A LOVELY ORIGINAL UNRESTORED 1972 MK1 TRIUMPH STAG AUTOMATIC JUST 51,000 MILES.

PRESENTING

An exceptionally original and highly desirable 1972 Triumph Stag Mark 1 Automatic.

First owner 5 years then one family owner until last year and just 51. 00 miles

Always cherished and kept garaged today the car is remarkably rust free and is presented in very original condition.

As far as we can see never structurally welded and retaining all of its factory fitted panels and glass.

All original interior.

A lovely example of what has become the most sought after category of Stag - one that is low mileage. low owner. un-restored with most of its original parts yet with some room for minor improvements over time to accomplish perfection but that is perfectly usable as is without the need to do much. if anything. at all and that is priced accordingly.  

JUST GORGEOUS! 

The Triumph Stag was launched in June 1970 and immediately created a favourable impression with buyers. who were quite literally smitten by its simple beauty and its gorgeous engine note with accompanying exhaust 'woofle'.

The Stag opened up new markets for British Leyland – the company was well served with both Triumph and MG sports cars. but the Stag was something else again: a 4 seat grand tourer. Essentially the Stag created a market niche and although it was phased out in 1977 after a production run of just 25. 77. it is still viewed as the quintessential British “classic” sports car.

Even before production ceased the Triumph Stag was regarded to be a classic - it had everything: looks. power. a sound to die for. and a certain sector of the market all to itself.  Within the space of a few short years. it picked up a cult following. and remains today one of the most iconic classics of the time.

The following for the Stag remains stronger than ever with many owners clubs and parts specialist ensuring an amazingly high survival rate for the car with restored. or so called restored. examples being plentiful.

As with most classics though it is the un-restored original examples that are the rarest and hardest to find. they are the most sort after and consequently these are the cars that are most highly prized by the few owners lucky enough to own one.

Even leading Stag specialists say that in their opinion an original car is always the best option.

It is over thirty years now since the last true Triumph left the production lines and well over forty since the last Mk 1 Stag did.

Stag prices have risen lately and those in the know are predicting that Triumph's in General are set to take a huge leap. up to three times current prices. in value over the coming years. We think few will rise more so than good original un-restored Stag's especially the far rarer Mark one's - because. as with any classic. it is the first edition models a that are always the rarest. most desired and most valuable.

 DKR 888K

In May 1972 the Managing Director of one of the country's leading makers of bedding and mattresses for infants travelled the 10 or so miles from the companies Factory to Triumph & Rover Dealers - Miles (Maidstone) ltd.

The purpose of his visit was to collect his brand new Triumph Stag Automatic which although ordered and registered in the company name for tax reasons was to be the Directors private vehicle.  

DKR 888K had been ordered in the Popular colour - Sienna Brown with tan Ambla Trim.  

DKR 888K was to be the first owners absolute pride and Joy. According to the service book present in the History File the first 1000 mile service was not carried out until the car was 6 months old and had covered just 1157 miles.

Future servicing was carried out by Dutton Forshaw in accordance with the manufactures recommendations and the services recorded in the service book which track very low usage up until the early eighties. It is thought that the engine was replaced under warranty by Dutton Forshaw in the cars early months.

In 1977 the owner traded the car into Dutton Forshaw where it was purchased by its second owner who continued to have it maintained by them.

The last entry in the service book by Dutton Forshaw records the mileage in July 1981 at 27. 03.

By the late eighties the second owner was aging and. following a few minor parking mishaps. decided to give up driving.

Those parking dings and dents were attended to by the second owner before he confined DKR 888K to the garage - never to be driven again by him.

Sadly the owner died. The Stag was left to his son and the registration document transferred into his name in 1996.

The son used the Stag very infrequently and according to old MOT's in the file covered less than 2. 00 miles from 1999 until. once again. laying the car up in 2006 until last year.

In 2015 the second owners son after much deliberation decided to sell DKR 888K and donate the total proceeds to two charities.

The car ended up with one of our longstanding Classic car clients who had bought it following a search for a Mk1 Stag with this colour and trim combination as he used to have one the same in his younger days.

Our clients circumstances have since changed and we were delighted that he gave us the opportunity to purchase such and original car in such good condition.

BODYWORK

DKR 888K is remarkably rust free and original. All of the usual problem areas are excellent. The floors under the carpets are  not rusty. nor is the boot floor or the hood storage compartment none of these areas have ever been repaired.

The Stag would seem to retain all of its original panels.

As we say following those minor parking incidents some remedial paint work was carried out many years ago. In certain lights (strong sunlight) after so much time you can detect a slight colour variance.

This work would appear to have been to a high standard with both sides repainted although the boot bonnet and front panel would seem to still be original. Later vinyl side stripes were added.

The front and rear valance and the lower areas of the sills were correctly stone chipped before receiving the top coat to give future protection. which we must say has done the trick completely.

There are a few minor paint surface only 'Spiders' below the paint. hardly noticeable and none would appear penetrative into the metal below.

We have not been able to detect any major bodywork being necessary prior to the paintwork and our magnetic tests have not revealed any loss of magnetic attraction or anything sinister.

As far as we can make out from our ground level inspection there has never been any welding done to the underside and as it would seem that none is required.

Boot. and door shuts are in fantastic condition.

There is the odd stone chip and mark here and there that has been touched in with a touch up brush.

Chrome work is also in very original condition with no dents or splits.

Correct MK1 items such as steel wheels with pressed trims. grey badges. sills and rear number plate surround in body colour. Etc

The hood is one of the items that we refer to when we say for improvement. The hood we think has been changed to a Mk2 at some time. The Mk1 had windows in the sides which tended to split when folded. When this happened many opted for the later Mk2 hoods without the windows rather than risk having to replace Mk1's time after time.

The hood is serviceable but has two splits above the doors and a few small wear holes. We would say it will want replacing in time but you may get away with it for a while yet.

The hood frame overall seems good and not twisted. however the front centre rail has come adrift from the side rail on the drivers' side so it will need repair and possibly a weld. One of the rear half of the hood retaining catches is missing.

The hood does go up and down but with the front rail loose it is an easier operation with two people.

We have sourced a company that will supply an exchange hood and frame for a reasonable amount or of course you could have the frame repaired and just a new hood. We have not done this because - well if we did there is short waiting time and we think it best to let the new owner decide whether to opt for a Mk1 or Mk2 hood and keep the reserve price down lower accordingly.

INTERIOR

The interior is in very good to excellent original condition.

Again correct Mk1 items black bezel instruments. map light in glove box lid. interior lights on side panels. high back seats. larger diameter steering wheel. and very rare original velvet. rather than twist pile. carpets.

The tan Ambla facings to the seats are original and excellent although the foam on the backs has deteriorated a little - new foams re available.

The carpets do not show much sign of wear although at some point we would think a moth has been at them so they are - well - a little moth eaten!

back seat look as though they have never been used.

The wood veneer on the dash is excellent and original. as is the vinyl top.

The original door trims are good and have not been cut for radio speakers.

There are no rips or marks to the rest of the trim even the sun visors are original. have not lost shape and are still with their factory labels.

Period Radiomobile Radio cassette player with electric aerial. both working.

All of the knobs and switches are excellent and everything tested works as it should.

UNDER THE BONNET

The engine bay as you may expect is exceptionally clean with original stickers still in place.

Original sound deadening still in place.

IN THE BOOT

The generous sized boot is. again. in excellent condition with no tears. stains or marks to the black carpet trim.

Tool kit missing.

Original steel spare with we think original tyre.

Boot floor in rust free condition.

ON THE ROAD

The car starts on the button with manual choke - and that oh so fantastic sound.

Fitted immobiliser. which could be removed.

On the road the car drives like a dream. you just can't help loving it -it's just so proper!

The engine pulls well and the gear box changes up and down through the gears and kicks down just as it should.

Like all Stags (in fact most classics) it leaks a little oil. but nothing major.

The suspension is firm and tight and the power steering tight and precise.

You cannot fail to enjoy driving this Stag. if fact we took it for a blast around the Cotswolds on a sunny day last week and cannot remember having such fun in a car for a long time! Everything from the driving position onwards has just the best classic feel.

HISTORY FILE

1.    V5c (logbook) shows 3 former keepers 2 farther and son.

2.    MOT April 2017

3.    Correct plastic wallet with passport to service book with 12 entries.

4.    some old MOT's.

5.    Old service hangers

6.    Various service. maintenance and parts invoices over 130 in all

7.    Copy of second log book

SUMMARY

In our experience it is now extremely difficult to find an original MK1 Stag that is genuine. useable as is. has not been restored. not had considerable body work and welding and that is not in need of any these. DKR 888K however is exactly that and that is why we say that it is in the rarest. most sought after category.

Furthermore it is very low mileage and has been in the same family for almost forty years.  

If you are looking for such a car you will already know that you have your work cut out.  

There are plenty of so called restored Stags around. some good of course. the majority though - well absolutely horrendous. As we say even the Stag specialists that sell the good restored examples acknowledge that you just can't beat a good original example. They also know that it is the original cars that will not only hold their value but appreciate.

DKR 888K has had a cosmetic repaint down both sides years ago - as the result of the most minor of mishaps. Scarcely any bodywork was done at that time and none has been done since. if any had it would certainly be showing signs of such by now.

This is a very exceptional MK1 Triumph Stag indeed.

It does have room for improvement to make perfect but these items are not many - mainly - the hood. the seat backs and maybe. depending on how meticulous you are. the rest of the original paint (boot and Bonnet) to match the shade of the sides.

There are many possibilities with DKR 888K - keep it just as it is - use it and enjoy. or do the improvements over time. perhaps one item this winter and one the next and so on. or (although it really does not need it) take it to Concours standard over a few years without too much cost or work.

VALUE

Kept in this condition which. unlike a restored car. should not be hard to do this Stag will increase in value over the coming years. As we have said those in the know are predicting original condition Triumphs and Stags in particular are set to increase 3 fold in the not too distant future.

Not surprisingly we have been unable to find another 51. 00 mile un-restored car to make an exact price comparison with. Pistonheads is as good a place as any to look.

However there do seem to be several cars around on that site. albeit with more miles more owners or having been restored. with specialist dealers from £16K to  £30K.

The reserve for DKR 888K however is much. much lower. in fact thousands of pounds lower than the cheapest of these!

We have managed to keep the reserve. by not attending to those issues reported. at a four figure  sum which for a car such as this is quite remarkable really - the last stag we sold which was similar sold for over £15. 00     

VIEWING

We will. of course. be happy for serious buyers to view the car by appointmentwith reasonable notice prior to auction end.   However. we are a business and although will always try to accommodate viewing days and times even outside of normal business hours it may not always be possible.

We do usually give a guide of the expected final price. If you are unsure of being able to acquire the relevant funds equal to that expected final price you should question. for both our sakes. whether you should come to view.

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want before you bid. If you have any doubt come and see it first or at the very least telephone. However. if you require someone else to sanction the purchase. i. e. your wife's permission. please get it before you come to view.

If you do want to view or ask for any more information please call David. on 07771 567567 (this number is our business only number and not with us 24/7) or e-mail via ebay. We really are very approachable and welcome any questions about the vehicle but ask that you telephone at reasonable hours only.

ORIGINAL V RESTORED - OUR VIEW

We endeavour. on the whole. to offer original. genuine. exceptionally low mileage and un-restored cars from the 1970's and 1980's.

Almost all cars from this era have had a little paint rectification carried out at some time during their 20-40 years. However there is. of course. a huge difference between rectification of paint work and total vehicle restoration.

Paint rectification at the factory post production line or. indeed. by the supplying dealer to correct faults or delivery damage was common in the 60's. 70's and 80's when most cars were at least in part sprayed by hand as opposed to today's fully automated processes. Often we will offer a car that has had some paint rectification for these reasons or perhaps to localised areas following parking mishaps etcetera.

Occasionally we may offer a car that has had rather more paint rectification although we will always endeavour to make this known. if we are aware of it. in the description. It will be very rare however for us to offer a car that has had a full restoration including replacement panels etc and only then if we have satisfied ourselves of the quality of the work.

It is becoming extremely difficult to obtain an un-restored 20-50 year old car. By and large they were just not built to last in the 70's and 80's. However. if you do find an original example that's survived the chances are that. if looked after. it should last for many more years. after all it will only have lasted this long because it will have had little use and been extraordinarily well cared for previously. The same. unfortunately. is far less likely to be able to be said for a car that has under gone renovation.

We think that you simply cannot beat a straight original example of any item. There is a school of thought that believes that if you take something apart and then put it back together you are just recreating that item in a false attempt to make it as it was in its former glory. and that no matter how well a vehicle has been restored it can only be original once.

Whereas we know that many restorations are done to the highest standards we believe that there are far more that are not. Who really knows what skulduggery may lie beneath a car that has possibly covered hundreds of thousands of miles then been restored at least one time or maybe even more than once! In our view if a car has required restoration then by default it must have become worn out. tired and have most probably been neglected.

It is interesting to note that of late we have sold some of our finest original quality cars to some of that particular Marques top and best known restorers - not for them to restore but for them to keep! Even they know. in their hearts. that one thing is for sure - a car that has been the subject of restoration. no matter how good will. almost without exception. lack the spirit and soul of an original example and probably cost 3 times as much to complete and be worth less than half than an original example when done!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

BY BIDDING ON ANY ITEM IT WILL BE DEEMED THAT YOU HAVE READ UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPT THESE CONDITIONS.

ZERO RATED BIDDERS OR BIDDERS WITH A RATING OF LESS THAN 10. please read the conditions that apply to you below.

Contacts. location

The vehicle is in South West Oxfordshire. 15 minutes from the A34 at Oxford (M40 from London or Birmingham) or 20 minutes from Swindon East Junction of the M4.

Business Mobile 07771 567567 (reasonable hours only please)

E-mail via ebay

Before you enter a bid

Please be sure that this is the vehicle that you want. that you are happy with and understand the description (see below). that you understand the rules of ebay and that you have read these terms and conditions and that you accept them.

Description

We have included a fairly comprehensive description and photographs which many people will feel happy to buy from. We are sure that you will find the description will give an accurate outline of the vehicle although as people's expectations vary you are welcome to view before auction end.

The pictures and the description should be viewed in detail together and you should make use of them both. not just one of them. in reaching your decision to bid. A imperfection that is visible in the pictures may not be mentioned in the description - and visa-versa.

The description endeavours to be as informative as practically possible but it is not. obviously. meticulous with regard to every individual part or area of the vehicle. It is intended to represent just an outline of the general state of the vehicle and is not a thorough condition assessment report.

If we find a major problem we will say so. however any checks made in compiling the description will have only been carried out at ground level without the use of a hoist or any other equipment. Therefore any issues in areas not readily visible without the vehicle being raised are specifically excluded in the description and from the reasons not to proceed as outlined below.

There are some General proviso's regarding classic vehicles and the parts that make them up that are often decades old. Please remember they have been used and are not "new out of the box" and will inevitably show signs of such. All vehicles and their components deteriorate as soon as they leave the factory. just some to a lesser degree than others.

This is not a new vehicle. or a vehicle that has been restored using new parts so most of the parts and often the paint finish will indeed be many years old. Common sense. giving consideration to its age and mileage. should prevail.

Any references to condition should be taken in the context of age and type of vehicle. For example we may say "remarkably rust free". that should be taken in context of the age and type of vehicle. It should not be taken that the vehicle and its components are entirely without perhaps some oxidisation whatsoever anywhere. Or we may say "never welded" and this or anything similar should be accepted as referring only to that that is obviously noticeable and from ground level. This is not necessarily a reflection on this particular vehicle but applies to classic cars in general.

If you require any further information regarding specific areas please just ask. BEFORE YOU BID or come and view to satisfy yourself.

Finally so confident are we that our description is a fair representation of the overall condition of the vehicle that if. on collection. it is not and there are obvious major imperfections or serious faults. not previously mentioned. we will not expect you to proceed. However please do not interpret this genuine good practice offer as a way out of not proceeding due to imperfections or faults not considered serious or any that we could not reasonably have known of. or not paying. or paying less for a vehicle. that you have legally bought for the amount bid at the auction end.

We are a business selling on ebay it is important to us to maintain our good seller's reputation and ensure that our customers are completely satisfied. Therefore it is  positively not in our interest to deliberately miss-describe the vehicle. Which brings us on to:-

Our one negative feedback

If you look at our feed back over the last ten years it is exemplary. Positive feedback for over 100 classic cars and comments that we are very proud of.

We list here just a few extracts. "The car was exactly as described" "VERY ACCURATE DESCRIPTION"  "Car Was As Described & It's Beautiful"    then praise about us -"100% satisfied An outstanding seller & a true gentleman" "Completely trustworthy excellent seller with knowledge and passion" "honest and professional"  "The man is a perfect Gent - excellent car. delighted with entire thing top marks" "I think I have dealt with one of the best sellers on E bay if not the best" .

 . and so on - high praise indeed. We have listed here just a few. there are many more similar reviews that can be viewed in our feedback section.

Most will be happy to buy from us as a seller with such previous quality feedback and most likely won't feel the need to read further. If you are a little unsure though because of the one negative feedback you may want to read on.

"NOT 'original'. Fresh paint. described as 'factory'. Rust bubbles. Wheels loose. " is what the buyer. who was a motor dealer and had fully inspected the vehicle before taking delivery. said.

The vehicle in question was a Motorhome converted when new from an early eighties Fiat van not much bigger than a small car. The actual paint finish of these vans when new was sometimes less than perfect. Runs in the paint. often an "orange peel" surface finish.

For this vehicle in our listing under the bodywork section we said:-

"For a 30 year old Fiat. as we say they were renown for corrosion. Y is remarkably rust free with just the smallest of hardly visible areas of surface only oxidisation in one or two places.   

The vast majority of the paint remains factory applied complete with unintentional but standard 'orange peel' effect. considered acceptable in the early eighties on Italian built vehicles intended for commercial use.

 We have had our body shop attend to a couple of areas of surface only rust such as around the rear vents and in a couple of other places. " 

We had. then. clearly stated that there was some fresh paint alongside the vast majority (not all) of factory original and that there was some surface rust bubbles (oxidisation) remaining in one or two places. We stand by the description as correct. Most of the paint was original. Our body shop give us assurances that when they worked on the areas mentioned in the listing there were no additional coats of primer between the top coat and the factory primer and only the one top coat. The paint finish on the inside of the vehicle. also without question original. matched that of the outside with exactly the same density of Orange Peel effect. The finish on this camper was indeed mostly original and exactly as described.

Photographs

All photographs in the listing are taken by us using a digital camera. They are recent and are often taken just hours before the listing is posted. Other shots may be available please just ask and let us have an email address. by text is the best way. All photographs are copyrighted and may not be used elsewhere without our express written permission.

Test drive

You will be able to take the vehicle on an accompanied test drive before you pay for it but will only be able to not proceed if you find an obvious major mechanical fault that has not been mentioned in the description.

When you bid

By bidding you are agreeing and legally bound. if your bid is highest and the reserve is reached. to unconditionally buy the vehicle for the price that you have bid.

Negative. zero rated. international bidders or bidders with a score of less than 10 please call or e-mail before you bid with a landline number and address. We accept that just because you don't have a high score does not mean that you are not serious. but we do need to check you are real. that you clearly understand the rules and your intentions are good.

Far be it for us to tell you how to go about bidding. However. over the years we have had some bitterly disappointed bidders who placed their best and final bid just too late.

We understand why you might leave your bidding until the final few seconds however please at least make sure that you are signed in to your ebay account. one of our customers missed a car that he had searched years for because when he went to bid he had been logged out and had not left himself time to re enter his password!

It may be to your advantage to take independent advice on the best way to bid. You are welcome to call 07771 567567 after the auction end should your bid not have been successful.

Reserve and buy it now price

As is the way with auctions. we will not normally divulge the reserve price or issue a buy it now price. if we do from time to time we will state so in the description.

In fairness to all bidders we will not end the auction early and let it run its course. except on the very rear occasion of the vehicle being advertised elsewhere.

Please. do not ask what the reserve is set at we really are unable to say any more about the reserve than we already have under the value section.

If you are the winner

The Successful bidder should contact us within 12 hours of auction end. Preferably  by email. via ebay. and by telephone 07771 567567.

An invoice will be issued for the full amount via ebay with instructions how to pay the deposit via Paypal.

All buyers must pay a £250 Deposit via Paypal or cash within 24 hours of end of auction.

Payment

In all cases the balances. after the £250 deposit above or any additional deposit below. must be paid within 7 days of auction end.

The total Balance to be paid by Cash U. K pounds on collection or bank transfer prior to collection. We will transfer the money back should we not proceed for misrepresentation reasons on collection only. as outlined above.

We are unable to accept any payment other than the £250 deposit via Paypal.

If you are unable to provide the above we will require an additional deposit of 10% of the sale price paid in cash or bank transfer within 48 hours of the auction end. Sorry there can be no exceptions and deposits are not refundable.

Collection

The vehicle must be collected before 1600hrs on Thursday 1 September or after Wednesday 7 September but in any event before Saturday 10 September unless otherwise agreed. We will assist you with collection where we can and will email full directions on how to find us.

Please give us as much notice of required collection time and date as possible. If you are delayed on your way to us it's not normally a problem please just let us know. We would ask that you ring us when you are an hour or so away from us.

We reserve the right to charge for storage if the vehicle is not collected within 7 days of auction end.

Usually a mechanic does carry a pre sale levels & safety check (lights etc) at our premises  at ground level only without the use of a hoist. This check is not by any means exhaustive As we have said though we are not restorers and this is not a vehicle that has been rebuilt.

Please remember that the vehicles we sell often are many years old and some of them have had very little or even no recent use. If you are able we would suggest a policy of easing a car back into service gradually. Despite our best endeavours to ensure they don't. occasionally things can unexpectedly go wrong. Our advice would be to allow plenty of time for your journey. especially if you are catching a ferry and it may be a good idea to have AA or RAC cover. again this is not a reflection on this particular car just good general advice for any older/classic car user.

We are happy to pick up the buyer from Oxford. Didcot or Swindon Station; delivery of the vehicle or collection of the buyer from elsewhere may be possible at extra cost – just ask. We will always try to be flexible and help where we can

AIRPORTS. Provided that the reserve price has been met we do offer a collection service from Birmingham. Luton. Heathrow or Bristol Airports. subject to suitable times. We charge a nominal £50. 00 for this. For costs where the reserve has not been met or other locations please enquire.

Delivery. we do have a tow vehicle and are able to hire a trailer big enough for most cars. please enquire.

General

Non paying bidders will be reported to ebay and may be referred to an international debt collection agency.

The successful bidder should ensure that the vehicle is insured by them at auction end.

Bidders from outside the U. K. welcome but please call before bidding.

Descriptions. terms conditions and pictures used in this listing are copyrighted and may not be used without the authors express permission.

Items bought at auction and classics vehicles over 25 years old are sold without warranty and no returns are accepted.

 You will not be disappointed with this vehicle so please start your bidding now- best of Luck

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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