Triumph · 1962–1971

Triumph Vitesse

The Triumph Vitesse is a compact six-cylinder car built by Standard-Triumph from 1962 to 1971. The car was based on the Giovanni Michelotti designed Herald and was available in saloon and convertible variants. After the initial launch in 1962, the 2.0-litre was launched in 1966 and was improved in 1968 and was sold as the Mk2. The Vitesse name was first used by Austin in the 1914 to 1916 Austin 20 hp and 30 hp Vitesse models. This was followed in 1922 by G. N.(Godfrey & Nash) on their GN Vitesse Cycle-car, and then by Triumph on a car made from 1935–1938. After the last Triumph Vitesse was made in 1971, the Vitesse name remained unused until 1982 when Rover began to use the name on their more sporting models including the SD1, the 216, and finally on the Rover 800 until 1998.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Triumph Mayflower · Successor: Triumph Dolomite

All Triumph Vitesse data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Vitesse 6

The Triumph Vitesse was introduced on May 25, 1962, and reused a name previously used by the pre-Second World War Triumph Motor Company from 1936–38. The engine was an inline 6-cylinder performance version of the Triumph Herald small saloon. The Herald had been introduced in 1959 and was a 2-door car styled by the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. Within two years, Triumph began to give thought to a sports saloon based on the Herald and using their 6-cylinder engine. Michelotti was again approached for styling, and he came up with a car that used almost all body panels from the Herald, combined with a new front end with a slanted 4-headlamp design. Standard-Triumph fitted a 1596 cc version of their traditional straight-6 derived from the engine used in the Standard Vanguard Six, but with a smaller bore diameter of 66.75 mm (2.628 in), compared with the 74.7 mm (2.94 in) bore on the Vanguard, equipped with twin Solex B32PIH semi-downdraught carburetors. These were soon replaced by B321H carburetors due to issues with accelerator pumps. A "seam" on the cylinder block between the third & fourth cylinders reveals the design beginnings of the 803cc Standard SC engine block, first used in the Standard Eight of 1953. The gearbox was strengthened and upgraded to closer (more sporting) gear ratios, and also offered with optional Laycock De Normanville 'D-type' overdrive with a 20% higher ratio for the top gear (the equivalent change from 3rd to 4th in a standard transmission), giving for more relaxed and economical cruising. Models fitted with overdrive had a chrome badge with "Overdrive" in italic text on the left side of the boot opposite the Vitesse 6 chrome script badge on the right. Synchromesh was present on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears. The rear axle was changed to a slight

Sports 6

The Vitesse 6 convertible was exported to the US as the left-hand drive Triumph Sports 6 from 1962 until 1964. Original US price (POE East Coast) was $2,499, and it was offered in White, Signal Red or Black. The Vitesse Saloon was never officially imported to the US. Due to its high retail price and competition from cars such as Ford's new Mustang, only 679 were sold before it was withdrawn from the market.

Vitesse 2-Litre

In September 1966, Triumph upgraded the engine to 1998cc, in line with the new Triumph GT6 coupé, and relaunched the Vitesse as the Vitesse 2-Litre. Power was increased to 95 bhp (71 kW), endowing the new car with a claimed 0–60 mph time of just under 12 seconds, and lifting top speed to 104 mph (167 km/h). (The 2-Litre was advertised by Triumph as "The Two Seater Beater"). Other detail modifications for the 2-litre included a stronger clutch, all synchromesh gearbox, larger front brakes, and a stronger differential with a slightly higher 3.89:1 ratio. Wider & stronger 4.5-inch wheel rims were fitted, but radial-ply tyres were still optional at extra cost. There was a satin silver anodized aluminium-alloy cowling above the new reversing light, and badges on the side of the bonnet and in the centre of the grille read 2 litre. The Vitesse boot badge was retained as italic script but lost the 6 of the earlier model - replacing that with the rectangular 2 litre badge and with a chrome strip underlining the Vitesse badge. Cars with overdrive had a separate badge on the cowling above the number plate/reversing light. Inside the car, the seats were improved, with softer (more plush) covering and a better back-rest shape which slightly improved rear-seat knee-room. A new leather-covered three-spoke steering wheel was also added. The Vitesse Mk I was sold until 1968.

Vitesse Mk II

The Vitesse Mark 2 was launched in October 1968 as the final update to the Vitesse range. For the Mark 2, Triumph focused on improvements to the rear suspension by fitting new lower wishbones and Rotoflex half-shaft couplings. This system, also shared with the new GT6 MKII (GT6+ in the US market), and the first GT6 MkIIIs, improved higher speed handing and roadholding. The solid swing axles of the Herald and earlier Vitesses had camber changes of some 15 degrees from the limits of travel. By adding the lower wishbone and the divided drive shaft whilst retaining the transverse leaf spring as the top link, this camber change was reduced to about 5 degrees. There were other improvements: the engine was tweaked once more to provide 104 bhp (78 kW), cutting the 0–60 mph time to just over 11 seconds and providing a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). The main changes were to the valve timing, to give earlier opening and later closing of the inlet valves compared with the earlier 2-litre engine. (38/78 btdc/atdc for the Mk2 vs 30/60 for the 2 litre). Design changes to the cylinder head allowed for increased inlet valve diameters and better porting. Another major difference in the cylinder head removed the "step" in earlier 1600 and 2 litre incarnations. This meant that in the earlier cars the head studs on the right (manifold) side were short and ended under the manifolds, necessitating unbolting the (hot) manifolds and dropping them back to retorque the studs after a head gasket replacement. The MKII head was full width so all the studs were accessible. The inlet manifolds of the MkII were shorter than the 2 litre to keep inlet tract length the same. The Stromberg carburetors were also changed from 150 CD to 150 CDS, the S referring to the use of a spring between the dashpo

Production figures

Vitesse 6 (1600): May 1962 – September 1966; 31,261 saloon: 22,814 convertible: 8,447, includes 679 Sports 6 (USA) Vitesse 2-Litre: September 1966 – September 1968; 10,830 saloon: 7,328 convertible: 3,502 Vitesse Mk II: July 1968 – July 1971; 9,121 saloon: 5,649 convertible: 3,472

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

sp: uk
name: Triumph Vitesse
Manufacturer: Standard-Triumph (1962–1968), British Leyland (1968–1971)
Production: 1962–1971, 51,212 built
Assembly: United Kingdom: Canley, Coventry
Successor: Triumph Dolomite
Body style: Two-door saloon, Two-door convertible, Three-door estate (by special order)
Layout: FR layout
Engine: 1596 cc Triumph I6, 1998 cc Triumph I6
Transmission: Four-speed manual with, Optional overdrive
Wheelbase: 91.5 in
Length: 153 in
Width: 60 in
Height: 52.5 in
Kerb weight: 2072 lb
Related: Triumph Herald, Triumph GT6
Designer: Giovanni Michelotti

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q547370CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_VitesseCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1325925326 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1970.triumph.vitesse.convertible.jpgPublic domain · Photo: User Jbattersby on en.wikipedia · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.