7 Rare Thoroughbred – Wignel Bodied Triumph Italia Which of the car marques, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, and Lancia all employed Michaelotis talent at one time or another. But dig a little deeper, and the sheer number of brands and models attributed to Michelotti is staggering. Every model since 1959, except the TR6, TR7 and Acclaim, has been credited for the good looks of one person.Īmong the remarkable heights of Italian car designers, Giovanni Michelotti is a name most gearheads may not have heard of. However, the enduring appeal of open-top sports cars doesn’t just pertain to the UK carmaker. Incorporating quintessentially British flaws, the name Triumph is popular among classic car collectors. Surprisingly, for a small open-topped sports car, the Roadster could pinch seat three on a single bench seat.
The existing four-cylinder remained physically unchanged, save for a small increase in compression bumping output to 65 hp. In addition to the cropped body and soft-top, the Roadster benefited from a tweaked drivetrain. A coupe/sedan under the model designation 14/60 with an open top two-seater simply called a Roadster. 9 Prewar Promise – Triumph Dolomiteīefore the destruction of the Holbrook Lane site, Trump’s first production car showed great promise. Triumph Motor Company filed for bankruptcy in 1939, suffering a terminal blow the following year at the hands of the Luftwaffe. In the early years Triumph focused its efforts on two wheels, first as a bicycle importer and then as a manufacturer.Ī bleak financial situation forced the sale of both bicycles and a growing motorcycle business, the latter being the only survivor to date under the Triumph name. The UK brand was widely recognized in classic car circles, however, did not produce its first car until 1937. Classic car enthusiast favorite Triumph Motor Company was founded in 1995.