Sensible Secondhand Classics: 1972 Triumph Stag Mark I Automatic - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

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Welcome to Sensible Secondhand Classics, the series where we take a sensible classic car worth between £1000 and £5000 and put it through its paces in a very straightforward manner! This time, as we test a 1972 Triumph Stag Mark I Automatic, we complain about overlight steering (again), get into the back just for Mr Manning from Matty's Cars, get specific about engine designs and generally experience very little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
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[@frothe42]

Sounds absolutely delightful! It cements for me as one of my favourite British classic cars.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think that you probably know more about these than I do, sir!

[@seancooke7332]

The Stag was beautiful new and it is beautiful now. It really was a car that was aspired to in the 1970s and an event when you encountered one on the road. A true Classic.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@seancooke7332 , sir, we did enjoy this one very much, a rare treat!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A beautifal car is the stag, especially in this colour with a red vinyl interior. A excellent review as always sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I was very privileged to have been offered this, sir. It's taken a very long time to get hold of one, but I am really glad that I waited and enjoyed some delayed gratification.

[@richardhowlett9424]

51 year old beauty . Thanks for bringing it to us .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

These cars may have had a lot of problems back in the day, but they do look very nice, and the provence on this one is unbelievable!

[@roygardiner2229]

That car is truly beautiful. Even the opening shots showing the sky above lifted my spirits. Who would not enjoy such a beauty? I would. Thanks for an enjoyable review.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a car with rather a poor reputation, even today 53 years after launch, and this is, of course, somewhat justified. However, having driven a well sorted example like this, which has been with the same owner since 1979, I must admit that I very much enjoyed it, although using the wind deflector is an excellent idea...

[@mpersad]

What a stunning example of a classic Triumph. The owner has clearly cherished it from when he bought it from new. Stunning car, terrific review, thank you, sir!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I can't believe how long he has had it, and that he actually let me have a go in it!

[@kevcracknell4542]

One of my all time favourite cars, excellent video Joseph

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, Kevin! Glad you enjoyed the video. I was truly privileged to have been offered one of these, I must say.

[@camperlustig68]

Good Evening Sir!!! Possibly the best looking car Triumph or even the British Motor industry ever made, As usual a massive opportunity missed by Triumph due to reliability caused by bad management decisions.. Fantastic colour by the way

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh my goodness me, so many mistakes made at British Leyland! It is a lovely colour, condition is great, and yes, it looks brilliant too, doesn't it?

[@Dino_Dad.]

Lovely Sir. This is the reason I bought a 2500 tc here in Melbourne. My neighbour had a stag with a Ls1 and got me thinking. But generally these cars had so much potential. And the v8s are now pretty sorted so win win

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, I am pleased that you enjoyed this video. We do like a nice Triumph 2000/2.5 PI/2500, don't we? This Stag is in particularly good condition.

[@seancooke7332]

Apologies for skipping some videos but this is one that I could not wait any longer to savour. Absolutely beautiful car that sounds beautiful also. My Father owned a 1973 Triumph 2000 which had great suspension that was comfortable, handled well and could put its power down with no problems. The Stag, however has perfect proportions, timeless interior and timeless exterior looks. You are indeed a very privileged individual Sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, glad you enjoyed this video. It does sound very good, and there are relatively few contemporary reviews of the Stag on KZbin from the "usual" channels for some reason (as opposed to Jeremy Clarkson's opinion in 2000, which is very good), so I was extremely privileged to have been given the opportunity to try this. I would also like to try a 2000/2.5 PI/2500, which Mr Coleman would very much like as well, I think.

[@philipwardle6820]

A very pretty pretty car, clearly much cared for. Thanks for sharing.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I was truly blessed to be offered this car in such good condition, with such an amazing history of ownership. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Really enjoyed this video Mr Lloyd, the engine sound fantastic, I wish you did the kickdown in it, music to my ears. The Stag is such a handsome car and one of BL best efforts, the interior design is very good and looks up market, especially with the electric windows and the plentiful auxiliary gauges. I would love a Stag in Magenta, with a custom beige leather interior and burr walnut dash.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, you know how we drive on this channel... There wasn't going to be too much kickdown action, was there? We got plenty of V8 noises nevertheless. We liked the power steering, the electric windows and the full complement of instruments very much indeed. Thank you ever so much indeed again for watching!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@Lloyd Vehicle Consulting Absolutely, one must show restraint on camera.

[@chriscurtis5958]

Great review as usual, same registration and year as my Stag BLJ (Bournemouth reg) the red interior is a very rare and sought after it was only available for the first year of production. Not surprised there is mass confusion between early and late Stags, this is because a lot of owners make their MK1 look like a mk2 indeed this car is wearing a coach line from a mk2 which it wouldn't have done from new. You rightly mention the pre-production press car engines were put together much better than the production Stags, this mainly due to casting sand not being removed from cylinder heads, which caused overheating, any engine that has been apart should now have this issue eliminated. Happy motoring.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@chriscurtis5958 , I did have a good look into the issues which were reported for the Stag, both back in the day and more recently, and there were so many I couldn't really cover them all and talk about them intelligently, so I decided to refer to the Honest John Classics site instead. That's right, this Mark I would not have had the side stripes originally (although they do look good), that red interior actually suits it very well. I would have thought that most of the overheating must have been sorted by now given they went out of production over 45 years ago!

[@stevesalvage1089]

Yes wonderful brilliant vehicle, as you say people didn't understand how the cooling system worked , all sorted now , I remember them working in the various garages , never a problem , because they were being serviced ! Simple to work on , loads of help out there now , enjoyed this video thank you ,

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, Steve! Glad I got the information right overall. Yes, both garages not understanding how it worked, and the owners panicking/skipping servicing probably did not help the Stag's reputation. They are remarkably affordable cars compared with something like a Mercedes SL R107, and there are quite a few around, so they will probably remain classics for some time to come.

[@richardw64]

Maybe because they aren't so expensive to buy means that more people are likely to acquire one and look after them. This is a good thing.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the prices remain quite low for many examples, although I know you can pay considerably more than £10,000 for a really nice one. They remain one of the most popular classics in this country, I saw two on the road yesterday alone.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thanks for this video! Yes we had these in New Zealand, we loved - and even made - Triumphs (Although the sports cars were imports)! Very Italian isn't it?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I remember that the 2000s and 2500s were made in Australia and New Zealand.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting My Aunt had a blue 2000.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting PS spot the similarities to other Italian or Italian designed cars from that era...Fiat Dino, Fiat 124, Isuzu 117, Peugeot 504 Coupe...

[@mattw8332]

That is stunning. 😍 The dashboard vents look a little similar to the Austin Maestro ones (pre 1986).

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think that the dashboard was probably designed before 1968, so all Triumph engineering there. Thank you for watching, sir!

[@nygelmiller5293]

Another down -to earth clear review! Keep up the good work. I'm amazed about the glove compartment light being on the LID. How's that going to shine into the glove compartment, when it isn't inside it? Also, regarding the beautifully detailed number plate light. Yes, it DOES have the Triumph name badge - but I wonder if, like other cars with the light ON THE BUMPER, whether the illumination actually does REACH the number plate? Also, whilst I was impressed that the over riders had a plastic or rubber cushion insert - to prevent scraping another car you may nudge if you parked too close - this advantage was LOST where the exhaust stuck out past the over riders anyway! A fault that has persisted until only a few years ago! I'm delighted that this model has the original design of wheels, which are my FAVOURITE! I like cars to have "flat" wheel like this, and not dished in ones like the later ones. I think wheels should be flat, so they don't stick out, or bulge in, "disturbing" the smooth lines of the overall shape of the side view of cars!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Lots and lots of similar ones on the Sensible Secondhand Reviews/Classic playlist on the channel now. The steering is a bit over-assisted, but a car like this is probably best with power steering in many situations, of course. The owner has had it for an unbelievably long time, so it was a real privilege to have been offered a go in this. The glovebox light is in a really weird place in these Mark Is. It's actually rare to find these original spec steel wheels on a Stag in my experience, but this is a sign of a car which is actually very straight and unmodified.

[@nygelmiller5293]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting thanks for replying!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@nygelmiller5293 , we aim to please, sir!

[@andrewbradbury4433]

I have owned a Stag since 2007 and I can't ever see myself parting with it, just to correct a small error in a very good video, the light in the glove compartment lid is map light, not a glove compartment light.

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

A truly beautiful car and always helps you keep up with your mechanical skills like putting in a decent cooling system a better and more reliable engine like the rover V8 orthe Ford 260 ----289 or the Chevrolet 283 A better gearbox that doesnt leak oil a standard front suspension and not a mix match of Triumph a Jensen Interceptor part and polyurethane bushes rathe4 than rubber ones Apart from all that it has great door handles

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, most certainly lots of modern day improvements can be done on these to make them easier to own. The door handles are very good, aren't they? Thank you ever so much indeed for watching!

[@alaricbragg7843]

Apparently the problems from old are now very easily fixed with modern technology and fitting things right!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

You are correct, sir!

[@chrisspain7776]

The Stag cooling system can be easily improved by adding a high level coolant header tank. It's the first thing I do when buying one.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They should have designed it like that in the first place, shouldn't they?

[@alaricbragg7843]

Modern synthetic coolant would probably be ideal for these V8 engines given that tap water purifications include chemicals that affect some metals, probably another reason why they broke down in the early years.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was a combination of poor design, lack of understanding from contemporary mechanics and neglect (deliberate or otherwise) from owners, I think.

[@andrewbradbury4433]

These engines need a glycol based coolant, changed every 2 years. Synthetic coolant is not recommended by any of the specialists I know.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@andrewbradbury4433 Thanks for that information! 🙂

[@evileyes4070]

The Mythological White Stag. Best colour

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Ever been Stag hunting, sir?

[@evileyes4070]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I have. I got a White Stag L reg 25 Triumph Straight engin. Twin Carb intake. I have disconnected the Power Steering so to feel the road . The vehicle got a good wailing sound. 😎😍 also got the Manual gear OD.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the power steering is not really necessary once on the move. A well sort Stag is actually quite a delightful car.

[@evileyes4070]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes . I saw the white Stag in the film Straw Dogs and always wanted one sir

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There's always a reason behind every decision like that, sir, isn't there?

[@MrDodgedollar]

£20000 minimum price for this example

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't think that the owner wants to sell it. He has had for over 40 years, and he absolutely loves it. I was truly privileged to have driven this. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@virgin26]

At least. To restore a stag now, you are looking at well over 30k, if you get a garage to do it

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

It's a Staaaaaaaaggggg :)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Indeed, sir! It's a very nice one too.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I started a youtube channel and sent you an email sir. also, there are a few videos for you to check out already up :)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, you are too kind!

[@lewis72]

Virtually no difference between a Mk1 & Mk2 Stag... just wheels and a few bits of trim.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't even really know why people make a distinction, if I am honest, as it's not very easy to tell them apart.

[@MrDodgedollar]

Loads of details that are different but it is like Spot the difference! For a start the Mk1 / Mk2 name tag stuck.. But there was no such thing! There was 5 separate Sanctioned cars each with changes but were subtle but changes never the less. A big over looked one was the squab details where simplified and “cheapened” in the later cars ( Not as Comfortable) .. very overlooked- This car is the nice early version

[@lewis72]

@@MrDodgedollar Many cars of the same mark release had running changes.

[@randhirjohal3421]

Is this for sale

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am afraid not...

[@randhirjohal3421]

How much

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Not sure, I am afraid, the owner has had it for 44 years, and has no plans to sell it.

[@giorgiorizzi2004]

Per me la Stag rientra nel novero delle belle auto.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@lewis72]

Triumph (yet again) screwed up by only offering 1 engine. Merc offered quite a range with their SL, so Triumph should have gone with a 2500-six, this V8 (which was crap then) and also put the Rover V8 in it later, then they could have dropped the lemon of a Triumph V8 and sold it as a 2500-six and the Rover V8.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

These days, there are so many improvements to this engine out there that it is possible to run them relatively reliably, but back in the day, they were indeed a bit of a nightmare.

[@garychilds1130]

Terable music

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Don't watch it if it is so terable, then... Don't be a terrible waste of your own time.

[@emilefouquet9005]

A Triumph Stag is a garbage can, that is well known for having the worst automobile engine, ever produced by any manufacturer. With an Automatic Gearbox it's even worse.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I have driven far, far worse cars than one of these.

[@virgin26]

Not you again! ....... I have had mine since 1975, and it's not put a foot wrong, so what you are saying is Garbage

[@emilefouquet9005]

@@virgin26 You say you've had yours since 1975, and it's not put a foot wrong ? What does that mean in English ? It doesn't matter how long you own something relative to quality or value. Your engine is garbage, but obviously you cannot understand why. If you are fluent in English, go and do some homework you might learn something !

[@virgin26]

@@emilefouquet9005 you should engage your brain before you open your mouth

[@chrisspain7776]

You obviously know nothing about these engines and are just repeating drivel spouted by others who also know nothing! Built properly they are sweet, and reliable.