Triumph Herald History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Introduced by Standard-Triumph in 1959 and styled by Giovanni Michelotti, the Herald used a separate chassis with unbolt-able body panels — a choice forced when its planned body supplier fell under rival BMC's control. The modular construction let Triumph offer saloon, coupe, convertible and estate variants cheaply on one platform.
Praised for its 25-foot turning circle and (early on) controversial swing-axle rear suspension, the Herald sold over half a million and became the technical foundation of the marque's small cars: the Spitfire, Vitesse and GT6 all derive from its chassis and running gear. Engines grew from 948 cc through 1147 cc to 1296 cc across the run.
Generations
Herald 948 · 948 cc original
The launch car with a 948 cc four, offered as saloon, coupe, convertible and (later) estate on the bolt-together separate chassis.
Herald 1200 / 12-50 · 1147 cc
Enlarged to 1147 cc; the volume Herald, with the sportier 12/50 adding more power and a sunroof.
Herald 13/60 · 1296 cc
Final Herald with the 1296 cc engine and a restyled, sloping bonnet shared with the contemporary Vitesse.
Body styles
- Saloon
- Coupe
- Convertible
- Estate
Related models
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