When it comes to the cars celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2023, the humble Triumph 2000 might seem like a bit of a footnote alongside glamorous icons like the Porsche 911, Mercedes SL ‘Pagoda’ and Aston Martin DB5. And yet, the 2000 is of greater significance than is often realised, both for Triumph and the wider luxury car market.
In fact, the 2000 represents Triumph with its pulse most definitely to the ground in terms of changing consumer tastes – most notably, the shift away from larger cars in the upmarket executive segment. It was in the mid-1950s that management of both Triumph and Rover identified a possible decline in the popularity of what was at the time known as the ‘3-litre’ class. Changing demographics and a more youthful population meant that those in a position to afford or choose a car a cut above the average were after more than simply physical size and perceived prestige.
They were planning to drive themselves for a start, and with the new motorways under development, would be covering greater mileages than their predecessors in the course of business. As a result, they wanted spritely performance, nimble handling and perhaps above all, modern style. As the pre-war fashions of the 1940s had morphed into a new, stylish world and the ’60s were on the horizon, chintzy curtains and heavy furniture at home had been jettisoned in favour of G-Plan or Habitat and buyers wanted their cars to reflect the modern world.
All of which explains why the Triumph management were keen to produce a modern, driver-focused upmarket saloon.
It was a gap which perhaps unfortunately for Triumph, its thencompetitor Rover had also set out to fill, with the Rover P6 appearing a week ahead of the Triumph 2000 and the two eventually becoming inhouse rivals. A new market sector was effectively created, and executives never looked back.
BREAKING TRADITION
When work began on the new Triumph in 1957, the firm’s big saloon
