"A Chance to Reply" -1930s Triumphs

Sir,

I was interested to read Graham Robson’s well researched letter on the 30’s Triumphs and glad that he corrected a couple of my “goofs”, namely the two distinct Southern Cross models and the chrome radiator on the Dolomite model.

With regard to the Monte Carlos, I regret that my information was apparently in error.· When I severed connections· with the Pre-1940 Triumph Owners Club (many years ago) mine was one of only two cars known at that time, and most of their fund of information on the model was from articles written by myself about my car., I would still argue that there were only six genuine Monte Carlos, in the same way that any Ford Mexico is not one of the original World Cup rally cars!!

 I would also argue Mr. Robson’s statement that the Vitesse was an entirely separate family. In my original handbook -long since lost – there was a picture labelled “The Gloria Vitesse” which was identical to the Monte I owned as far back as the rear seats, after which the tail followed the rear wing line in a stylish sweep .

Perhaps the difficulty which we all face is that with such continued re-use of model names, even Triumph themselves would not know the answer.

In conclusion let not the bickering over historical fact eclipse the original purpose of my letter in praising the models of the time and defending them as excellent, well-engineered, sporting cars.

Romford R. J. DOVE