Driving The LAST Triumph Stag EVER MADE - Bolly The Stag

In this video we look at the last every Triumph Stag to come off the production line in Canley in the UK. This 1977 Mk II Triumph Stag. We also discover the HIDDEN SECRET of Bolly The Stag (as we call her) that the Museum wanted to keep hidden from us!
Bolly The Stag is all original from when it rolled off the production line with zero modifications as it was sent to its home at the British Motor Museum straight from the factory. The Motor Museum give us a tour of Bolly The Stag, give us its history and tell us about the challenges they have with Bolly, as well as the whole classic car collection.
This is one of over 300 Classic Cars at the British Motor Museum, which also houses the Jaguar Daimler Trust Car Collection, even more classic cars for the Museum to take care of.
British Motor Museum Curator, Cat Griffin, gives us the history of Bolly The Stag, the SECRET they didn't want us to find out, and talks to us about what they do at the Museum to preserve the motoring heritage of their classic car collection.
I thoroughly enjoy myself at the Motor Museum and get to do more than just talk about Bolly The Stag!
Join me as I go through the ins and outs of this immaculate 1977 classic Triumph Stag Mk II and show you the last ever Triumph Stag to ever be made in the UK.
And if you would like to see 1 of ONLY 2 Triumph Stag 4 x 4's EVER to be made, then check out this video here
• Last EVER Triumph Stag...
And if you would like to know how we got on with buying a Stag at a Car Auction with risky challenges.. watch this video here
• DISASTER - Collecting ...
And If you'd like to see what happened last time around, a year ago with another 2500 S Saloon, again bought unseen, watch this video here:
• Triumph 2500 S Project
Free 'Arry The Stag Badge of Honour here...
www.arrythestag.com/badge-of-honour
And sign up for your Saturday Sockets Email every Saturday ...
www.arrythestag.com/saturday-sockets
Join us on our Facebook Group too at
/ arrythestag

[@terrywrist8448]

what a beauty and the stag looked good as well

[@SubTroppo]

As a Coventry boy I am very proud of the Stag and preferred its looks to the Jaguar XJ-S.

[@gerry5134]

The XJS convertible isn't bad looking either, but yes I prefer the stag too.

[@davidspicer2082]

Harry the Stag. Allowing enthusiasts to have the chance to see, look around, and even drive these cars is what it's about. Long may it continue.

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks David - the British Motor Museum were brilliant and more than welcoming. Eager to help anyone and everyone too in so many ways.. from archive research, to simply going to see the fantastic collection of cars they have. Note that they are a Charitable Trust and so they are very much on the side of long term preservation for future generations to enjoy. All the best and thanks for your post! Kind regards TR T

[@warrenalexander5285]

The magnificent interior was simply classic Triumph.

[@TheLifeEvents]

Good to see a woman as a curator, I bet she has a great interest and knowledge of motors. excellent.

[@lrh6550]

Cracking car! Original, just how I like them. I’d keep the rear quarter badge exactly like that. Parts bin was probably empty at that time and they thought “that’ll do” love it.

[@bobwoods1963]

The parts bins were definately getting empty at the end of production. Mine has a LH rocker cover with 'Triumph' stamped upside down 😁

[@laurelgreentriumph]

My thoughts exactly, got to keep that rear quarter badge. Can't believe the fit of the boot lid on that car, very jealous here. But I did spot some orange peel on the bonnet paint so maybe a typical Leyland example of the day after all! Thanks for sharing TRT

[@julianleyton8668]

@@bobwoods1963 That happened some time earlier in production.

[@mkbo2565]

First Stag I drove was a Saffron yellow J reg auto in 1978 as a 17 year old love the style engine noise and uniqueness. Had a Inca yellow one a couple of years later would love one now but couldn't justify the prices 40 years plus on

[@agladman194]

According to the Government vehicle enquiry website, BOL 88V was manufactured in 1978 and first registered in Sept 1979. This explains the V plate (from Aug 1st 1979). Quite why the curator said its from 1977 remains a mystery to me. Beautiful car though. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@nodeloc1955]

I had exactly the same car reg WFA660S (76) in 1982/3 loved it but had terminal rust over heated for fun. I would have it back tomorrow.

[@sugoidessho]

Amazing condition but pity about the auto box. I have a 1976 Mk. 2 (only 2 owners from new, I'm the 2nd) in original white with biscuit interior and manual with overdrive. Sadly not with that low mileage (mine is 40k) or in that fantastic condition but I still love mine and the sound it makes. IMO one of the greatest, most handsome cars ever produced in the UK. Tragic that Triumph doesn't exist any more, I suspect the rebadged Acclaim was the final nail in BL/Triumph's coffin. As another commenter has posted, the colour is Brooklands Green not BRG.

[@ArryTheStag]

Fully agree - an Iconic Design! And yes, you're right Brooklands is the official colour! All the best TR T

[@daviddrew7852]

An absolute beaut!

[@lg5819]

Aston Martin are remaking the DB5 from Goldfinger, exactly like it’s original spec, so I just wished a manufacturer existed in the U.K. who would remake the Triumph Stag in the same way, but this time without engine troubles with the original V8 engine before BL decided to save costs by wielding two separate engines together. It’s such a beautiful car that deserved to succeed but it’s timing was plagued with troubles. I’m 51 now, but when I was growing up, I saw many of these on the roads, in the late 70s, early 80s. 🇬🇧

[@ArryTheStag]

The good news is that there are still over 8,000 Stags on the road in the UK, with a couple more thousand in garages/being rebuilt. Plus, several thousand on the roads around the World. A lot of the engine issues have now been sorted and with good maintenance are now a very reliable car to drive and enjoy. For example, during manufacturing (and because of poor quality control) casting sand was left in the V8 engine blocks - which lead to hot spots and ultimately the head gaskets failing. Dealers were unaware and simply kept fixing the symptoms not the cause - thus the Stag got known for its unreliability. BMW now owns the brand, so you do wonder whether or not the car will be recreated in the modern era! Either way, we can enjoy these cars nowadays as Triumph originally intended and Sharing The Classics Dream of their ownership is what it's all about! 'Arry The Staaaaagggg!! Thanks for posting! Best wishes TR T

[@nygelmiller5293]

To it 5819. I just LOVE the mark 2 Triumph 2000's the Stag Is based on! I had a dream that a garage that specialised in Mark 2 Triumph 2000's decided to bring those back into production! Imagine owning a 2000 saloon, AND a Stag!

[@philrogers2406]

Great video. . I would have to say that the curator is the most untouch. .

[@stevesalvage1089]

Very well filmed thank you to all involved ! As a ex garage mechanic the only car I wanted to drive again and again, I agree what is said the engine itself was very good never had any problems with them at all, it was the lack of maintenance that was the problem ,like check the water level , even modern engines have worse problems ,

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Steve! All the best TR T

[@julianleyton8668]

I’m a big fan but they did have their problems - speaking as a Triumph service receptionist in the 70s. Almost all of the six engines I’ve rebuilt in the last few years have had a noticeable amount of casting sand left in them, even after over 40 years - not conducive to a good cooling system :(

[@MiltonKeynesStreetLighting]

Great to see this Stag on the move. When i visited couple years ago i did wonder if they ran these cars or did they just sit. Cracking video!

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks James!

[@philrogers2406]

Brooklands green. .

[@ArryTheStag]

Spot on Phil!

[@alastairwilson457]

Brooklands green I think, mine is BRG and darker

[@ScaleSoarer]

I was surprised to see the electric window switches were still the traditional greyed out plastic😄

[@chriscurtis5958]

It's Brooklands Green.

[@bobspeller2225]

You lucky son-of-a-gun, What's it like driving what is as good as a new Stag? All the best Bob

[@chriscurtis5958]

Well done Tony good video, very jealous you got to drive it. 👍

[@ArryTheStag]

Hi Chris - thanks we had an absolutely great time!! All the best Kind regards Tony

[@normanchesshire4593]

The round air vent is actually a warning light cluster with a chrome surround

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Norman - we were talking about the square one in the middle. Best TR T

[@doodsydoodsy5370]

Glad to have owned a 1972 mk 1 stag with a Ford v 6 3ltr conversion Great memories I was only 21 UPU 458K WHERE ARE YOU NOW

[@jrYoutube1]

The badge is for the RHS so the manufacturer did it deliberately to recognise the last of the line lol

[@jasonward6841]

I love that 1 .Nice car .mint

[@professormcclaine5738]

Top museum 👍🏻

[@badbooks476]

New subscriber and Great video and you have smiles galore for obvious reasons. What an amazing car. My dad had a Princess in Brooklands Green, I wonder if it was the same colour. 10 years ago I was saving for a MGB automatic, Stags were out of my budget, but I bought a mx5 mk1 instead, which I have improved, preserved and maintained. So 10 years on I could now afford a MGB or Stag, but I love my old MX5 too much

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks for the post and yes it was Brooklands Green in the video so would be the same as your Dad's Princess! Great to hear about the MX5 - go here for a free Badge of Honour! if you like? www.arrythestag.com/badge-of-honour Tried to get into a friend's MX 5 the other day.. but I failed miserably I'm afraid..just too big!!! Best wishes TR T

[@badbooks476]

@@ArryTheStag You will fit in a mk1

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Bad books. I posted a comment earlier, saying that I thought it was Brooklands Green. We had a Brooklands Green Mark 2 Morris Marina in this colour, and they also did the MGBGT in this colour. All these cars looked great in this colour, to contrast with CHROME! British Leyland were REALLY fantastic in doing MATCHING cars, that had the same colours!

[@weaton25]

I have always loved the Triumph Stag ever since they first came out I am probably a bit odd in that I prefer it with the hard top version never been much of a fan of convertibles to me people driving them always look like they want people to look at them you can have a nice car without being a showoff type person that is what puts me off buying lots of nice cars seeing the type of people who drive them.

[@ArryTheStag]

Tend to agree - being ginger it’s almost too much with roof down during summer days! Love the hard top - somehow it gives the car an even more iconic look! Best TR T

[@joemclaughlin995]

Class!

[@gerry5134]

Steering wheel seems very upright 🤔

[@ArryTheStag]

Steering wheel was fine - didn't seem any different to our Stag. Thanks for posting! Join us on a weekend if you like www.arrythestag.com/saturday-sockets All the best TR T

[@gerry5134]

@@ArryTheStag Always loved these but never got to own one. They sound amazing. It was maybe just the angle of the camera which made steering wheel seem upright.

[@Ampex196]

Was the Stag fitted with a BW65 from around 1974-75.?? It was a stronger box than the 35 but suffered some reliability issues in 4.2 Jaguars. 4.2 XJs' were previously fitted with heavier BW type 8 or 12 transmissions. Both of my SD1's had type 65s' and they were lovely. They never gave any trouble at all. indeed, they were much better than the GM180 fitted from around 1983-84,

[@ArryTheStag]

BW65 was for the later cars, agreed. Our 1973 Stag has the BW35. All the best TR T

[@Ampex196]

@@ArryTheStag Thanks, the BW35 is listed (Wikipedia) as being fitted in an enormous range of cars, alphabetically from Austin to Volvo. I'm only guessing that the switch to the 65 was around 1974. The 73 Stag I used to drive had a 35. Actually, my 1982 SD1 had a type 66 though I gather there were very few changes from the 65. They appeared identical.

[@chriscurtis5958]

Why has it got a MK1 boot light fitted ? I note the MK2 boot lid lights don't work, strange ?

[@ArryTheStag]

Interesting - hadn't spotted that, so well done! Not sure - maybe we can ask next time we're talking to the BMM Best TR T

[@jrYoutube1]

That’s what Concours condition looks like

[@TheLifeEvents]

So Sad red Robbo messed it all up. Plus the Engine, if only! It could have been a world-beater!

[@robertpeach7956]

If that’s a 1977 then how come the your Stag Tony is 1978?

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Robert - all depends on when they were actually registered. Ours was 1978..but I know many more cars have been registered down the years even up to the last 10 or so believe it or not! The production date itself is the key thing. All the best TR T

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

August 77 to July 78 etc.

[@beowulf5982]

Absolutely beautiful Stag. How come the brake peddle rubber is so worn after 6500 miles is that normal for an automatic, maybe just short journeys since manufacture ?

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks she is a beauty and yes, I imagine being nigh on 40+ years ago, there have been lots of feet pressing on that pedal, even though it's a low mileage unit! Best wishes TR T

[@nygelmiller5293]

Would it be Brooklands Green?

[@chriscurtis5958]

Had to laugh at the rear badge, did they run out of badges 😁 It was the last one nobody cared by then. 😶

[@jasonward6841]

Ahhh slipped me that .

[@mrghiax]

Gorgeous Stag but Cat won it for me!

[@DPK12]

Great smile, hope you enjoyed the pub lunch

[@TheHowardski]

V plate would be a 79' or 80' not 1977 as the young lady pointed out.

[@mikeymo28]

Stags finished production in 1977. The car wasn’t registered for a few years after it was built..

[@rafthejaf8789]

Does the air vent have a silver surround?!!! OMG guy get a life! 😅

[@ArryTheStag]

A specific question from one of our 'Arry The Staggers! Best TR T

[@rafthejaf8789]

@@ArryTheStag Yes I know I was talking about him!

[@rafthejaf8789]

@@ArryTheStag Anyway a lovely car!

[@gordonsimpson3235]

Yes, the air vent that isn't an air vent!

[@bobwoods1963]

I have an identical Stag in the same Brooklands Green and live just around the corner from you. We should meet sometime. Mine is LD45387-O (335 Before the last one) Keep up the good work 👍👍

[@ArryTheStag]

Sounds good Bob! Best TR T

[@julianleyton8668]

Last was LD 45722

[@mikeymo28]

Yep mine is LD44407.. getting towards the end of the line. Was registered August 77…

[@bobwoods1963]

@@julianleyton8668 well spotted. Had put the body number instead of the chassis number. Didn’t realise they were different. Corrected. 335 before end of production . 👍

[@jasonward6841]

Brg

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Jason - on further review it is Brooklands Green All the best TR T

[@johnrandle8365]

The car was a mismatch between a good car but a dodgy Engine according to auto evo a failure in U S A nostalgia takes over failure of the british car industry like meridan years ago sold down the River as well .

[@ArryTheStag]

Agree at the time, however engine issues now largely sorted when well maintained. Some 8,000 Stags on the road still in the UK alone (and another 2,000 on SORN). Plus several thousand more worldwide, means they have at last become the enjoyable car they were meant to be originally. It was rubbish quality controls; strikes and dreadful working practices back in the 1970’s that caused such damage to the car’s reputation and ultimate demise. Best T R T

[@toneskill]

I will give you £30000

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

Shame,another automatic.Damn Yanks can never drive without a slushmatic.

[@sheilarodriguez2451]

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐦 😉