Triumph Toledo - the budget 70s classic car you need to own!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Today's video features the Triumph Toledo - a budget classic car which is a great starter classic and still an affordable classic car for many.
1970 saw Triumph, now part of British Leyland, step into a new some said more ‘logical’ era where the saloons on offer just made a little more sense.
You had the new Toledo, which came in as a middle point between the slightly dated Herald and the soon to depart 1300, the 1300 was replaced by the 1500 and then a couple of years later in 1972, the range was complemented by the Dolomite.
Whilst the meatier 1500 sported a long stroke version of the 1300 engine as used in the FWD drive car from the 60s, the Toledo used the 1300 engine as used in the FWD car and the Herald.
Some might say, why not develop a new engine, but as with many 70s cars, a perfectly adequate engine option was carried over in favour of updating body styling instead. Plus, if you wanted more power, you were steered toward the 1500 on the forecourt.
The 1300 engine delivered 58bhp, which came in as a power reduction from the 61bhp advertised on the 1300 FWD. This was put down to the conversion to the DIN standard for power output.
Interestingly, Triumph saw the Toledo as the car with potential; it was a unit to develop upon and provide brilliant new opportunities.
We talk a little of it in the car later on, but although you see few changes outwardly to the car, there are enormous changes underneath which were made to take the 1300 FWD design to one which befitted RWD functionality.
For example, the floor pan had to be completely rejigged to take the propeller shaft and live rear axle - and there was a large and deep front sub-frame, which was also used on the 1500…despite it being a FWD car.
All this investment and engineering prowess really does lend weight to the fact Triumph thought this was the car they’d do a lot more with.
As the 1500, Triumph saw that staying ‘as is’ - a bit like the 1300 before it.
Today, a fair few of the Triumph saloons survive. They’re hardy, they’re useful and they’re practical. But who owns a car like this? I hand over to Kev, a channel regular and the owner of this vehicle, who has owned 1300s, 1500s and Toledos since the 80s.
My mate had a 1500 . It was gutless . Then a leyland mechanic gave us a selection of needle valves for the SU carburettor. It was like a new engine install !
The Triumph Toledo was the car I learnt to drive and in which I passed my driving test . Very nostalgic!
Excellent review of an often overlooked classic. Great work Steph. Your car reviews just get better. 👏
Thanks so much! I appreciate that feedback so much x
@@idriveaclassic Love your channel Steph, i am hooked on your videos, love from the south west of France.
A beautiful classic! Great review.
I learned to drive in what would have been a Dolomite 1500 back in 1981. It was an R reg so registered in 1977. Had single front headlights and the same tail lights as the Dolomite Sprint. It also had the wonderful design feature of the segmented warning lights. It was light and responsive to drive. Your review takes me back over forty years. Better times.
I had a 1500 and a Dolomite SE in the eighties - as you say, a light and responsive car - could have been a sub BMW brand if it survived
Point to note is that the Toledo was built at Speke near Liverpool, the Dolimite and Stag bodyshells were also built and part trimmed at Speke but were then shipped down to Canley in Coventry to be finished off.
Always liked Triumph's, had a Dolomite years ago, wish I still had it.
We had a white one in the 70’s. We went all round the UK touring, I couldn’t open my window for all the triangle stickers of places we’d visit I stuck in n the inside lol.
Lovely to see this in good condition and the interior gave me ptsd of long long car journeys stuck to the seats with sweat in summer lol 👍🥂🤣😂
I passed my test in 1963 when I was nearly 18 with a Triumph Herald. I passed first time, partly due to the brilliant visibility and great quality controls and steering of the Herald.
I currently own a 1968 Triumph Herald! It is a right hand drive and was imported to the US sometime in the early 2000’s!
I loved the little Toledo... Was my favourite small saloon back in the day- and would still be my choice as a classic "daily" today... Looks like this one could do with a tail-pipe strap/bracket ! :)
Excellent to see a nice classic be lovely to see more classics on the road
My first car was a 1974 Pimento red Toledo.
We were given this car in 2001 and know it’s history from new up until the mid 2000s nice to know it’s still around👍
Hi Andrew! Please can you pop me an email to idriveaclassic///@///gmail//dot//com ~ I’d love to put you in touch with Kev! Warmest wishes, Steph x
I would totally daily this car.
Happy New Year everyone!
My Dad had one in the early 80's. It was a brown 2 door with a shaky gearstick and a broken rear screen heater. It was ace!
My first car, I had a red 1974 M reg. It was my grandad's car which he bought from new given to me after he stopped driving loved it. I wish I still had it
I had a beautiful new dark blue 1974 Toledo as a sales representative car for 2 years. That wee car could race around the country even when fully laden. She had front disc brakes that performed superbly. A cracker wee motor!
The Toledo was in competition with the Ford Escort Mk1 and Vauxhall Viva, and also the Allegro. By the 1970s the Datsun 120Y was getting popular.
In my family the cars were 1100's, 1300's and Maxi's. I used to look longingly at Triumphs.
My first serious girlfriend used to borrow her father's Triumph 2000 and we got up to all sorts of things in that car. Wonderful memories.
My first car was a brown Toledo 1300 great little car.
Great review! Love your videography and especially your detailed narration giving not only details on the car, but where it stood in the market and the historical context. Steph is the best! We never got these Triumph saloons in the US, but I sure wish we did. They’ve got a lot of character and super styling!
I've never driven a Toledo, but I like the way it looks.
Happy new year!
You are looking great, if I may say so!
Nice review - the car does have a lovely sound. Brings back childhood memories. 👌🏻
One of the nicest car I drove - I passed my test in one as well ! - brilliant car !
My dad had one in the seventies - not quite the dolomite, but a great little car !
My wife had one, after a Herald. It was a great car, easy to drive and good looking.
I've owned my Toledo for 31 years. Love it.
Steph, most Toledos had the 3 rail gearboxes. The single rail "Marina" gearbox was used on the Toledo from April 1975 (according to the Haynes manual) and on the later Dolomite 1300 and Dolomite 1500/1500HL. There's plenty of support from the Triumph Dolomite Club. Club Triumph and the TSSC also cater for the Toledo.
Thank you!
My dad had one. Same Colour, bought it off my uncle. Was a lovely car and I started to learn to drive in it. He eventually traded it in for a dark brown Allegro.
My uncle was a driving instructor in Stratford-on-Avon. He had a Toledo in the early 80's...JOP246P was a 2-door in dark green and had the dubious distinction of being the first manual car (my dad's Peugeot 504 was an auto) that I ever drove on L-plates in 1981 when I turned 17.
I wondered where this car had gone, I used to see it every day either being driven or parked outside it's owners house. Last few times I saw it, it looked a little neglected and in need of welding at the rear of the passenger side sill/wheerarch. Good to see that it's been saved.
Another fantastic video Steph! - Brilliantly summed up a great looking, fun to drive, classic car! :)
OMG Rimmer Bros! You’ve just reminded me I need to order a coil for the 1300. Speak to you tomorrow 😂
great video. My first car was a 1973 2door Toledo, same blue as the one in the video. I think I got about 150 pounds for it when
I left for Canada in 1988
The car I learned to drive in in the ‘70’s
Wow, what a lovely surprise. Never mind the car, Steph you look fantastic!
Well done for what ever pain you have been through.
They were a great little car. My father had a 1967 1300 which he allowed me to drive occasionally (get my girlfriend home after the midnight movie). It too was a great car to drive and pretty plush for its day. Unfortunately he destroyed it (and himself) in 1973. But your 1300 video brought back great memories 😁
Brings me back to my Toledo days. All the trim from the Dolomite Sprint guys the Toledo like a dream. All the holes are already there. The grab straps just bolt on as the holes are already inside the roof cloth. The seats fit perfectly as does the steering wheel. Beside the glove box, just behind the wood panel, is a circular cut out of the metal back plate the fits the beautiful Kienzel clock from the Dolomite. The Sprint wheels look great I on them. Add a pin stripe and a black vinyl roof and your Toledo looks like the coolest car in town. I also stuck on two little checkered flags just behind the front wheels. I loved my Toledo and think it's far smarter than the Triumph thirteen hundred. The rear end is nicer on the Toledo.
We certainly have some good hills around Huddersfield. I love the Triumphs of this era so greatly enjoyed this video. Well done.
hi Steph i passed my test in 1972 and could only afford old mini vans, but always dreamed of owning a triumph dolomite or toledo , for me it was the dashboard, love your new look
Bet you wish you still had an old mini van? You could sell it and buy a tesla!
I’m more of a classic bike guy but I’ve always enjoyed your videos and you are now looking even more amazing, best wishes for 2023!
Well done Stef , never really noticed these when they were common as a lad , now i want one , you should be in sales too .
You are so good at this! You are knowledgeable, a great communicator and stylish! Thank you for making these videos especially after you have told us how difficult it has been for you. I think you are remarkable. Onwards and upwards!
The good old days when manufacturers used the same engine for different models that made the trip down to the scrap yard for a engine much easier for example my dad had a mk2 transit with a Sierra engine in it but now getting the right parts for your euro box is hard work 👌👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I had a ‘N’ reg Mimosa Yellow 4 door Toledo in the early 90’s, great car.
My mum had a 1500 ‘72 one it was bomb proof just had some rust. I remember the radio used to cut out going around a corner.
tear to the eye of an old jock sadly, i haven't seen one like a old escort to never see them either 😢.
Interesting review as always . The old Triumph Herald was a fantastic car much under-rated . I only drove one Toledo but was hugely impressed particularly by the quality of the interior fittings . Good job Steph .
Excellent video - as ALWAYS 👏👏👍 I always had a soft spot for the underrated Toledo, especially the two door and the rock bottom Baseline models. Everybody wants the Dolomite Sprint, but the Toledo is just sweet 😊
Learned to drive in one....was the family car for many years. Fond memories. Thanks for the video!
great to see a new review! have missed your vids! your looking great by the way!
My first car was a 1968 triumph Herald second was an S reg Spitfire. Always fancied a 2000 or a stag really loved the style and had so much fun driving mine. The Toledo never really caught my eye but it does look like a nice classic to have some fun driving in.
My first car was a yellow Toledo. My grandad gave up driving and gifted it. I’ve got to say I wasn’t proud of it but it got me around.
I'm sure i drove past that very car coming back from Hereford this morning , funny thing is i wouldn't have even noticed it without having watched Stef's video yesterday .
Yes, before the Toledo I passed my test back in 1970 in a Triumph 1300. What I still think it strange though is how SEAT (VW Group) were able to use the 'Toledo' name from 1991 to around 2019.
Your videos are great Steph, and not just because I've never heard of a lot of the cars you test ('Mercan here) but because there is a real practicality in your assessments as to the ease of enjoyment of these neat cars. And just as a side note, you look great! I hope you got the results that you were looking for. And where some say "Why doesn't Triumph design a new engine?" the Stag and its V8 come up and say "Hold my beer." I saw a Stag a couple of weeks ago, only the second I've seen in my life. Very cool.
Thanks, great. I passed my test in one in 1974. I'd like to find one to buy.
You look fabulous! Brilliant videos, keep up the good work x
Lovely summary of the Toledo. I bought one as my first car twenty years ago and it was a laugh to drive. Less of a laugh when my girlfriend at the time got grease from the door striker plate on her suede jacket. And then the clutch burnt out driving her to university. The car was easier to repair than the relationship, alas...
What’s with all these clutch stories?! So many of you have had to do the clutch, Kev included
@@idriveaclassic I think my one had already had a hard life before teenage me abused it. I knew the clutch was slipping but turned the stereo up and ignored it!
Thanks Steph. Very interesting indeed. My garage man has phoned tonight to say all the work on my 67 Minor will be completed by next Friday. Yippee! I'll be on the road.
Thanks a lot for the video.
It amazed me at the time when the BL board let the Triumph name die in preference to the dull Morris's and super dull Austin's.
Triumphs always had a young, fun, sporty image, that Austin Morris never had, even in the 1930's.
Great video as always Steph, you have tempted me with the Toledo... Great to see Kev back on the channel and happy that he dailys this stunning little car.
Hello,
Excellent, video, pleased to hear that these Toledo's are still popular and sought after. You may not be surprised to read that, like you, I had a Triumph 1300 model, same as yours. It was previously owned by a Vicar and was lovely, with all the woodwork in it.
As you say, all the refinements were done away with on the Toledo, but thankfully retained on the Dolomite and Sprint versions. The Toledo also had a 1500 version as well. Later I owned a Triumph 2000 and later still and mote recently I owned a Triumph Spitfire. So I may look out for a reasonably priced Toledo 1500 or failing that a 1300. Thankyou for making and sharing this video and I wish you all the best for 2023.
Cheers, Jon Barnes.
I want one of these. My first ever car!!! 😍
Love your enthousiast story. I drive old cars for more than 40 years. It is tru you can enjoy such a car. And if you find your way even with more exclusive cars it is not a hell of a job to find spare parts. The specialisted garages and people from clubs are often very helpfully. But be carefull too buy a good starter. Beter buy a good one with a few problems than a cheap one with everything on the edge off replacing. Even with small children we went too the Pyreneeën for a holiday from Holland with a good maintanted car from 45 years old.
Nowadays I drive a Saab 99 from 1973. It had the upgraded motor of the 1850cc Dolomite. So there is still some connecties.
Great video, love a triumph Toledo 👍
Looking good Steph! Always hankerd after one of these, or a Dolomite. Good review. Screw the haters. x
Excellent review Stef, ignore the derogatory remarks about your dress you are doing fine. You must look to the future and,farm vehicles of which I’m sure you will succeed in future.😊
great video Steph, great little practical and cheap classic with true 70's style. I miss my '72 one; which was in Leyland s**t brown and called Basil. They're seriously underrated and a complete hoot to drive.😃😉😛🥰
Blimmey this is a rare gem thanks for sharing cheers Stephen 🍀✌️
My first car was a toledo ,and I will buy one again one day. Love it
My first car in 1985 was a Toledo 2 door 1300 (1971) and I paid £125 for it. Kept it for 9 months then sold it for £175. Then a 1976 1500 TC Dolomite (with vinyl roof!), Then a 1976 Sprint. Then finally before I met my wife a 1973 TR6 (triple SU). Loved my Triumphs. Only necessary tool kit - jack, brace, screwdriver, emery paper (for points) and a mallet for the starter motor. How motoring has changed.
The scenery is very nice. Thanks for the ride/drive along video. Cheers for the New Year.
G'day mate, I have only recently discovered your channel and I must say it's a bonza way to spend a few hours, I have been geeking out on ya channel a bit the last few days.
I also own a Triumph, an Australian built 1972 Triumph 2000, her name is Elizabeth, we have a lot of fun together.
I still have a lot of catching up to do watching your back catalogue, and finding a few episodes I want to see again.
Love ya work mate, I can't wait to see what's next.
Wonderful review and great to see one of these. Xx
I took my first driving lessons in one of these in the seventies, though I passed my test in a Mini.
The Toledo is a cracking little starter classic, easy to fix, drive and run and as you say not expensive. I saw a Herald 13/60 in the same colour the other day for £2200, it needed re-commisioning but looked really solid bodily and probably just needed a full service on the engine and bushes, brakes etc replacing, it would have made a great starter classic too. Happy New Year Steph.
Yeah I do love a herald too. I’d prob still go for the 1300 despite the input shaft nonsense
@@idriveaclassic I would also go for the 1300 or Toledo as I like having a car with 4 doors unless its only a 2 seater.
Looking good Steph! Interesting review. I had a 1300 FWD, 1500 FWD and 1500TC back in the late 70's and early 80's. Great cars, but all rusted for fun as most cars of that era did.
Yeah I think some cars still love to rot looking at modern motors
@@idriveaclassic yeah funny that you will often see a "Y" reg (2000) passat in immaculate condition and yet you see plenty of 2009 models with the wheel arches absolutely rotten?
Firstly WOW look at you girl your looking fantastic , 2nd my dad had the 1300 TOLIDO and I loved it yes the cheaper variant but I can still remember the smell of the new PVC seats ,
Great dress and car colour combo
Great video steph as usual keep up your brilliant work
Keep them coming, Steph.
Nice work Steph, brilliant as always 😊👍
Great video, Looking Stunning. The car isnt bad either 😉
Haha. I look ropey but thank you.
Lovely color match. 😀 Love all the detailed information you provide on this car.
My old Maths teacher use to drive one the same colour. The front looks just like his face! He had a toupee that would blow off in the wind!
Mazda Luce 1500 of 1966 also had it's interior designed in the same way even including this wood paneling except for 2 differences; it's steering wheel had a D-shaped metal half-ring on the lower side of the wheel for horn and it had column-shift gear lever.
I used to get a lift to work in a Dolomite in the mid 80s and I remember the thick shag pile carpet. Wonderful!
We bought my father in law's 1972 Toledo in 1976, the boot had already started to rust around the trim. It did come with all round drum brakes. It was a very easy car to drive, nice gearbox. It was under powered so I fitted a boy racer straight through exhaust; all that did was make it noisier. It was, however an upgrade from the converted mini van we had before.
Wow, stef you look fantastic xx
Happy new year Steph and your looking fabulous btw and ex review 🙂
Aww thank you!!!
Great video Steph. Like that wooden dashboard
Yeah me too. Feels robust!
My first two cars were a Triumph Herald, and a Triumph Toledo. Both great cars.
My friend's dad had one. He always left it in third. He started off in third & he cruised around in third.
The gearbox worked fine, he was just too lazy to change gear. So third it was.
Good lord 😂
@@idriveaclassic I know.
@liverush24 I can only imagine how that ground your gears( pun definitely intended). I know how you feel in a way. I have relatives in Italy. Every time I visit them, I can't stand how they drive. I know almost all the cars are diesel, but they short shift all the time....drives me batty. Like for cripes sake, wind it out a little. No car, diesel petrol should be shift shifted at barely 2k rpms.
@@redmr2na Agreed.
Thankyou for not only this production, but, your previous one especially. Amazing to listen to you from the heart. Take care as always. 🙏🙏🤜🤛👍🇬🇧x
My grandad had two Toledo's. Last one being a identical N reg french blue four door, which my parents had afterwards. Loved it. So I bought a cheap Tahiti blue Triumph Dolomite 1998cc 16 valve Sprint as you do for my first car which I had restored.
It’s mad how you get the bug. Familial buy in does so much for brands.
Great vid - thanks Steph
Brilliant video 😀👍👍👍
Your channel is always a nice place to be x
I'd completely forgotten about the Toledo. I guess those Stags, Dolomites and TRs just stuck in my memory more. Great video.
Thank you! Definitely an underrated classic
Good review Steph, you are certainly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about classic cars.