Triumph Super 7
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2021) |
Triumph Super 7 and Super 8 | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 1250 pounds, 570 kg (saloon)[1] | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | none | |
Successor | Triumph Super 9 |
The Triumph Super 7 is a car manufactured from 1927 until 1934 by the Triumph Motor Company. It was produced as a response to the success of the Austin 7 and was Triumph's first car to be made in large numbers. In 1933 the name was changed to the Triumph Super 8.
Design
Development of the new car had started in 1925 when Arthur Sykes, who had been with
The chassis had a rigid front axle supported by half-elliptic springs and a live rear axle with Austin 7-like quarter-elliptics, allowing the chassis side members to finish ahead of the rear axle. The three-speed non-synchromesh gearbox was mounted in unit with the engine and transmitted power to the
Body styles
A range of body styles was offered, all made in house. The cheapest model was a two-door four-seat tourer, followed by a de-luxe tourer with two-coloured body, a two-seater with
Model history
For 1929 a new body style was released called the Special Sports with pointed tail and there was also briefly a supercharged version with the engine capacity reduced to 747 cc and reputedly able to reach 80 mph (130 km/h), but it was expensive at £250, and few seem to have been sold. Also in 1929
More body styles appeared in 1930 when a two-seat coupé, a de-luxe fabric saloon and a landaulet appeared. Wire wheels became standard replacing the artillery type that had been used on some versions. The extensive range was simplified for 1931 with the deletion of the fabric saloons, landaulet, coupé and Special Sport but a Gnat sports tourer and Tickford-bodied saloon were added.[2]
With the deteriorating economic climate a further rationalisation of the range was carried out in 1932 with the cars being designated Mark I for the tourers and Mark II for the saloons. A pillarless saloon joined the range. The car's track grew from 42 to 43.5 inches (1105 mm), the rear springs were changed from quarter to semi elliptic on the Mk II Saloons, and the de-luxe models got a four-speed gearbox.
The Super 8
The name was changed in 1933 to the Super 8, the car had always technically fallen into the 8 hp taxation bracket, and all cars gained the Mk II chassis. The body range was further reduced to the two-door saloon, pillarless saloon and four-seat tourer. This was the last year for the car. Triumph had already launched the Super 9 in 1931, and this car was destined to be the replacement.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ "The Triumph Gnat". Motor Sport. August 1931.
Bibliography
- A-Z of cars of the 1920s. Nick Baldwin. Bay View Books. 1994 ISBN 1-870979-53-2
- The Story of Triumph Sports Cars. Graham Robson. Motor Racing Publications. 1972 ISBN 0-900549-23-8
- A-Z of cars of the 1930s. Michael Sedgwick, Mark Gillies. Bay View Books. 1989 ISBN 1-870979-38-9
- Pre 1940 Triumph Motor Cars from Family Photograph Albums. Graham Shipman. Pre 40 Triumph Owners Club. 2005 ISBN 0-9550422-1-6
- "Super Little Seven" Jonathon Wood. The Automobile, January 2000
External links
- "75 Years of Triumph Cars". Club Triumph. Archived from the original on 2 May 2005.