BUYING WITH CONFIDENCE
CONCOURS £25k- 45k+
1 CORROSION FREE
Few have escaped the need for welding. Be fastidious about structural repairs; are they honestly done well enough to demand concours money? 2 A CUT ABOVE
Originality and provenance are what makes a car stand out the most. Classy restos aren’t particularly rare, so be very choosy. 3 SPEC-TACULAR?
In truth, drivetrain configuration and vintage have little effect on Stag values, so long as they’re original. But well-heeled collectors aren’t as fussed by specification as they are by overall condition.
GOOD £7K- 30k
1 IMPORTS
Many Stags have been imported from the USA, but rust sets in after a few years on British roads. What was solid then isn’t necessarily now. 2 MODS – WORTH IT?
Auto/manual swaps and Rover V8s can prevent concours status of otherwise lovely Stags. Good option if you’re not fussed about silverware. 3 DON’T BE FOOLED
There are plenty of very handsome Stags out there, many of them with recent resprays. Not so many have the structural integrity to match the shiny paint. So be prepared to get your knees dirty.
USABLE £3k- 8k
1 SERVICING
Both Rover and Triumph V8s demand meticulous servicing so think twice before turning a blind eye to a shoddy service history. 2 PRIORITIES
Interior trim and fixings aren’t hard to source, so renovation can be viable. Structural rot and engine issues are a different matter. 3 BE SAFE
Virtually all Triumph Stags will be exempt from the annual MoT from May this year. Some sellers may take advantage of this, so make sure that the car you’re buying is really fit for the road.
PROJECT £1k- 5k
1 RUST
This is the deal-breaker. Scrutinise common areas (such as wheel arches, sills etc) plus the front crossmember and outriggers. 2 IS IT VIABLE?
With values climbing, restoration is becoming increasingly worthwhile, but it’s advisable to do most of the work yourself to avoid silly bills. 3 DODGY REPAIRS
Older restos often weren’t done to a sufficiently high standard, so they might need doing again if you’re aiming high with the finished car. It’s possible to spend up to £20,000 on the body shell alone.