The head gasket blew approx. 2 years ago.
The clutch has been replaced 3 times since new.
Rubber fuel lines have perished, causing engine bay fire.
There is a recurring fault with a lack of power and excessive pinking when the car is at operating temperature.
This car has been in the family since 1982 and has 5 successive learner drivers.
It is a very good car to learn to drive in, with a short gear throw, and precise manual steering.
The exhaust note sounds brilliant through narrow town streets.
It has stood up well to "boy racer" driving, with only a worn clutch and a blown head gasket to show for it.
The exterior paint is original, with only one touch up required on the bonnet, due to the aforementioned fire.
There is a low level of noise inside the car at any speed, and this, along with the very roomy interior, makes for a very comfortable car on long trips.
It has doubled as a flat-land farm car on occasion, a duty which although the manufacturer may never have intended the car to carry out, it has handled admirably.
I think the fuel line problems and the pinking are probably related. Do you also get "dieseling" when you switch off after a long run?
The pinking will be due to the low octane rating of modern fuel. The different chemical content (including a relatively high level of benzine) has been blamed for perishing of rubber pipes in VWs, and I wouldn't run any old car on it (even with an additive) without regularly checking the state of the fuels lines, especially where they meet the fuel pump and around other seals. Try using an octane booster to get the ron up to about 98 (I guess it could take even higher, which should help fuel consumption). Probably best to fit an under-bonnet fire extinguisher as well, just in case!
Cheers Mate, pity I didn't read it sooner, due to New Zealand drivers, our trusty Triumph is now significantly shorter than factory. A large urban 4x4 "didn't see it stop", subsequently shunting it into the rear of the truck in front. Which adds another point... Triumphs are very, very strong in crashes - but mind the big steering wheel.
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