| THE TRIUMPH HERALD 1959 TO 1970 |
| The first Herald to go on sale to the general public in April 1959 was what has long since become one of the rarest versions: The Coupé. The car was equipped with features quite familiar to British sports car fans: four speed transmission; 948 cc engine with twin SU H1 carburettors and an output of 42.5 bhp net. Some features of the new car were considered quite novel at the time: independent rear suspension; an incredibly tight turning circle (25 ft.); "collapsible" and adjustable steering column; and a greatly reduced maintenance schedule through use of nylon and rubber bushes that virtually eliminated grease fittings on the chassis.
The Coupé was soon joined by a Saloon version, which allowed rather more room for a full rear seat. The Saloon was originally powered by a single Solex-carbureted, 34.5 bhp net version of the same 948 cc engine, though later the twin-carb engine would be offered as well. By March 1960, these two models were joined by a Convertible. In 1961 the 1200 was introduced, incorporating the same Coupé, Saloon and Convertible body styles with a larger engine and somewhat more relaxed final drive. A further upgrading of the 1147cc engine came with introduction of the 12/50, a 1200 Saloon with 51 hp engine, folding sunroof, different grille and uprated trim. Improvements continued, with all Herald 1200s eventually receiving the sturdier frame seen first on the 12/50 (and earlier on the Vitesse six-cylinder derivative) and a 48 hp version of the 12/50 engine. The Herald range continued until 1970. |
| My Mother bought a new Herald 1200 in about 1962. The car was painted two tone white and pastel yellow which actualy suited it quite well. We must have had the Mk VII at the time because I also remember driving the car to Gorton. The car had a very 'low torque engine' and to get it moving one had to use plenty of revs. To try and improve this problem the car was delivered to Downton Engineering where they did a head job (bigger valves) and put on two SU carbs. This did improve the cars ability to accelerate and it was quite fun to drive. Unfortunately, returning to Salisbury from up north one stormy winter evening, two trees were blown down into the road leaving a gap 9 inches less than the width of the Herald. Of course I did not see them until it was too late so I arrived home with a car somewhat narrower than when it left! The damage was not too bad and it was quickly repaired and handed back to Mother. The car was in the family for many years andit was eventually handed over to my younger sister, Sandra. I believe she also managed to modify it's shape on more than one occasion. |
| The whole of the front bodywork was hinged at the front and when opened it gave the best access to the works I had ever seen. (later the E type Jaguar had a similar lift-up front). As you can see above one could get at the engine and suspention very easily. As one can see from the rear suspention, on hard cornering, if the car was lightly loaded the outer rear wheel tended to 'tuck in' due to the exsessive positive camber. This could promote a sudden and quite exciting oversteer moment and as a result the back end would suddenly swing out! |
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