Triumph Herald and Vitesse Spotter's Guide
(Key features at a glance.)
By Andy Mace
Herald (948cc): Coupé, Saloon, Convertible
- Exterior: handle on top of bonnet (Coupé and Convertible also feature bright metal strip from leading edge of handle forward and thin bright band covers bonnet flange surrounding grille); Coupé and Convertible feature crossed-flags badge at rear upper edge of rear quarters (no flags on saloon); roof badges on saloon read "Herald"; all cars feature Triumph "open-book" badge in blue and white in upper center of grille; virtually all U.S. specification cars carried the familiar white rubber bumper extrusions front and rear; plain chromed "nave plate" adorns silver painted wheels
- Interior: dashboard in molded pressboard and painted flat black with glovebox and hinged "chip basket" below; white-faced gauges -- large speedo w/fuel gauge and separate temp. gauge in Saloon models, small speedo and separate temp. and fuel gauges in Coupé and Convertible; grey steering wheel, column, switches and knobs; upholstery usually with contrasting piping, flash on door and rear side panels; Coupe and Convertible door panels included map pocket; window winder knob in white, and white escutcheons for window winder and door handle
Herald 1200 Coupé, Saloon, Convertible
- Exterior: No handle on top of bonnet, but all models feature bright metal strip, now extending from heater intake forward, but extra bright strip around grille opening is gone; Coupe and Convertible still feature crossed-flags badge at rear upper edge of rear quarters; roof badges on saloons usually read "Triumph"; later Sports 1200 models identified by home market 12/50-style grille and "Sports" script badge replaces similar Herald badge on trunklid; front valence modified with additional air intake, rear valences now bolt on, and white rubber bumpers continue; Vitesse-style "Star" frame incorporated circa 1963; other running manufacturing variances incorporated as well; wheels -- painted Spa White starting circa 1963 -- received full wheel covers (actually sided left or right, and also seen on U.S. specification Spitfires) in about the 1964 model year.
- Interior: dashboard still of molded pressboard, but most often covered by black padded vinyl, and now featuring a polished wooden facia; glovebox gains a door, but hinged "chip basket" is gone; black-faced gauges -- large speedo w/fuel gauge and separate temp. gauge in all models; black steering wheel, column, switches, knobs, window winder knob now black, and black escutcheons for window winder and door handle; upholstery usually solid color throughout, seat backrests are much thicker than on 948cc models, map pockets are gone from convertible door panels.
Sports 6 Convertible
- Exterior: much as Herald 1200, but front restyled with "trademark" slanted pairs of 5.75" headlamps; Sports 6 badge on trunklid; front and rear valences as Herald, but featuring aluminum extrusions instead of white rubber; wheels featured chrome nave plate as Herald, but with slotted rim embellishers
- Interior: as Herald 1200, except: in the latter part of 1963 a revised dashboard featured a smaller speedo with a matching tachometer and separate fuel and temperature gauges, and a large map pocket was added in the passenger footwell.
Numbering of Major Components
For the most part, engines, gearboxes and rear axle units are numbered similarly to the cars, although there are some exceptions. [NOTE: as with other Triumph engine units, the HE suffix denotes a high compression engine, and LE denotes a low compression engine.]
- Herald (948cc.) The G prefix denotes single-carburetor engine, Y denotes twin-carbuetor engine. The G (4.875:1 ratio) and Y (4.55:1) prefixes were similarly used on rear axle units. Gearboxes carried the G prefix.
- Herald 1200; Sports 1200 The GA prefix is most commonly found on engine, gearbox and rear axle (4.11:1). Prefix letters GD may also be found on engines; this denotes either the 48 hp. or 51 hp. version of the "12/50" engine.
- Herald 13/60 (not officially imported to the U.S.) The GE prefix is most often found on engine and rear axle; GA prefix continues on gearbox.
- Sports 6 (Vitesse 1600) The HB prefix, as used in Commission numbers, is also found on engine, gearbox and rear axle.
After 25-35 years, it would not be a surprise to come across a Herald or Vitesse with major components whose numbers do not match the listings above. As components are easily swapped with their "sports car" counterparts, one might find, for example, FC- or FD-prefix components (Spitfire 4-Mk.2 or Mk.3) in Heralds, or KC- or KD-prefix components (GT6) in a Sports 6.
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