Lot details
Registration No: LAO354E
Chassis No: HC675DL
Mot Expiry: Feb 2018

- Recent repaint and new hood, dark blue with tan interior

- Wood refurbished, carpets replaced

- Good quantity of old MoTs back to 1983, assorted invoices

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 robust gearbox and better disc/drum brakes were also installed.

Originally starting life as a saloon, LAO 354E is understood to have been converted around 1980 being enjoyed by two owners for the next twenty years. In 2013 the car was discovered needing work by a previous owner who commissioned a respray, a mechanical inspection, the fitting of new carpets and soft top. MoT'd to February 2018, it is offered with Swansea V5c, assorted invoices, summary of works completed and a quantity of old MoT certificates.