Triumph’s 2000 / 2500 formed the basis of the Stag and this saloon shared the same qualities of that coupe but without the snags. Or prices!

Produced to compete head on with Rover’s P6 2000, these saloons and estates were ultra-modern compared with the outdated Standard Vanguard they replaced in 1963.

The only part carried over was the smooth and torquey straight-six, but with a freer-flowing cylinder head and improved carburation. The body was penned by Triumph favourite Michelotti (who did the Herald) and there was independent suspension all round care of MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-trailing link set-up at the rear, the latter which eventually found its way onto TR sportsters.

Offering space, comfort and excellent build quality, these cars were superb mile munchers at a relatively affordable price. The best thing though is that this hasn’t changed; the cars are as comfortable as they ever were and even more affordable. Prices have risen in recent years, but you can still pick up a great example for under NZD25K – for something that in many ways can genuinely rival a modern, that’s seriously good value.

Having owned and enjoyed many of these big Triumphs over the years, we have developed a genuine appreciation for just how good they really are.

They are wonderfully comfortable, remarkably capable and, in our experience, utterly reliable when properly maintained. With their smooth six-cylinder engines, excellent road manners, spacious interiors and unmistakable British character, these Triumphs offer a driving experience that is difficult to replicate in more modern machinery. They are also relatively straightforward to maintain, making them an appealing choice for enthusiasts who enjoy using their classics rather than simply admiring them.

Perhaps the greatest attraction of the Triumph 2500S is its exceptional smoothness. The long-stroke 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine delivers effortless pulling power, accompanied by a wonderfully distinctive exhaust note. Coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, the result is a relaxed and refined touring car that is equally enjoyable around town or cruising along the open road. There is ample performance when required, yet the car’s real strength lies in its ability to cover considerable distances in comfort and with very little fuss.

Some of the many highlights of this particular Triumph 2500S include:

• Straight, clean bodywork – presenting very well, complemented by attractive paintwork.
• Low ownership – with the previous owner having enjoyed the car for an impressive 17 years.
• Smooth 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine – delivering excellent torque, refinement and effortless performance.
• Four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive providing an engaging driving experience and relaxed cruising at highway speeds.
• Power steering – offering light, responsive steering with approximately three turns from lock to lock and a surprisingly tight turning circle.
• Fully independent suspension – coil-sprung front and rear, providing an excellent balance of ride comfort and handling.
• Improved 2500S handling – benefiting from the substantial front anti-roll bar that considerably improved cornering stability over earlier models.
• Excellent road manners – surprisingly agile and capable for a large British saloon of its era.
• Wonderful exhaust note – that unmistakable smooth six-cylinder soundtrack adds enormously to the driving experience.
• Beautiful timber interior detailing – featuring genuine wood veneer across the dashboard and door cappings, all presenting in very good order.
• Tidy, original upholstery – retaining the charm and character of a well-preserved British classic.
• Comfortable, generously padded seating – providing excellent support for both driver and passengers.
• Adjustable steering column – allowing the driver to select a comfortable driving position.
• Excellent ventilation – with adjustable fresh-air vents and generous glass areas providing a light, airy cabin.
• Spacious interior – large doors, excellent rear-seat legroom and comfortable accommodation for the whole family.
• Generous boot space – making this a genuinely practical classic for touring and everyday recreational use.
• Manual choke – retaining the traditional character and simplicity of the period.
• Distinctive Rostyle wheels – complementing the car’s handsome, understated styling.
• Practical and versatile – a comfortable long-distance cruiser with ample performance and useful towing capability when appropriately equipped.

On the road, the Triumph 2500S is a particularly rewarding motor car. The combination of its long wheelbase, well-balanced chassis and fully independent suspension provides a remarkably composed ride, while the improved front anti-roll bar gives the later 2500S a level of agility that can surprise those unfamiliar with these cars. The steering is responsive, the ride is beautifully controlled and the six-cylinder engine delivers its power with an effortless smoothness that encourages relaxed, enjoyable motoring.

Inside, the Triumph offers everything one associates with a traditional British executive saloon. The lovely wooden dashboard and door cappings provide a sense of warmth and quality, while the large, well-padded seats, excellent outward visibility and generous passenger accommodation make it a thoroughly pleasant place to spend time. Unlike many modern vehicles, the Triumph’s relatively slim pillars and generous glass areas provide outstanding all-round visibility, while its spacious cabin and substantial boot make it genuinely practical for longer journeys.

What we particularly appreciate about these Triumphs is their ability to combine so many desirable qualities in one package. They are handsome without being ostentatious, comfortable without being cumbersome, and sufficiently powerful to provide genuinely enjoyable motoring. They also possess a distinctive personality that is often missing from more modern machinery. This particular example, with its tidy presentation, low ownership and desirable manual overdrive specification, represents an especially appealing opportunity.

In our opinion, the Triumph 2500S remains one of the most underrated British classics of its generation. It offers an exceptional combination of character, comfort, practicality and driving pleasure, without the complexity or expense associated with many other classic executive saloons.

A really good, thoroughly enjoyable classic – and one we believe enthusiasts should seriously consider before the secret gets out!

The Triumph 2500S remains one of the most underrated and underappreciated British classics of the 1970s, offering an exceptional combination of traditional styling, six-cylinder refinement, comfort and genuine driving pleasure. While models such as the Triumph TR sports cars and Stag have long enjoyed considerable collector attention, the larger Triumph saloons have often remained somewhat overlooked, despite their impressive engineering and considerable merits. This is gradually changing as enthusiasts rediscover the appeal of these handsome executive saloons, particularly the later 2500S with its improved handling, desirable specifications and distinctive character. Their relative affordability compared with many other British classics makes them especially attractive to those seeking an enjoyable, practical and increasingly uncommon motor car.

From a collectibility perspective, the Triumph 2500S has several compelling qualities. As one of the final developments of Triumph’s much-respected six-cylinder saloon range, it represents the culmination of an important chapter in British motoring history. Good, original examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly those with sound bodywork, attractive interiors and documented long-term ownership. The desirable four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive adds further appeal, while the model’s mechanical simplicity, excellent parts availability and strong enthusiast following make ownership relatively straightforward. Although values have historically remained modest, the best examples are increasingly recognised for their quality and rarity, suggesting potential for greater collector appreciation over time.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the Triumph 2500S is that it remains a classic which can be thoroughly enjoyed rather than simply preserved. Its smooth six-cylinder engine, comfortable accommodation, excellent road manners and generous practicality make it equally suitable for club events, weekend outings or extended touring. Unlike many classic cars that require considerable compromise, the 2500S offers a surprisingly civilised driving experience while retaining all the charm, individuality and character that make older British motor cars so appealing. For the discerning enthusiast seeking something a little different from the more conventional classics, a well-preserved Triumph 2500S represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a distinctive, increasingly scarce and genuinely rewarding motor car.

In our view, these big Triumphs have been overlooked for far too long. They offer tremendous classic car enjoyment for the money, and the best examples deserve considerably more recognition than they currently receive.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.