BL’S ‘WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEENS’

All three of the cars featured here were prototypes that sadly never made it into production. They’re now housed in the British Motor Museum’s Collection’s Centre

1972-78 TRIUMPH LYNX

Intended as a replacement for the Stag, the Lynx was based on the TR7’s platform with its wheelbase extended by 12 inches. Power would have come from the Rover V8. Several problems counted against it, chiefly the closure of Triumph’s Speke factory.

WHAT ALEX THINKS ‘It drives incredibly well for a prototype. Direct steering, a lovely engine, roll-free cornering and plenty of space, it would have been a cracker. I’d have one tomorrow.’

WHAT GORDON THINKS ‘Were you to drive the Lynx now it would still hold its own, with a bit of tweaking here and there. The fundamental package would have worked.’

1982 BL ECV3

Following the formation of BL Technology (the company’s new development department), Spen King came up with this machine boasting a drag coefficient of just 0.24 and weighing just 664kg. Its engine formed the basis of what would become the K-series.

WHAT ALEX THINKS ‘If only BL had had the money and resolve to let Spen King see this car through to production – nobody makes small cars this spacious, lightweight and efficient even today.’

WHAT GORDON THINKS ‘It shows what Spen King was capable of when given the freedom to design without restrictions. Anyone who saw it at the time would have been taken aback.’

1971-75 TRIUMPH SD2

Technically similar to the SD1, the SD2 was to replace the Dolomite. However its expensive RWD layout proved divisive with upper management. According to internal documents from September 1974, it had the potential to sell 50,000 a year globally.

WHAT ALEX THINKS ‘It needed to look better than this rather rough prototype, but with its hatchback, injected 16-valve engine and superb chassis it could have shaken up the premium European sports saloon market.’

WHAT GORDON THINKS ‘If you compare it to the car it was intended to replace, I think this would have been a runaway success. At its time, it was stunning.’