1960 Triumph Vignale Italia 2000

This prime-for-restoration 1960 Triumph Italia was discovered in 2012 after many years in dry storage in Madrid. It´s history is being investigated, but it appears that the car was registered new in Madrid in 1960. It presents with less than 70,000kms and the interior shows little wear and tear. The mileage cannot be proved, but light usage and a benevolent climate have helped to preserve the car well by the standards of 1960s low-volume Italian coach-built series. There is some localised corrosion, but the chassis is very good and the unique and difficult-to-find trim features of the car are present and correct.

The car is Vignale build no 030 from a series of 329. It is complete in all details and has clearly never been taken apart, although there was a re-spray in a lighter blue many years ago. The stance is good, panel gaps are good and this outstanding originality will be of great benefit in restoring the car to the concours standard that it demands.

The first owner of such a car would have paid huge import duties and would have required influence in Franco´s Spain to get an import permit at all. Such wealthy families often just parked cars up when the novelty wore off, as appears to have been the case with this Italia.

This is believed to be the only example to have been imported to Spain and carries its original Madrid registration. Note that the car´s registration is no longer valid in Spain. Silverstone Auctions will alert HMRC through their NOVA system of the car's existence, helping pave the way should the car be registered in the UK upon sale. We strongly recommend that overseas buyers check local regulations to understand the process of registration where you are.