Triumph Italia 2000 GT
The Italia 2000 GT was produced over the period 1959 to 1963. Something less than 300 were ever made. (297 TR3A/B chassis delivered from Coventry to the Italian coachbuilder Vignale). Each original owner had to sign a contract that included among its clauses the fact that no body panels or trim pieces were available as spares.
The car was designed by Giovanni Michellotti in 1958. The hand built bodies were fitted to complete TR3 chassis that were delivered. The plan was to produce about 1000 cars and supply at least one to every Standard-Triumph agent around the world. In reality with the arrival of the TR4 these plans were cancelled as Triumph was more kee to promote their new model. Around fifty examples of this car are thought to exist today.
Due to its high list price, close to US$5000, a number of cars sat on dealer’s lots for over two years before being discounted and eventually purchased. The Italia was produced with the blessing of Triumph, but was not an official Triumph model.
One of the first chassis numbers is TS51639LCO (the vehicle Triumph tested in 1960). The last 30 cars were made on TSF501 through TSF530, the last 30 TR-3B first series chassis. All cars had both the TR-3A/B commission number plate and a " Vignale number", but they were not kept in chassis order when bodied. As far as we know, numerous changes were made car-to-car according to what the purchaser wanted.
factfile
4 cylinder, 1991cc, 101bhp, max speed 200kmh.
Dimension on the car was 394x145x124, total 975kg.
Wheelbase was 223,5cm.
