NEW RANGE OF TRIUMPH SPORTS MODELS.

The “Gloria ” and The “Dolomite.

DURING the last year or 1′ two the Triumph Company have been devoting attention more to the manufacture of soundly made small closed vehicles than to the production of sports cars. The time has been spent in perfecting the Gloria chassis, a sturdy lowslung sports job which attracted much favourable comment at the Motor Show.

The chassis members, viewed from the side, are almost straight, and sweep down from the rear engine mounting and pass under the rear axle. A wide and strong pressing braces the front end of the frame, and a pair of bridge-shaped members each have one end joined to the frame just opposite the clutch casing and the other at the front end of the rear springs. Their centre portions are joined by short members passing under the propellor shaft, forming an X girder bracing of immense strength.

The chassis may be fitted with either a four-cylinder or a six cylinder engine, with capacities of 1,087 and 1,476 c.c. respectively, paying a tax of £10 or £13. The inlet valves are overhead, with sideby-side exhaust valves, and two downdraught carburetters are standard. High lift cams and polished ports play a part in securing a high power output. The four-speed gear-box has remotecontrol, and a constant mesh third gear. It is mounted in unit with the engine, and the assembly is suspended froin five points. Two are silentbloc bushes on the front pressing, two are on the clutch housing and the fifth supports the rear end of the gear-box. A free-wheel is

embodied and can be locked when not required. The transmission follows conventional lines, with an open propellor shaft and spiral bevel back axle. Hydraulic brakes are used, and the hand brake operates the rear shoes by cams and enclosed levers.

The underslung chassis favours low, built bodies, and the open four seater is an attractive job. The body-line runs level from the radiator to the hood, but the two doors are cut away. In cold weather panels concealed in the doors can be hinged up to give more protection, and the body is wide enough even then to give good elbow room. The front wings are swept back to good effect. The car is very fully equipped and permanently fitted jacks overcome the difficulty of getting under a sloping tail. With an open body the four cylinder ” Gloria ” costs £285, and as a saloon, £300. Corresponding models with six

cylinder engines cost respectively £325 and £340. Experiments with the two-carburetter Gloria engines have shown that by further raising the compression a useful addition of power can be obtained. These powerunits have been used as the basis of the

” Dolomite ” series. Elektron and other light metals have been freely used and the power-weight ratio should make this an extremely lively motor car. The final details are not quite settled, but it is interesting to notice the use of Elektron brake drums and of radius rods to absorb the braking torque of the new brakes.

The” Dolomite” cars will be available in chassis form and will cost 2400 and £500 for the four and the six. An attractive open two-seater with rakish Continental lines, with a resemblance to the 11 litre racing Alfa-Romeo, will also be listed for a further £100. The first of the new cars should be coming through in January.