Restorations / 1973 Triumph stag restoration

My initial feelings after seeing this car for the first time in February 2007 were shock turning to horror then disbelief
It had driven 9 miles to its current resting place 18 years before.
As you can imagine after those years lain out doors partially dismantled in Scotland this stags bodywork and paintwork were decidedly second hand.
From a distance it looked an nice classic car just a bit faded a bit rusty with a few bits missing.As we moved closer a frightening truth was revealed .
On axle stands, stripped of windows lamps and trim ,the convertible hood almost bleached white ,the interior missing .Where there should have been seats lay boxes containing the removed components, the tarmac plainly visible through the floor on which they sat ,rain and wind moving unchallenged throughout the shell.

Floors, sills ,inner sills,valances ,rear wings all rotten ,a quick poke around around underneath revealed more than the usual crispy bits.After several minutes walking round the car biting my lip asking myself how I had become involved I returned to the waiting owner and sons to put an end to this madness.
But somehow they got me to admit it could be restored ,they made me admit it could be done ,the bastards.

Maybe it was the attachment the family shared for the car or the thought of that V8 engine growl , perhaps a lapse of reason ,
I said we would do it .
The car was taken to our car body repair workshop at loanhead for a closer inspection.
The customer was phoned and I explained how bad it was by this time we had found filler covering holes in the scuttle, screen pillars inside and out,front panel,lamp panel and the true scale of the task became frighteningly real.
After hearing this news and a shot in the dark estimate of the cost I advised him to take some time and be sure they really did want to proceed ,the cars fate was in the balance, I wonder if it sensed anything out in the dark on its axle stands.
The following day the phone rang,we have waited 18 years ,start as soon as you can.
The main bodywork repairs included new floors ,valances ,lamp panels. The rear wings had new lower rear sections and new gutter channels welded in.
The chassis at the rear suspension mounting points were re-created also some tricky repairs to the windsreen pillars which were corroded through on all three sides. The sills were replaced and both inner sills were repaired along with a host of other corroded areas

Although replacement panels are available we restored and re-used both doors, both front wings and back wings and the bonnet and boot lid to keep the car as original as possible .
A lot of care had to be taken to insure the correct alignment of the doors while this work was carried out.

Preparing the whole car body inside and out for its cellulose paintwork after all this was quite a task and took nearly as long as the structural repairs but finally it was rolled into the booth where it was primed and painted with cellulose Tahiti blue. While going to press it is receiving final filling and perfecting before yet another topcoat , 16 litres of paint in total being applied to the shell inside outside and underneath before we shall be ready for final inspection and polishing.

The engine has been stripped and the block ,crankshaft and heads are currently at the machine shop receiving a re-grind, re-bore, some lead free valve seats and a skim for the heads. Meanwhile all the other engine parts have been cleaned ,restored and painted and are ready for the re-build .

A n entire new brake system was fitted along with new polybushed suspension , half shafts and re-built differential.


The car is due to be finished around easter 2007 and is already looking great with its new components and paint. I will post some pictures of the completed car and let you know how the engine re-build and finishing goes .Happy motoring…

We have got to know the stag well over the years and can gladly help and advise anyone thinking of undertaking such restoration work.

Click any of the pictures below to see it enlarged above.