A pair of new Triumphs

The Triumph Toledo and the Triumph 1500

Two new models were announced by Standard Triumph last month, the Toledo, a new 1,300 c.c. model, and a new 1,500 c.c. called quite simply the Triumph 1500 which replaces the existing Triumph 1300 and 1300 TC variants. Both cars were announced to the motoring press at the same time as the V8-engined Stag, and we were unable to drive the cars for any great length of time, although the short period spent with the Toledo and 1500 left us with a fairly favourable impression.

The Toledo is a two-door, front-engined rear-wheel-drive car, the engine being the same as used in the current 1,300 c.c. model. The bodyshell is again a development of the existing 1300 with a revised front and rear end, as is the suspension which has been beefed-up. As both models had only a few hundred miles on the clock, it would be terribly unfair to criticise or praise either constructively, but we did find that the Toledo was faster in both acceleration and on top speed than the 1500, which we put down to the tightness of the 1500 engine, but in actual fact consultation of the manufacturer’s figures suggests there is not a great deal of difference in performance between the two.

The Triumph 1500 has been introduced following customer reaction to the old 1300 model. It was felt a larger engine and increased luggage capacity would make for a far more attractive proposition, and so the 1500 was born. The engine is an up-stroked version of the 1,296 c.c. unit as used in the Toledo, but unlike the Toledo the 1500 is driven via the front wheels. The bodyshell is very similar to the Toledo, although it incorporates a twin-headlight system, and a more attractive rear end. The interior is up to the usual standard set by previous Standard Triumph models, with good instrumentation, which includes the usual “all-go” warning lights.

Prices of the two models are £888 15s. 4d. for the Toledo and £1,113 6s. 5d. for the 1500, purchase tax included, and the cars will be available as from September 24th, 1970. The introduction of these models sees the death of the Herald and its variants, and we hope to test them in full in the near future, although if the Jaguar XJ6 and the Triumph Stag are anything to go by, it will be many months before the British Leyland PR people deign to make these cars available to us.—H. G. W.