can assist with economical WORLDWIDE shipping. I have references well beyond feedback, and I think this is a great opportunity for someone to enjoy a STAG that will be satisfying, and with some light fettling can be completed in all respects and even brought to show quality. Or, just enjoy the car as it comes. It will be delivered with a shop manual and original owners handbook and jack. It also comes with my support to answer questions and assist in any way. I will miss this car immensely, but a recent purchase of a collection of three TRs including a TR250 and TR4A IRS has my hands and space, completely full so something must give. I don’t have little ones to haul around anymore, so this bigger Triumph, their masterpiece, should be enjoyed by someone who will use and appreciate it. Call or email with your questions. Bobby.