Triumph Southern Cross, 1932-1937
So what exactly is the Southern Cross?
The Southern Cross was Triumph's Sports Car from 1932-1937. The cars were named after a constellation visible only in the southern hemisphere. Triumph's primary export market was in Australia and New Zealand during the pre-war years. To this day prewar Triumphs are more common "down under" than anywhere else outside the U.K.
The Southern Cross (abbreviated "SX" on the body ID plates) was introduced in 1932 as a sports version of the Triumph Super Nine. This was a four seat sports tourer, a la Bentley, which could be driven with a tonneau over the rear seats. It was produced through 1934, and was the basis of Triumph's first works competition cars at the Alpine Trials and the Monte Carlo Rally of 1934.
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Dale Will's 1936 |
The Gloria Southern Cross (also "SX"), introduced in 1935, was a short chassis sports Gloria, which was otherwise available in a range of tourer and saloon bodies equipped with four or six cylinder engines. The 1935-1937 Southern Cross feature two seat roadster bodywork, with a classic slab gas tank and twin spares on the rear. The four cylinder cars have a profile and length similar to a T series MG, but are wider and therefore appear larger. The much rarer six cylinder cars are stretched 9" between the firewall and the radiator, which adds to the sweeping lines. All were styled by Walter Belgrove who was the only Triumph carryover into the post-war era, and would also give us our beloved TRs of the forties and fifties.
The Southern Cross compared favorably with other small sportscars of the day, and particularly excelled in trials and rallies where their strength could win out over lighter but more fragile machines. This robust quality would become the hallmark of the TR's success in later years. It is said that Standards CEO John Black acquired Triumph primarily for the sporting reputation, which was largely the result of the Southern Cross.
Further information about the Southern Cross includes:
- Southern Cross History
- Southern Cross Spotter's Guide.
- Southern Cross Buyer's Guide
- Southern Cross Spare Parts
- Southern Cross Pictures Archive
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