stuart Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 (edited) Dutch Autoklassic magazine has an article on Italia #27 that I restored a while ago https://amklassiek.nl/restauratie-ultrazeldzame-triumph-italia-kostte-een-fortuin-maar-dat-was-het-waard/2026/02/19/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQHGL9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe_at3X0SrPJTAL7mSEEcFNu-IOcWqZiTU07nc60oO0VNKu2TLOeZfUL0iz8o_aem_w7e9RQor8Lu_MTBYwg8WKw translated here Every classic lover with a bit of common sense knows: you don't restore for the trade, but for yourself. For the kick, for saving something that actually already seemed lost. Driven by pure admiration, Gert-Paul van 't Hoff, together with his comrade Willem-Jan de Geus, had a Triumph Italia in England transformed from a hopeless project into a competition-worthy beauty. It cost a fortune, but as Van 't Hoff soberly says: "You still can't buy a Maserati Sebring for that money." Text & photography: Aart van der Haagen The Triumph Italia 2000 is not an everyday apparition. Between 1959 and 1962, body builder Vignale in Turin built a total of 329 units, based on the Triumph TR3. The design came from Giovanni Michelotti. The technique remained British, the bodywork was completely Italian handcraft. That makes the Triumph Italia extremely rare today. Chassis number 27 rolled up on American roads in the early 1960s. In 1966, the car was stopped with 28,000 miles on the odometer. This was followed by a hibernation of almost fifty years, until Van 't Hoff and De Geus bought it in 2015. The consequences were guessed. "There was barely a bottom left underneath and in one of the doors was a half-metre bee nest," says Van 't Hoff. Triumph Italia restoration in England The Triumph Italia remained in England for the restoration and ended up with Watermill Carriage, Stuart Edwards' company. A specialist who knows exactly where the differences are between a standard TR3 and an Italia. “He knew which specific details are correct and where you can find parts that were originally also applied to other Italian cars from that time.” For example, bumpers of a Lancia Appia had to be tracked down and an ashtray was mounted that was also used in a Ferrari at the time; price tag almost a thousand euros. A lot of time went into the detailing of the Triumph Italia. Aluminum trim strips for the door panels were copied, missing parts were reproduced and everything had to fit as Vignale once intended. Triumph Italia bodywork: on the verge of collapse The Triumph Italia has a steel body on the separate TR3 chassis. That chassis turned out to be solid, but the carriage was dramatically bad. "Stuart had to strengthen the front part first before he could lift the body off the chassis, otherwise it would have literally sunken." Bottom sections were completely replaced, as were parts of the sills and the connection to the rear part around the fuel tank. The doors were given new skin plates, the frames of the hood and trunk lid were repaired and inserts were placed on the underside of the fenders. Many decorative parts went to the chrome maker. For the spoked wheels, new ones were chosen, identical to those of the Triumph TR3, after all, technically the basis of the Triumph Italia. “Still, we've kept as much original material as possible.” TR3 heart with Italian flair The interior of the Triumph Italia was completely decommished. The upholstery was redone in skai, in accordance with factory specification, with replacement of the distered horsehair and the spring packages, so that the chairs are tight again in modelling. Technically, the work was relatively bad. The 1991 cc four-cylinder from the Triumph TR3A was honed and fitted with oversized pistons with new sps. The bearings were still within tolerance. The SU carburetters were overhauled, as were shock absorbers, brakes and instruments. The transmission required little more than new cross-couplings, a clutch plate and pressure group. The Laycock the Normanville overdrive was still functioning. Furthermore, the Triumph Italia received a new wiring harness, exhaust and ignition components. The restoration of this Triumph Italia took almost four years and cost well over a hundred thousand euros. That's serious money for a car that is technically related to a TR3. But look at Michelotti's lines, Vignale's craftsmanship and the print rand of only 329 pieces. Van 't Hoff smiles: "It's like a model." The complete restoration report can be found in the March issue of Auto Motor Klassiek. That is now in the kiosk. Edited February 21 by stuart Quote
John Morrison Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 Yes stuart, and credit where credit is due. John. Quote
Rod1883 Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 That's a great article. I wonder if TRAction might want to/be allowed to reproduce? Quote
iain Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Nice to see you getting credit for an excellent piece of work Stuart Quote
Chilliman Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 20 minutes ago, iain said: Nice to see you getting credit for an excellent piece of work Stuart Definitely - that's a good read, well done. Quote
NigelC Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 nice article Stuart, could you post some photos of the car? Quote
Hamish Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Well done Stuart. A nice acknowledgement of your skill. we already know of your generosity of time and advice on here but that too is worthy of a compliment. thanks. Quote
Dave I O W Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Yes well done Stuart you deserve the credit for all your talent and fine restoration work and knowledge. Cheers Dave. Quote
cvtrian Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Well done Stuart, and thanks for the unstinting help provided for everyone Ian Quote
Waldi Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Simply beautiful Stuart. An Italia brings thoughts to me like “if I had then and then…” (keep on dreaming) Waldi Quote
stuart Posted February 22 Author Report Posted February 22 (edited) Here’s some pictures for those of you that asked Stuart IMG_1589.mov Edited February 22 by stuart Quote
harrytr5 Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 Hi Stuart, Can not down load or open just love your work. Regards Harry Quote
stuart Posted February 22 Author Report Posted February 22 Just now, harrytr5 said: Hi Stuart, Can not down load or open just love your work. Regards Harry Sorry that clip is way too long, it’s up on my Twitter feed just look up @albertspanner Stuart Quote
Bfg Posted February 23 Report Posted February 23 Very nice work Stuart, and of course a brilliant coupe redesign by Giovanni Michelotti and Vignale. Great that you were credited for such an extensive task, wonderfully executed. Pete Quote
had17462 Posted February 24 Report Posted February 24 Nice one Stu superb skills ,very hard to find now days ,never drove one but great looking car Nick Quote
TR graham2 Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Yes well done stuart and I saw it before it arrived with you Graham Quote
stuart Posted February 26 Author Report Posted February 26 15 hours ago, TR graham2 said: Yes well done stuart and I saw it before it arrived with you Graham It was a bit rough! Stuart. Quote
BRENDA1 Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Fantastic work as usual, we popped into the garage a couple of times while the work was being done, just after it had its primer on, then again when it was just about finished, it looked amazing. Mike Red Rose Group. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.