Just my $0.02's worth. Over the last few months there have been
claims/statements that radios are 'original' Triumph, as fitted (or probably
fitted) at the factory. It's worth mentioning that probably the only factory
fit radios up to 1972 (the limit of my knowledge) - though not fitted on the
assembly track would have been installed only on personal export cars. These
were cars sold to overseas visitors while in the UK or to owners who came
here to collect them having ordered and paid for them at home, use them on
vacation and then ship home. Effectively no cars were shipped to any export
market with radios in them as part of the factory spec. The reasons were
essentially twofold. Theft in shipment virtually guaranteed the radios would
never reach their destination and also because AM/FM or FM only radios were
far more commonplace in North America than in the UK at the time. Right up
to 1972, Triumph supplied an AM only radio - and with one loudspeaker. What
might appear to be genuine factory radios were more likely to be Triumph
badged units supplied by Standard Triumph Inc in New Jersey as a US sourced
item and supplied as an accessory through the dealer network. So how can you
tell if you've got a genuine UK fit audio system? Take it out, have a
thorough look at the case and if you see SMITH'S RADIOMOBILE stamped on it
or glued by a label then you'll know you've got the real thing.
John Mac
Beware of Triumph "historians!"
Some of us never get it 100% right, 100% of the time.
No matter WHAT our name is
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