The Triumph 2000 was a mid-sized automobile produced in Coventry by the Triumph Motor Company between 1963 and 1977. As well as in the United Kingdom, the car was built in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Using the six cylinder engine first seen in the Standard Vanguard in 1961 and 4 speed manual gearbox (overdrive and 3 speed automatic were options), the monocoque body had independent suspension all round using coil springs. The servo assisted brakes were disc at the front and drums at the rear.
[] Triumph 2000 MkI
The 'Mark I' was built between 1963 and 1969; a substantial facelift styled by Michelotti came in 1969, updating the car for the 1970s. It came in saloon and estate forms. The estate, launched in 1965 with body shell partly built by Carbodies, was actually 5 inches (125 mm) shorter than the saloon.
In 1968 the 2.5 PI Mark I was launched, fitted with a Lucas Automotive mechanical fuel injection system. Performance was very good, but the PI models gained a reputation for unreliability and poor fuel economy. In Australia these models suffered badly because of the summer heat. The electric fuel pump commonly overheated causing fuel to vapourise and render the engine inoperable until it cooled down. Because of the launch late in the Mark I's life, there are relatively few PIs in the original shape.
[] Triumph 2000 MkII
In 1969, the Mark II range was launched, aping the look of the then-upcoming Triumph Stag grand tourer. There were entry-level 2000 models, which were the most plentiful, but the remainder of the range consisted of 2500, 2500 TC and 2500 PI models. Apart from the PI models, all Triumph 2000 and 2500's had twin Stromberg or SU carburettors, so the 'TC' designation is confusing. In 1975 the 2500S model, with 14 inch (356 mm) wheels and anti-roll bar, was added and replaced the PI models.
The Mark II, the last big Triumph car, ceased production in 1977, supplanted by BL's corporate executive car, the Rover SD1. A few were still being registered in New Zealand as late as 1979, and many were still on the road in the 1990s. Sir Robert Muldoon, New Zealand's then-Prime Minister, privately owned a 2500S and had been known to drive to work in it.
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