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Italia

To: farnsworthr@nucleus.com, eroticity@webtv.net
Subject: Italia
From: TLeavitt1@aol.com
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 15:02:52 EST
Rod, David, and others interested-

Thank you to those who responded to my request for Triumph Italia info.  
Adrian, Jamie, and Dave keep the Marque alive and thriving.  Their work and 
enthusiasm is to be admired.  For those who wish to know just a bit more...

...according to documentation recordered by William Krause, the Italia 2000GT 
first appeared in 1958.  Designed by Michelotti, you can see early design 
elements to later appear in his TR4.  It had an aluminum body by Italian 
coach builder Vignale fitted to a modified TR3 frame and running gear.

Ruffino S.p.A., the Italian Triumph importer put the car into production.  
Slightly restyled with a steel body and a TR3A engine and chasis, it debut at 
the Turin Auto Show in 1959.   The car was to be marketed throught Triumph 
dealers with the clause stating that the buyer understood no spare body 
panels would be availble.

As the car went into production in late 1959, Triumph got nervous that it 
would compete with its forthcoming TR4.  Only about 300 were eventually built.

Bill Piggott's "Original Triumph TR2/3/3A has some neat photos and a broader 
history.

Tom
 


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