Prancing Deer: 1972 Triumph Stag Custom

The Triumph Stag was a 2+2 convertible sports tourer designed by Giovanni Michelotti (known for his work on the Triumph Spitfire, GT6, TR4, Ferrari 250/340/375, Maserati 3500/5000, and BMW 2002...you get the idea) and produced by Triumph. Today's Stag has been de-bumpered and the result is a car that looks more mid 60s Lotus or Ferrari than something from Coventry and with the addition of a Chevy V8 (big upgrade over the small 3 liter Triumph V8...maybe not in terms of cool, but certainly torque and power). Find this 1972 Triumph Stag Custom offered for $5100 in Tampa, FL via Facebash Marketrace. Tip from David S. 

Angry Bird Chuck: 1979 Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR7 isn't a car that'll make you fall in love at first sight.  In fact, you probably need to see on 15 times before you acquire the taste, but like a fine cauliflower purée ..the TR7 isn't for the new car collector or someone getting their feet wet in classic cars...but for the connoisseur of fine British 70s classics, the TR7 is a winner. This next example has two of my favorite elements in an older car -- a manual gearbox and original paint. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 offered for $6200 in Lakewood, CO via craigslist.

Miata Inside: 1976 Triumph Spitfire

The biggest problem with driving a 90s Miata is that everyone knows it is fun, reliable, and easy version of a classic British roadster. While an MX-5 might be a great car for a curvy road on a fresh spring day, it doesn't get much attention or street cred at your local classic car night.  So, how do you marry the piquant reliability of an MX-5 with the buttery visage of a classic British roadster...well..you need a Spitfire, a donor MX-5 and a torch. Find this 1976 Triumph Spitfire with MX-5 running gear offered for $7000 in Santa Teresa, NM via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Strangely Appealing or Strangely Appalling? 1979 Triumph TR7

The wedge shaped Triumph TR7 launched in 1974 by the infamous British Leyland Motor Corp.  The TR7 was billed as "The Shape of Things to Come" - which was apt as British Leyland's sales followed an sharp angle...directly into the ground.  The TR7 styling was penned by Harris Mann (known for his Austin Allegro and Princess work) and while it won't win any beauty contests, it certainly checks all the boxes if you want something that is strangely appealing if you ask me. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 offered for $6,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Hope Its Not A Scam: 1964 Triumph Spitfire

The Triumph Spitfire was a tiny, lightweight, two-seat sports car assembled in Coventry, UK from 1962-1980.  A competitor of the Austin-Healey Sprite & MG Midget, the Spitfire was only available with a small inline four cylinder engine and didn't get the bigger inline sixes available to the GT6 or TR6 -- but it is a sweet looking classic ride offered for the cost of a set of factory lug nuts for a similar vintage Porsche.  The price IS extremely low, so this is either (A) great deal, (B) gone, or (C) a scammer. Let's hope for A or B. Find this 1964 Triumph Spitfire offered for $2000 in Deerfield Township, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Fintastic Vitesse: 1964 Triumph Sport 6

Another day, another oddball car that you've probably never seen before and might not have known of its existence. At least, that's what I thought when I stumbled onto this next car.  It is a Triumph Sport 6, which was a convertible version of the Triumph Vitesse 6...and appears to be a combination of Triumph Herald mechanical bits with Giovanni Michelotti styling...not bad at all.  Find this 1964 Triumph Sport 6 here on eBay bidding for $510 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Lompoc, CA.

Actually Custom: 1958 Triumph TR-10 Electric Conversion

I think, as car "journalists" we tend to think we've seen it all.  Or at least, I do.  And whenever I become jaded with all of the mundane junk (that passes for custom) for sale on craigslist (Chevy V8 powered RX-7s, dime-a-dozen, Bio-diesel Mercs been-there-done-that, etc) I go off in search for the oddballs, the unique stuff that only one guy ever thought "hey, this is a good idea". Like an electric Triumph Standard 10 here on eBay bidding for $704 with 5 days to go, located in Simi Valley, CA.

Buick V6 Powered: 1981 Triumph TR7(?)

If you want to build a custom car that'll be faster than a stock version, you could probably spend your hard cash on various performance parts and your spare time on cobbling up your custom machine...or you could buy something that another person has created....you just need to not mind the creator's vision and execution. Could you drive this next thing? Find this 1981 Triumph TR7(?) offered for $15,000 in Roseville, CA via craigslist.

Scuzzy Bugeye: 1960 Triumph Sprite

The Austin Healey Bugeye (or Frogeye if you are British) Sprite is a car that can always put a smile on your face.  Its own bug eating grill is permanently frozen with a look of glee and optimism -- you just can't hate the little guy, even if it is a disaster on a trailer. Find this 1960 Triumph Sprite offered for $1500 CAD ($1119 USD) in Vancouver, BC via craigslist.  Tip from Erik202.

Spitfire Kit: 1960ish Lotus Seven Replica

Last I checked most of the Midwest was under about 30 feet of snow, so I'm not sure when these pictures were taken, but it looks like convertible season to me! Find this 1960ish Lotus Seven kit offered for $6750 in Hubbard, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

4 Cylinders Good, 8 Cylinders Better: 1969 Triumph Spitfire V8

The Triumph Spitfire was a diminutive, featherweight, two-seat sports car assembled in Coventry, UK from 1962-1980.  A competitor of the Austin-Healey Sprite & MG Midget, the Spitfire was only available with a small inline four cylinder engine and didn't get the bigger inline sixes available to the GT6 or TR6. Don't worry, lots of folks over the years figured out how to shove the extra two cylinders into the Spitfire body, but today this next car has an extra 4 cylinders shoved under the hood. Find this 1969 Triumph Spitfire V8 offered for $10,000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

A What...With What? 1987 Triumph TR7 Buick V6

I have to admit that this next car has me a bit stumped...and I don't say that lightly because y'all know I love some random piles of parts that would otherwise seem to have no purpose.  But this thing.  Wow.  It was once a zippy little Triumph TR7 convertible with 4-cylinder power and an eye for the canyons, but it is now a slushbox equipped drag machine that is powered by a carb fed Buick V6.  There must be some kind of bracket racing out in the sticks that this thing is a hot dog for its class...but I just couldn't imagine taking it out for a Friday night cruise with the wife or trying to convince the judges at the 24 Hours of LeMons that this is a Class C car.  Find this 1987 Triumph TR7 Buick V6 offered for $4000 in Cincinnati, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Better Than Church On Sunday: 1978 Triumph Spitfire

Is it more true that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow?  With about 53 horsepower on tap, the featherweight Triumph Spitfire 16 second 0-60 time falls clearly in the deep end of the slow car category.  The malaise era was equally cruel to British car engine power outputs as it was to the USA V8's.  Today's seller quotes The Guardian (UK) writer Jasper Gerard to do his selling for him, but whether any NYC craigslist shoppers actually care or not remains to be seen.  Find this BRG 1978 Triumph Spitfire for sale in Weston, CT for $4,500 via craigslist.

Chevy V8 Engine: 1974 Triumph Spitfire

This next car comes from tipper Rock On who writes: This has to have one hell of a power to weight ratio!!!  Yeah, it also comes with a giant hole in the hood, which is good or bad depending on your particular feeling about hood "speed" holes.  Find this 1974 Triumph Spitfire offered for $11,900 in La Jolla, CA via craigslist.

Needs More Engine: 1971 Triumph Stag

This next car comes as a tip from Zach Z, who asks "So what would you swap into this shell and why?".  The actual car doesn't look that bad, but the asking price is optimistic for something without an engine...but who am I to predict the future market value of a Hayabusa powered Triumph Stag?!? Find this 1971 Triumph Stag without engine offered for $4800 in Las Cruces, NM via craigslist.

Bleu Wedge Salad: 1979 Triumph TR7

When it comes to cheap British roadsters, the newer the car, the more you get for your money. Classic MGs and TRs up to the early '70s can command big bucks, but for the enthusiast on a budget a late '70s or '80s MGB, TR7, or TR8 will be in better condition than the same price point for an earlier car. The 7 is probably going to be the cheapest of those three, for good reasons. Find this 1979 Triumph TR7 for sale in North Fort Myers, FL for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Toyota 4AGE Power: 1979 Triumph Spitfire

The Triumph Spitfire is a very small British roadster named after an iconic WWII fighter, the highest production British airplane of all time.  The Spitfire vehicle didn't quite achieve the same success as its namesake fighter plane, but it does have a decent cult following and gets lively if you up the horsepower from the spinning parts.  Find this 1979 Triumph Spitfire with Toyota 4AGE TwinCam Power offered for $10,000 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Original Mobster: 1967 Triumph 2000 Mk1

The Triumph 2000/2500/2.5PI was a mid-sized family saloon car built in the UK from 1963 through 1977. It featured stylish sheet metal penned by Giovanni Michelotti (BMW New Class, DAF/Volvo trucks, Triumph Spitfire, and various Ferrari/Maserati things) and guts assembled by the Triumph Motor Company. Find this 1967 Triumph 2000 Mk1 offered for $15,000 on the SF Bay Area craigslist but located near Portland, OR.  Tip from FuelTruck.