Triumph Gloria

Triumph Gloria
Triumph Gloria
	1991 cc 6-cylinder four door sports saloon; April 1935
Overview
Manufacturer	Triumph Motor Company
Production	August 1933–1938
Powertrain
Engine	1087 cc Coventry Climax IOE I4; 1232 cc Coventry Climax IOE I4; 1467 cc Coventry Climax IOE I6; 1496 cc OHV I4; 1767 cc OHV I4; 1991 cc Coventry Climax IOE I6;
Transmission	four-speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm) or 116 in (2,946 mm)

The Triumph Gloria is a range of cars produced by the Triumph Motor Company in Coventry, England, from 1933 to 1938.

History

Between 1933 and 1938 Triumph made a large and complex range of Gloria sporting saloons, coupés, tourers, 2-seater sports cars, drophead coupés and golfer's coupés. All these Glorias, apart from the final two models (1.5-Litre Saloon and Fourteen (1767 cc) Six-Light Saloon of 1937-1938) were powered by 1087 or 1232-cc four-cylinder or 1467 or 1991-cc six-cylinder Coventry Climax overhead inlet and side exhaust valve designed engines (modified and built under licence by Triumph).

The chassis came in two lengths, with an extra 8 in (203 mm) ahead of the passenger compartment depending on whether the four- or six-cylinder engine was fitted, and had conventional non-independent suspension with semi elliptic leaf springs. The brakes were hydraulically operated using the Lockheed system with large 12 in (305 mm) drums.^[3] A four-speed transmission was fitted with an optional free wheel mechanism allowing "clutchless" gear changing. Synchromesh was fitted to the gearbox on the final Fourteen and 1.5-litre models.

Base range

The first models in the Gloria range were a 9.53 hp (tax horsepower, 1087 cc) four-cylinder and a 12.95 hp six-cylinder model of 1467 cc, introduced in August 1933.^[4] After about 1,850 had been built, the four-cylinder's engine was increased to 1232 cc in August 1934, although the smaller engine continued to be installed in the Gloria Ten Saloon until July 1935. The six-cylinder engine was enlarged to 1991 cc at the same time.^[4]

Gloria Vitesse

From August 1934 to 1936 the Gloria range included "Gloria Vitesse" models (not to be confused with later Vitesses) which were up-rated, with twin carburettor engine and equipment, versions of the equivalent Gloria and slightly different bodywork in the case of some saloons.

Gloria Southern Cross

Gloria Southern Cross 10.8 HP 1,232 cc 1935

There was also from 1934 to 1937 an open two-seat sporting model, the Southern Cross, re-using the name previously applied to the sports version of the Triumph Super 9. This used a shortened chassis of 96 in (2,438 mm) for 1232 cc four-cylinder models and 104 in (2,642 mm) for the 1991 sixes.^[1]

Scale models and die-cast models

Lansdowne Models introduced a model of the 1935/6 Gloria Vitesse Sports Saloon in 2008.

References

^ ^a ^b Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
^ Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
^ Robson, Graham (1972). The Story of Triumph Sports Cars. London: Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 0-900549-23-8.
^ ^a ^b "Gloria Models – 1933 to 1938". Pre-1940 Triumph Motor Club. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.

Pre-1940 Triumph Owners Club website

[AZ1930-1] Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.

[BritishCars-2] Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.

[TriumphSports-3] Robson, Graham (1972). The Story of Triumph Sports Cars. London: Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 0-900549-23-8.

[Trclub-4] "Gloria Models – 1933 to 1938". Pre-1940 Triumph Motor Club. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]