In response to Bob Allen's request, here is what I wrote to Dave, who
also wrote me personally.
BTW, in the message to Bob, Dave observed the presence of a few TR3
parts on the estate wagon. That is true. The wagons, amongst other
items, used the same TRIUMPH badge on the rear cargo door as was used on
the rear apron of the TR3A. That cargo door's handle is suspiciously
similar to a TR3A door handle, and at least one of the "10" bumpers
seems in profile and size very much like the front bumper of the TR3A.
And some late 10 estate wagons even had the prized wide headlamp rims of
the late TR3A.
--Andy
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 09:52:10 +0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Mace <amace@unix2.nysed.gov>
To: Dave Boyt <dboyt@apexcorp.com>
Subject: Re: Triumph Estate Wagon
On Tue, 7 Jan 1997, Dave Boyt wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I am the proud owner of an oddball Triumph, and wonder if you might have
> any info on it (or know where I could find some). It is a 1959 Triumph
> Estate Wagon. A very boxy looking car with a 57 cu in engine. I've
> never seen another like it. Any ideas on history, source of parts,
> etc.?
Dave, first off, please tell me more about your car, particular
commission, body and engine numbers, colors inside and out, and whether
the front fenders have "hoods" over the headlights or if the headlights
are prominent on the front.
The Triumph 10 sedan and estate wagon were North American versions of
the Standard 10, Standard-Triumph's first new postwar small car
(actually began as the Standard 8, with an 803cc engine). The
Triumph-badged version was sold in the United States from approximately
1957-60. (If you haven't already, and you can access the WWW with
Netscape or the like, check out the following:
http://www.vtr.org/Triumph10/Triumph10.html. If you can't access this,
let me know and I'll send you a copy. This is something I put together
for the Vintage Triumph Register.)
Parts are not the most difficult thing to come by, depending on what you
need. Most electrical equipment is conventional Lucas, which is to say
identical or similar to components used on many other British cars. The
same goes for the hydraulic brake and clutch systems. Some (but by no
means all) mechanical parts are similar to later Triumph Herald parts.
For example, the same engine and almost the same transmission and
differential (not rear axle, though) were used in the first Heralds.
Body and trim parts might be nearly impossible to find new in the U.S.,
but some items might be available in England and/or through such groups
as the Standard Motor Club, which is linked to from VTR's site (http://
www.vtr.org/other-links.html).
You must know that you own a very rare, if not extremely valuable, car.
I personally know of only 3 or 4 others in the U.S., including my own.
It's a 1960, extremely rare in that it features slightly different front
end styling (those hooded headlights I mentioned before). My dad's very
first Triumph, new, was a 1959 10 sedan, and that's what started my
lifelong interest in Triumphs. Sedans are slightly more plentiful in the
U.S., but I'd be surprised if as many as 100 survive, along with maybe
10-20 estate wagons at most.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance on more specific
questions about your car. I do have workshop and spare parts manuals,
along with a fair amount of sales literature. Believe me, I share your
enthusiasm and pride about these cars!
--Andy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace, President and *
* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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