Checklist

1970 - 1978 TRIUMPH STAG

BODY/CHASSIS Solid construction with a minimum of rust traps has helped Triumphs survive for longer than many British designs, but time and neglect eventually take a toll. Check wheelarches for filler, bubbling around the windscreen, sills and floors. . More serious problems affect top suspension strut mounts and attachment points for the rear axle assembly. Make sure that the bonnet closes squarely and the boot seal isn’t damaged and allowing water to collect in the boot or spare-wheel well. Body panels and rust repair sections are available from UK suppliers but here they will usually need to be sourced secondhand.

ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION

Overheating destroyed many Stag engines and replacement blocks are hard to find. New internals are available but bearing noise might mean the crank journals have been ground once too often. Ensuring engine health demands an annual reverse flush of the cooling system and new coolant. Timing chain quality has improved but if you buy one and the chains haven’t been recently replaced, do it for peace of mind and thereafter every 40,000 kilometres. A bigger radiator than standard and thermo-fans help deal with Australian summers. Manual/ overdrive Stags aren’t common here and make sure the engine speed drops when O/D is engaged. Two different automatic transmissions were used and both are easily overhauled or replaced.

SUSPENSION/ BRAKES

Stag suspension is based on the proven design used for years prior in 2000/2500 models and simple to maintain. The only major weakness is sliding-joint half-shafts which seize if not regularly greased. These may have been modified by a Triumph specialist to take the more durable Datsun shafts. Listen for clicks and clunks from the rear when accelerating or cornering. Worn bushes send road shock through the steering wheel, notchy power steering points to a rack that needs reconditioning. Low-profile tyres and wheels with the wrong offset put strain on other components and at the rear can cause tyres to rub on the body or suspension components.

INTERIOR/ ELECTRICS

Seat trim kits are available from Triumph specialists or can be matched by a trimmer if the splits aren’t extensive. Brand-new carpet sets, sunvisors and door seals are also available. Dash veneer will split with age and heat exposure and UK suppliers ask around $1000 for kits of replacement veneer in various finishes. Check whether a car with a hardtop also comes with a soft top and inspect it for damage. Soft-top coverings in various material are available but not frames. Some people remove the rear seat to add storage space so make sure it comes with the car.