A Stroke of Luck

I have been thinking about a new project for some time now. I have been driving the Seven for over three years since finishing the build. Whilst driving a car like that is hugely exhilarating, and the other owners and club members are a great bunch to spend time with, I miss the building and engineering aspect, and the ability to get lost in my garage on a damp Sunday afternoon.

In the back of my mind I had a restoration project in mind. An old Triumph, perhaps a Vitesse or GT6. Definitely something with more than 4 cylinders and preferably something with an open top. With nothing more than that as a background thought, I decided to do a little research at the International MG & Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh on 19th February 2017. I have normally only been to Stoneleigh for Kit Car events – classics certainly pull in more people. The place was packed.

Whilst wondering around the stands looking for Vitesse / GT6 interest, I came across a few Stags.  That V8 burble was intoxicating. So I visited the Triumph Stag Owners Club (SOC) as I wanted some advice about the possibility of buying a Stag: pricing and what to look for / avoid. There I met Andrew Bradbury who is a Stag Owners Club member who was manning the SOC stand with some other Stag enthusiasts. A pure coincidence he had been approached recently to sell a Stag, by the family of a late Stag owner and because of his links with SOC. As these things often go, all of the pieces started to fall into place for me: A Stag with some documented history; sold via the SOC; and at a price I could consider.

A few weeks after, when diaries aligned, I drove up the Chesterfield to take a look. No surprises. Just as Andrew had explained and the photos illustrated. Not a concours model by any means but a honest 43 year car, where time had taken it’s course. The previous owner had obviously cared for the car and spent a great deal of money to get the Stag back on the road, but as I’m coming to find, the effort required to keep it there is huge and relentless.


I agreed the full asking price with the owner. 


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