Triumph Herald 13/60 Convertible – Removable Roof
Most initially expected the Herald to be phased out after Triumph’s new front-wheel-drive 1300 saloon was launched in 1965. But it continued to sell well, partly because it was cheaper and partly because it had built up a loyal following. Thus Triumph gave it a facelift in 1967 and created the 13/60 (1300cc engine, 60bhp) using an over-bored version of the previous 1147cc 12/50 engine. Its styling was also substantially, but very economically, updated by use of the Vitesse bonnet-pressing with single instead of twin headlights.
In this form the saloon remained in production until replaced by the Toledo in 1970. However, the last convertible 13/60s as modelled here were built in September 1971. Triumph chose to make their new Herald using a separate chassis, which was seen by many as out of date technology when the car was launched in April 1959. However, it made sense for a small company like Standard-Triumph as a number of body styles could be produced on the same chassis much more simply than if it had been of a monocoque construction. It was also pragmatic, larger rivals BMC had recently purchased body builders Fisher and Ludlow and refused to supply bodies to a market rival, leaving Standard-Triumph little alternative. However, engineer Harry Webster was able to turn the initial problem into a triumph by designing a body which was efficiently bolted on to the chassis in sections at the Canley factory.
Engine: 1296cc 4IL OHV; Power: 61bhp@5000rpm; Torque: 73lb.ft@3000rpm; 0-60mph: 17.7 seconds; Maximum speed: 84mph; Weight: 1876lbs.
