‘I went to change a bulb and found a load of rust!’
1976 Triumph Stag Julian Leyton, Somerset
Didn’t you used to be head of PR for Citroën UK?
'Yes, I suppose I should own something French but I began my career as a service receptionist at a Triumph dealer so I have a great affinity with the Stag.'
You mean you had to deal with all the complaints?
'Well, yes. There were a fair few owners with engine problems, but over time I realised how good the Stag was. I became the UK’S youngest BL Parts Manager and we were quite busy with overheating Stags. Owners were advised to expect a bill of £1000, should they ignore the warning signs!'
That must have put you off?
'Not at all. I’m on my second Stag. I love them and you know what? They’re as reliable as any other classic. I bought my first in 1980, removed the engine outside my house and rebuilt it on the pavement. It ran perfectly for 18 months until I sold it due to family commitments. I retired in 2009 and bought my dream Stag – in British Racing Green with a beige interior. It has covered 24,000 miles in the last six years and it has never let me down.'
Did it need any work?
'I had the outrigger, floorpan and heelboard done at a Triumph specialist, who then started to list more and more issues. On one occasion, I went to change a headlamp bulb and seeing past the headlamp bowl, I spotted rust in the inner wheelarch. Bit by bit, the corrosion around the entire car has been eliminated.'
What about the rest of it?
'The engine and suspension have been overhauled and, having found a total of 26 sources of water ingress, I dealt with all of that and replaced much of the interior and fixed little details – such as the fuel warning lamp, which would come on when the tank was only half full!' Your garage has a trick up its sleeve, doesn’t it? 'Yes, although I love my Stag, the thing I'm perhaps most proud of isn't even the car. I designed and built my own wooden garage, which contains an electric hoist that allows me to remove or fit the hardtop singlehanded, in just a couple of minutes. It’s not only convenient but it’s all very Thunderbirds isn’t it?'