Registration - MYN 59D

Chassis No. - HB32045CV

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 34,730

This interesting Vitesse has only had three owners from new and currently displays an unwarranted but credible total mileage of 34,730. It started life as a 1596cc example, but is now powered by the later 1998cc engine. Finished in dark green and trimmed in black vinyl, ‘MYN 59D’ is said by the vendor to be ‘mechanically good and to run and drive well’. He also considers the interior to be ‘very good’, but volunteers that ‘the bodywork and paintwork would now benefit from attention’. So, a very affordable rag top that could be enjoyed as it is or restored to its former glory.

The Vitesse was launched in the April of 1962 and was effectively a big-engined version of Triumph’s four-cylinder Herald range, based on the same backbone chassis. Like the Herald, it was styled by Giovanni Michelotti, who managed to redeploy most of the Herald body panels while giving the newcomer its own distinctive character, courtesy of a ‘Chinese eye’ four-headlamp front end. Power initially came from a 1596cc version of the family’s straight-six Vanguard engine, though this was enlarged to 1998cc in 1966, when a more-manly gearbox and better disc/drum brakes were also installed. The two-door Vitesse was available in both coupe and convertible guise, and a total 51,212 examples of the model had been produced by the time it was usurped by the all new Dolomite in 1971.