TEAM ADVENTURE
Danny Hopkins and Matt George take their Triumph 2000s home to meet the ancestor
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Driving my 1972 Triumph 2000 west along the A14 I am struck by two things. First, that my Michelotti-designed forever car has never been home to its birthplace and second, how extraordinarily competent it is. Given the way in which the 2000 arrived it has no right to be. In 1963, with Triumph recently acquired by a bullish Leyland Trucks, a cash influx saw ‘Project Zebu’ become ‘Project Barb’ and achieve production readiness in only two years. To launch from drawing board to prototype in that time was unheard of – the Triumph 2000 has no right to be this good.
The fact that I am holding my own in the rush hour, in the rain, in comfort and quiet in a car that 60 years ago was spawned so quickly is remarkable. Yes, I know mine is a MkII, so more refined, but it is still testimony to the skills and expertise of the Triumph engineers and designers who made it happen. ‘Barb’ preserved the parameters and mechanical layout of the final ‘Zebu’ prototype, but adopted monocoque construction and styling by Michelotti. It was sexy – still is – and along with the other hugely important launch of 1963, the Rover P6, redefined a sector. Think about it, the Rover P4 and the Standard Vanguard replaced by these two. The future had arrived.
So, as I exit the M6 and drive into Coventry, it’s no wonder the car is greeted with a cheery wave or two (from people of a certain age). The memories are still strong even 46 years after the final car was made. I head for Scumbag Motors to meet MB1 the, recently rediscovered, first production car. I greet proprietor, Karl Dandridge, along with his team and our own Matt George in his big Triumph. Also joining us, Andy Roberts from the Triumph 2000/2500/2.5 Register. We talk and nose around MB1, the first production car that is now safe for future generations to enjoy. It's remarkable in so many ways that the basic concept and principles are so similar to my later car.
The Triumph 2000 made its first public appearance in October 1963, at the Earl’s Court Motor Show, with customer cars ready for January 1964. It was a make or break moment. The new car would hopefully build on the success of previous year’s newbie, the Triumph Spitfire. It was universally well received, a frugally developed, carefully thoug
