The Triumph Italia 2000

By Scott Marquis

In the late 1950’s Dr. Salvatore Ruffino, Triumph distributor for Italy, felt there was room in the postwar automotive market for an upscale sports/GT car. Ruffino engaged Giovanni Michelotti to execute a design to be constructed on chassis taken directly from Triumph’s TR3 production line. Leveraging Michelotti’s close connections to Carrozzeria Vignale, Ruffino contracted with the Turin firm to coach build the coupé bodies and complete production.

Each Italia is identified by a “Vignale number” on a diestamped tag riveted under the bonnet, and carries a standard TR3 chassis numbers beginning with TS or TSF and ending in “CO” (chassis-only) or “COO” (chassisonly with overdrive).

Assuming access to a 720-member Triumph dealer network, Dr. Ruffino planned to produce 1000 cars. Unfortunately, Italia production coincided with both difficult business times for Standard-Triumph, and planned introduction of the TR4. As a result, just 330 cars were built between 1958 and 1962, including two prototypes and 328 production units. 126 of these cars are known to survive, with 55-60 thought to be in running condition.

Three Triumph Italias will be on display at Forest Grove. Italia #58 is an example from early production and was restored by a prior owner. Mid-production Italia #215 is well known for its unusual (but correct) moss green finish, and high degree of originality. Italia #227 was subject of a 12-year restoration and is the last known car without an external fuel filler door.

As Italia interest and values have risen, many U.S. have been returned to Europe. Only 23 are now known in the U.S, and these three cars represent 25% of roadworthy U.S. Italias.

See Them Today!

See them in class F5 and F7