Bill’s Stag is real monarch of glen
Just look at the classic sporting lines on this beauty.
It’s a legendary Triumph Stag convertible, dating from 1976 – and it’s the pride and joy of 83- year- old Bill Torrance.
Bill has owned the stunning Inca Yellow coloured model for 23 years.
And he knows its early history, as previous owners are all members of the same family in the south of England.
This has been a great summer for getting the car’s soft top down and enjoying the thrill of the open road and Bill was recently at Stag rallies in Moffat and at Glamis Castle.
The Stag will be one of the classic cars at the Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club show at Ayr Cattle Market on Sunday, July 22.
Bill was born and bred in Symington, later attending Prestwick Public School.
He worked as a mechanic at Bryson’s Garage in Prestwick, before moving on to British Aerospace.
Bill, who now lives in Ayr, retired in 1992 from his job as aircraft planning engineer and bought his Mk2 Stag in 1995 to keep him active in his retirement.
“I’ve made loads of new friends at rallies and road runs,” said Bill, now a widower. Although a mechanic himself, Bill entrusts servicing and repairs to his pals Rod and Kevin at Ayr’s Autotec garage.
The stylish Stag design is by Italian maestro Giovanni Micheloti, but the car was branded unreliable, after its launch in 1970 - mainly due to overheating problems. Bill said: “The Mk1 radiator capacity wasn’t good, and this spoiled its chances of success in America.”
Most of the faults were later ironed out, but less than 26,000 Triumph Stags were produced between 1970 and 1977.
This 3 litre only pushes out 145bhp with a top speed of 120mph. It is believed around 9000 may survive, with around 7700 taxed and roadworthy.
The Ayrshire Post would like to feature other classic cars over the next few weeks.
Does your auto fit the bill? Would you like to tell us about it? Contact Post editorial on ( 01292) 262200.