Triumph Stag V8. Reliable? Stylish? Best sounding sports car in the world? Take another look.

[@Kry-le3dq]

I just bought a 50 year old Stag cos I had one years back and loved it - the purr of the engine was one of the main reasons I took the plunge again and the enjoyment of open top motoring ❤

[@sportscarstory]

Excellent! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.

[@stevesalvage1089]

I'm. An ex. Garage mechanic,, never had. Any problems with the stag ,, having driven everything ,,all the cult cars. ,looking back at all vehicles the stag was the best I have one now , so totally. Agree with you , lovely user friendly vehicles,

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks. I agree

[@dl242ti]

Thanks for a nice little tour of the Isle in the smooth Stag!

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks! I love the car and the island!

[@rowansweetman7810]

Absolutely agree with your comments on the reliability of the Stag and how sweat that motor sounds. I have a 3.9L Rover motor in my Stag with a five speed Toyota Celica gearbox which I do like but there is something to be said for the fabulous sound of the 3.0L Stag motor.

[@sportscarstory]

Yes I agree. There’s nothing wrong with the Rover engine either though - more power! Celica gearbox sounds interesting too. Have you got a BMW diff?

[@rowansweetman7810]

@@sportscarstory Currently running a Triumph 2500 diff but a BMW diff is on my list of to do's. I am also running CV rear axle/hub conversion. I fitted a short shifter on the gearbox so quite a short throw between gears.

[@frankabels5761]

I bought one a month ago and I drove it 6 times till now. Mine is a yellow one, he called Chester. I love the sound, the look, all of it. Even it is about 30 degrees here in Germany and every ride took about 3 hours, the engine didn't make any problems...my wife and the little man love the car, too. So I am very happy with my stag. I hope it will be like this a long time...wish you all the best and allways safe rides...

[@sportscarstory]

Thankyou! I wish you safe rides too. Stag’s look great in yellow!

[@johndavey72]

I trained as a panelbeater at South Devon Garages , Torbays premier Jaguar, Daimler , Rover , Landrover and Triumph dealers. In 1970 at 17years old l was given the job of delivering our demonstrator , also a m.o.d in Sienna to Keith Fordyce a very popular figure on "Ready, steady, go !" He had his own aircraft museum in Totnes . ......can you imagine it ? A 17 year old driving a Triumph Stag .....WOOF ! To be honest l never abused customers cars but a sales car was fair game 😈 Your Stag looks perilously close to Triumph Sapphire Blue .... and l too prefer the original steering wheel . From your description the car was originally Saffron , a very elegant colour (at the time!) A lovely tour on the lsle of Wight by the way !

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks John. Great story!

[@markwhitehead4645]

Don’t take this the wrong way Peter .. but by the sounds of your car collection ( cause I’m not jealous in anyway 😜) to say your Stag is the best sounding ,that must be a true reflection and opinion of them . Tells all the doubters out there what a fantastic understated and underrated car these beauties are .....As a ex Longbridge worker ... there the night they shut it .... B.L did make , after all , a super car of the 70s...the only comment I would disagree with you is the German timing chains ... they are pre tensioned so there is no notice of them about to let go ... where as the original chain ... when start to where about 30k there is a slight rattle ... so she’s warning you she’s not well....best wishes and keep Staaaaaaaging 😜

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks! Love your observations

[@julesviolin]

Quality vid Sir ✅ My Father bought a brand new Triumph 1300 FWD from the Earl's Court motor show in 1967 , an E reg in Wedgewood blue. Quite luxurious and easy to service. Clutch could be changed without removing the gearbox........very ingenious. Then we had 2 Dolomite Sprints from nearly new. One in British Racing Green the other in Russet Brown. One had a factory Limited slip differential the other didn't. The difference in handling was unbelievable. Gone was the tailslide happy cornering with the LSD. It was like it was on rails! Anything rear wheel drive over 100bhp needs LSD in my opinion 😎 BTW just to re iterate again ........the 2 litre slant 4 engine was the 1st ever 16 valve using a single over head cam! Then we had an early Mk2 Stag for 15 years, never let us down. Then a string of Rover 800's and now a fleet of Rover 75 ❤

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks very much! Easy video to do because I love that car! My dad had a Stag when I was 12, so they’ve been a big part of my life.

[@shankarbalan3813]

Such a beautiful car.

[@sportscarstory]

Thankyou!

[@markwhitehead4645]

Must admit I love blue cars . My old girl ... OLD BLUE ... is a November 73 Mk 2 . She was Triumph 19 white when new but now she’s sapphire blue .Only difference from standard are the grey Mk 1 badges .Sometimes I get knocked for having grey , but like the colour of your car , it seems to pull the whole appearance of the car “together”,plus as a Mk2 Old Blue has a grey pinstripe, a good “tip” from Trevor. Kept her ticking over during the winter only not going out when wet and the dreaded salt . Have a great summer cruising around, I’m sure i will !!! Trevor Kevin Dan and Matty at Faversham Classics ARE the boys to see , that’s where Old Blue was re-born. Best wishes

[@sportscarstory]

Faversham classics boys are great

[@simonwaller2501]

Always wanted a stag ever since I went in one at the tender age of 16. It was the looks and that sound.😊 On my second one now and its a keeper.

[@sportscarstory]

Yes they do stick in your brain! The next Stag video I’ll do is about how Stag’s got under my skin (my dad had 2!)

[@benverwer70]

Very nice video, always looking for good stag videos, I have fond memories of my stag that was rear ended at a traffic light in the south of France never did get another. On your comment of speed speed I think they are very good 40 to 80. Push it a little you will enjoy.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks very much! I’m glad you like the video! Subscribe-&I’ll try and go a bit faster in the next!

[@markwhitehead4645]

P.S just noticed the blue “smear” or “tinting” across the top of your widescreen.... nice touch ... 👍

[@sportscarstory]

You’re the first to notice! Stuart did that way back in ‘97! It’s not great if you’re tall though- you’d be looking through it!

[@twentyrothmans7308]

When we owned a Stag, I set up a hoist from the rafters in the garage with some old seat belts, so that I could winch the hardtop on and off. This car didn't have a softtop for the first 18 months - guaranteed to bring rain when driving out topless. It was lumped with a Leyland 4.4, which brought its own woes.

[@sportscarstory]

Yes. I’ve got a similar winch system for my hardtop. Too heavy on my own otherwise. Thanks for the comment!

[@bobspeller2225]

Very nice video, great roads, and as you say, you are a lucky man. The Stag sounds fantastic, I noticed the temperature gauge didn't seem to be working?? I have the same gauge on my Stag and you get a much better temperature reading. I have owned my Stag for 44 years now, nice. All the best Bob

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks Bob, well spotted! You’re the first person to notice that. It’s only recently started happening. I’m assuming the thermostat is stuck open but will investigate.

[@ARTD67]

Howdy P. As my fourth wife will attest, you are quite right; tastes do change. Time, I think, for the return of the original steering wheel.

[@sportscarstory]

I think so!

[@scottlochans4180]

Growing up, family car was a triumph. Aged 2 onwards, I was changing the gears for my mum. First shot driving? Industrial estate on a Sunday, late sixties early 70's Everything was closed, virtually a empty ind.est., had to stand on top toes to see over the dash, wheel was like a Ship's wheel. A near neighbor Managed a Triumph Dealership, saw brand new Dolomite Sprint, sure I saw a 3.0 Stag Convertible, talk about Lovely. Got a shot of my mum's Dolomite 1500 TC , KICKED IT in 2nd. gear, much to the Horror of my mum n dad, didn't get another shot for ages. Aged 16 was a 50 cc. Courier, boss asked if I could drive? Van job no driver, so me and another Courier did the job I drove. Don't know what courier said to the boss about my driving? But he'd double park his '82 brand new XR2, if my bike was there, give me the keys, some money for the meter, ask me to park it ,as close as possible. Shit talk about quick Acceleration. .My first car bought of a friend's sister's that owned a Car r repair garage. Fiat 2,0 TC. Supermiraferrori?. BUT DOLOMITE was ok, not very fast but ok.

[@sportscarstory]

Cool story. Cars were just so much more exciting! What do you drive now?

[@gordonbunyan]

You're right Peter: Best sounding V8! Its a great touring car. So versatile. Four seats, hard top on, soft top down, its a pleasure to drive. Its poor reputation doesn't come from its engineering or design but inferior manufacturing and quality control. I have a 76 Mk2 completely standard and it's been stuck in heavy traffic, in Melbourne, 35+ degree summer heat and the temp gauge hardly moved. It's capable of covering long distances in Australia comfortably - & reliably. Sadly, those early bad experiences fueled the journalists' pens and the Stag has never recovered.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks for that. I’m hearing the same story from so many Stag owners. Once they’re sorted, they’re sorted. You only have to watch the Last Grand tour on Amazon to see that a Stag is a reliable car.

[@evileyes4070]

Rob Davis guitarist from Mud 7os rock n Glam band wrote Can't Get You Out Of My Head. Love the Stag . Keep the steering wheel.

[@sportscarstory]

That’s interesting- thanks. Is that the same song?

[@evileyes4070]

@@sportscarstory Kylie Yeah . I drive a straight 6 25 TC stag power steering removed. Drives well good tone.😎😍

[@jimmorris4720]

Lovely car.Personally i love the Nardi wheel too.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks! A nardi’s lovely to hold.

[@davidstuart4915]

30 yrs and no breakdown driving and Spanish heat...wow! Yes Mk1 white stag in marina on brochure :)

[@sportscarstory]

Yes that brochure’s burnt on my brain!

[@davidstuart4915]

Got it somewhere, my 75 stag is totally original, garage stored and little use in rain...so hoping in good condition still Not driven for three decades mind.... have another classic to recommission first, but looking forward to woofling my way around country lanes again when I can get some money together Do u know any affordable home mechanics around Northants area? :)@@sportscarstory

[@sportscarstory]

No sorry, can’t help you. Faversham classics are best for Stag work, but you’d need to get your car to Kent.

[@davidstuart4915]

i shall have to work on my health and see if the arthritis etc will allow me to play - engine frozen at the moment, so going thru special oil bore soaks to free up again (was fine before standing for a decade or so since starting..)@@sportscarstory

[@ParmjitJohal-t4k]

Just bought one in Inca yellow , bit of a gear box selection issue tho 😅

[@sportscarstory]

That’s annoying. Is that a manual?

[@zeroque2936]

Actually, the Stag can be made to go quite fast, with the original engine in decent tune. Did this in NZ to a 73 version but retained all the features that made it a GT, I was pleased with the results.

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks that’s really interesting. I know that Hart racing used to race Stags in the 70’s and 80’s. But it’s a hazy memory.

[@chrisrutherford3862]

There's a picture of my Dad in the 70 in front of a Yellow Stag big smile on his face but the car was not his 20 year with a VW Corrado G60 its mine with a big smile

[@sportscarstory]

Cool! I love Corrados

[@webgateltduk]

Car nerd comment: I was suprised to see that your stag has a combined water temp / oil pressure gauge (like MGBs have). I only ever recall seing a temperature gauge in this position on other stags. Was yours a retro-fit? It seems like a good idea to me.

[@sportscarstory]

It’s a bit lost in time. I think Stuart installed that in 1992 ! But yes it’s a very good idea.

[@comeinhandynow]

Nice but a shame you ditched holleys, sounds like it just needed rejetting. My holley setup is great and much better breathing than std.

[@sportscarstory]

Hmm, maybe. I worked hard on it over the years - quite a few mechanics had a go. Maybe should have tried harder! The standard carbs are ok though. Thanks for watching!

[@joemorgan636]

Me and all the boys back in late 70s 80s had Stags £1500 -2 or £3000 nice ones we was in North London Tottenham Edmonton Dalston Stoke Newington loads Stsgs every where and dolly Sprints. But everyone wanted MK3 R. S T reg No we hated the Mk1 they were for nothing cheap in the hundreds 😂😂

[@sportscarstory]

I remember mk1’s being really cheap too! They were the ones with the overheating problems I suppose.

[@joemorgan636]

@@sportscarstory Yes you are Correct my Friend no one wanted them they were crap, boys who could not afford the late Mark 3. R-- S--T which were different dough, back then looked the bollocks. Funny enough, I see one sitting on someone’s drive yesterday chocolate brown one I think it was an S Reg Been sitting there for ages in Southgate. I thought about that this morning I will go and knock on the door Sometime today

[@joemorgan636]

@@sportscarstory I remember them putting those Rover V8 engine of them absolutely destroyed the car the stag noise was completely gone. It was 2 Dolomite 1850 engines stuck together I remember taking them out and putting them in when I was young, I thought nothing of it then. Dolly Sprint engines were bit more technical 1st 16v engine they were rapid standard it’s rivals were 2002tii Escort RS2000, Mexico, Alpha GT Juniors Lancia etc

[@joemorgan636]

@@sportscarstory The quickest dolomite sprint I ever saw, was a Greek guy used to race them I mean they were rapid had a mild road speed cam single 45 Webber lightened and balanced crankshaft updated pistons high-pressure pump ( Racing Clutch) Nothing nothing could touch this sprint it would burn off any other dolomite sprint leave the dust guys name was Lance Wheeler🤣🤣 RIP Lance

[@sportscarstory]

Stags are more expensive now, but next to e types , healers etc they are still cheap.

[@AndyK.1]

I’m sure I watched this yesterday. What’s in the edit ?

[@sportscarstory]

Sorry, the sound wasn’t right. It was set on mono so wasn’t great on headphones. Sorted now.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

Even though the rover V8 cops a lot of flack, it is without a doubt the best sounding V8 for me...especially in the Stags.

[@sportscarstory]

Ha! Love the Rover v8 too. A lot more grunt! I’d like to buy a suffix A Range Rover or an SD1.

[@RobertSmith-di5ll]

I'm a fan

[@sportscarstory]

Thanks

[@petergardner2334]

IT WOULD NICE TO SEE STAG STEERING WHEEL PUT BACK

[@sportscarstory]

Yes. Ive got it ready to go on.

[@evo5dave]

That car is the same age as me and is definitely in better condition.

[@sportscarstory]

Haha! I think it’s better than me too! Thanks for watching!

[@RobertSmith-di5ll]

guess the wind direction in the IoW

[@sportscarstory]

Mostly South West!

[@markwhitehead4645]

Forgot to add ☺️ From original white car black interior auto to Manual with O/D Shadow blue interior and black hood ... she’s a good looking old girl 😜

[@sportscarstory]

Great story Mark. Stags are the best. Keep an eye out (subscribe to Sports car story) because I’m going to do many more videos of the Stag in the future. Kind regards, Peter

[@CliffTyrer]

There was nothing wrong with the stag engine.it was owners not paying attention to servicing and putting in the correct coolant water and aluminium plus iron don't mix?

[@sportscarstory]

I agree. Early stags also had a water pump mounted too low too. Thanks for watching!

[@davidstuart4915]

thats better :) thanks

[@sportscarstory]

Thankyou for drawing our attention to the sound problem.

[@giuliopedrali4794]

The stag should be perfect with a Rover V8

[@sportscarstory]

Perhaps. It’s a great engine.

[@giuliopedrali4794]

@@sportscarstory The Stag with the 3500 Rover V8 from the beginning should be a great cars and great success

[@sportscarstory]

I agree it would definitely have made commercial sense.

[@giuliopedrali4794]

@@sportscarstory Only for the durability of the Rover V8, then also the Triumph V8 or 1500 + 1500 cm2 has a beautiful sound, and the Rover V8 was in BL production yet, with zero project or development budgets

[@paulqueripel3493]

I'd regard a Stag as more of a GT than a sports car.

[@sportscarstory]

Yes it’s leaning that way - but it is a convertible which kind of loosely qualifies it.

[@comeinhandynow]

A better sounding stag perhaps?… kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKbdZYiLa9WggdUsi=qKOhtrvOrx_OOpAo

[@sportscarstory]

That’s a beast! Slightly less mellow! What a car!

[@RobertSmith-di5ll]

put the original steering wheel back.

[@sportscarstory]

I’ll get round to it soon!

[@tonyquance3737]

Nice car, but what's with all the gear changing? Supposed to be a V8 engine in there. Doesn't say much for its torque. (Smart arse, long retired from the trade)

[@sportscarstory]

Yes probably changed gear more than I needed to! But it is a small V8!

[@DerrickOil]

Woofuling around?

[@sportscarstory]

Yes. Lovely woofle!

[@philtucker1224]

I think they only produced V8s….

[@sportscarstory]

Yes they did. But some people put Triumph straight 6 engines in when their Stag V8 failed.

[@philtucker1224]

@@sportscarstory Ah yes, that’s sounds like a good ( and probably less expensive) solution under the circumstances..👍

[@njp100]

And Rover V8s - and, for some reason, Ford Capri 6 3 litres!!

[@njp100]

Great video, by the way - lots of passenger memories.

[@glengosling5636]

You were very lucky, I wasn’t.

[@sportscarstory]

Sorry to hear that. I will say that my dad’s secondhand stag in 1976 had a head gasket problem. It was definitely an issue then.

[@thomascatford2627]

A reliable stag 😂 😂

[@sportscarstory]

Yes!

[@MandelloUK]

A total piece of shite! Unreliable, rust prone, rushed into production...it was so horrendous it had to be withdrawn from the US market after 3 years....give me an SL anyday!

[@sportscarstory]

Point taken. Saying that, the rustiest car I ever saw was a ‘73 SL. They rust from the inside too! I agree the SL was far more reliable, but Stags can be made reliable now, so I agree, when they were new they were a bad idea. But now I’d say, they’re worth a look.

[@darticulate8751]

Its Not a Sports car ! Its actually a GT car my dear fellow ! It does look very nice mind you ! yes your right wire wheels were on most American export cars , some with AC too !

[@sportscarstory]

An arguable point I grant you. But for the sake of my “sports car story” name, I’m counting any convertible as a sports car. But yes I agree, a good GT! Thanks for the compliment re the wire wheels. They are a bit marmite but I like them.