Beautiful, high-quality older restoration. Two tops. Original SOHC V8 engine, 4-speed, independent suspension. Nicely sorted, drives very well. Forget the things you’ve heard, the Stag is a great car!
This car was finished in the early 2000s, and at the time it was widely regarded as the finest of its type. Since then others have been restored to today’s concours standards but this handsome Saffron Yellow Stag still holds up under scrutiny. Rust is, of course, a terminal condition on the Stag, so you’ll be relieved to learn that this car has lived its entire life in a warm, dry climate and has no signs of rust or rust repairs during the restoration. Although the paint is approaching its 20th birthday, it’s holding up beautifully and thanks to proper storage and modest use, it remains very attractive today. Nice chrome, proper badges, and an early application of clear taillight lenses give the Stag the requisite upscale look (remember that it cost more than $7000 in 1971—yikes!).
Nobody does interiors like the British, combining natural materials and classic design to create inviting passenger compartments. The black high-back buckets are supportive and comfortable and the back seat, while not for long-distance jaunts, provides space for kids or luggage, making the Stag a good choice for a road trip. Big, round Smiths gauges look great in the wood instrument panel and for a British car, the ergonomics are pretty good with controls falling easily to hand, although the markings are kind of cryptic. The 4-speed manual offers crisp throws and good clutch action, along with gear ratios well-suited to the 3.0 liter V8 up front. A newer AM/FM stereo radio was retrofitted to the car sometime in the late ‘70s, but you probably won’t need it anyway after you hear this thing on the road—it has what is arguably the greatest engine note of all time (yeah, no joke). There’s almost zero wear on any of the soft surfaces and everything works—gauges, lights, signals, everything. The T-brace was a necessary addition to reinforce the structure after Michelotti decapitated the 2000, and all Stags include a folding canvas top and a color-matched removable hardtop. The fully upholstered trunk is large enough for a few overnight bags.
The 3.0 liter SOHC V8 engine has a reputation for being finicky, but the past 50 years have taught enthusiasts how to keep them happy and healthy. The largest problem stems from the high-mounted water pump, which was one of SAAB’s design requirements. Armed with five decades of learning, it’s easy to keep the sweet-running V8 healthy and the most desirable Stags retain their original engines rather than some kind of engine swap. Rebuilt to stock specs and nicely tuned, this one fires easily with a bit of choke, idles nicely, and delivers smooth torque that you’d expect from a grand tourer like this. A pair of Stromberg carburetors inhale through the original airbox, and only the yellow spark plug wires are non-stock (but a nice addition). Maintain it properly, and this engine will be entertaining for many years to come.
The 4-speed manual is a great feature, making the Stag feel sporting where the SL might feel a little conservative. The 4-wheel independent suspension has that supple yet competent feel that only the British seem to have mastered and disc brakes up front provide plenty of stopping power. You’ll also note that power rack-and-pinion steering was standard and it gives the Stag a very modern feel on the road. It’s a unit-body car, so the structure underneath is critical, and on this car you’ll find solid original floors and subframes that haven’t been cut or twisted in a wreck. Dual exhaust pipes give the car that spectacular engine note I mentioned and twin stainless tips are there just because they look cool. There are signs of use, of course, because this is a car that really does reward the driver most of all, but other than some grease and grime, there are zero issues underneath. Handsome 5-spoke alloy wheels were standard equipment and they’re arguably more attractive than the wire wheels that were frequently fitted. With right-sized 215/60/14 Yokohama radials, both ride and handling are improved.
Documentation includes original manuals, service books, brochures, and a collection of literature specific to the care and feeding of a Triumph Stag.
Has the Stag’s moment arrived? With a high-quality older restoration that’s properly sorted and used just enough to keep it healthy, this is a quality example that will continue to attract attention and reward its owner. Ignore the guys who will only tell you about its faults and instead try it on for size. It’s fast, fun, unusual, practical, and yes, the soundtrack is fantastic. Call now!
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Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
