A brief history of Gloria models - 1933 to 1938
Between 1933 and 1938 Triumph made a large and confusing range of Gloria sporting saloons, coupes, tourers, 2-seater sports cars, drophead coupes and golfer's coupes. All these Glorias, apart from the final two models ( 1.5-Litre Saloon and Fourteen Six-Light Saloon) were powered by 4 or 6 cylinder Coventry Climax overhead inlet and side exhaust valve designed engines (modified & built by Triumph). From August 1934 to 1936 the Gloria range included 'Gloria Vitesse' models (not to be confused with later Vitesses) which were up-rated, engine & equipment, versions of the equivalent Gloria and slightly different bodywork in the case of some saloons..
August 1933 to July 1934 4-cylinder Glorias- 9.53 h.p. 1,087cc 4-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
These 4-cylinder Glorias were all 9.53 h.p. models apart from the Gloria Monte Carlo Tourer which when introduced in January 1934 had a larger capacity 1,232 cc 10.8 h.p engine (but could be ordered with the 9.53 h.p. unit if required). They all had twin carburettors apart from the Gloria Ten Saloon which had a single carburettor. We estimate that 1,700 4-cylinder 1933/4 Glorias were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1933 to July 1934 4-cylinder Gloria Models | ||||
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| Gloria Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Ten Saloon |
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| Ten Special Saloon |
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| Competition Tourer |
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| Speed Model Tourer |
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| Monte Carlo Tourer |
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August 1933 to July 1934 6-cylinder Glorias- 12.95 h.p. 1,476cc 6-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
All these 6-cylinder Glorias had twin Solex downdraught carburettors apart from the Gloria Six Saloon which had a single Solex carburettor. We estimate that 500 6-cylinder 1933/4 Glorias were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1933 to July 1934 6-cylinder Glorias | ||||
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| Gloria Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Six Saloon |
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| Six Special Saloon |
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| Six Speed Model Tourer |
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August 1934 to July 1935 4-cylinder Glorias- 10.8 h.p. 1,232cc 4-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
These 4-cylinder Glorias were all 10.8 h.p. models apart from the Gloria Ten Saloon (a 'facelift' version of the 1933/4 Gloria Ten Saloon) which continued with the smaller capacity 1,087 cc 9.53 h.p engine. Glorias had single S.U. carburettors and Gloria Vitesses had twin S.U. carburettors. Visual differences from the preceding Glorias included a restyled radiator surround with a black honeycomb grille (instead of the vertical painted slats) and smaller hubbed wire wheels. We estimate that 2,000 4-cylinder 1934/5 Glorias were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1934 to July 1935 4-cylinder Glorias | ||||
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| Gloria Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Ten Saloon |
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| Saloon |
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| Vitesse Saloon |
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| Coupe |
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| Vitesse Coupe |
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| Six Light Saloon |
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| Vitesse Six Light Sal |
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| Tourer |
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| Vitesse Tourer |
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| Monte Carlo Tourer |
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| Southern Cross |
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| Golfers Coupe |
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| Vitesse Golfers Coupe |
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August 1934 to July 1935 6-cylinder Glorias- 15.72 h.p. 1,991cc 6-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
These 6-cylinder Glorias had single Solex carburettors and Gloria Vitesses had twin Solex (late models had S.U.) carburettors. Visual differences from the preceding Glorias included a restyled radiator surround with a black honeycomb grille (instead of the vertical painted slats) and smaller hubbed wire wheels. We estimate that 800 6-cylinder 1934/5 Glorias were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1934 to July 1935 6-cylinder Glorias | ||||
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| Gloria Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Saloon |
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| Vitesse Saloon |
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| Coupe |
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| Vitesse Coupe |
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| Flow Free Saloon |
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| Vitesse Six Light Sal |
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| Tourer |
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| Vitesse Tourer |
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| Monte Carlo Tourer |
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| Southern Cross |
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| Drophead Coupe |
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| Golfers Coupe |
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| Vitesse Golfers Coupe |
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August 1935 to July 1937 4-cylinder Glorias- 10.8 h.p. 1,232cc 4-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
These 4-cylinder Glorias (now renamed Gloria 'Twelve' even though the power output remained 10.8 h.p.!) had single S.U. carburettors and Gloria Vitesses had twin S.U. carburettors. Visual differences from the preceding Glorias included a restyled front wings and running boards (now two piece instead of the single front wing & running board panels) and vertical radiator grille slats instead of the black honeycomb. Gloria 'Twelves' produced in 1937 were the last Triumphs to be powered by the Coventry Climax designed engines. 2 Gloria Southern Crosses have been recorded and survive with Triumph's 1767 cc o.h.v. engine fitted from new and several club members have successfully made this relatively easy conversion to their Southern Crosses. We estimate that 3,400 4-cylinder 1935/7 Gloria Twelves were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1935 to July 1937 4-cylinder Glorias | ||||
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| Gloria Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Saloon |
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| Vitesse Saloon |
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| Vitesse Short Saloon |
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| Six Light Saloon |
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| Vitesse Tourer |
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| Southern Cross |
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| Drophead Coupe |
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| Vitesse D/H Coupe |
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| Golfers Coupe |
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| Vitesse Golfers Coupe |
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August 1935 to July 1936 6-cylinder Glorias- 15.72 h.p. 1,991cc 6-cylinder overhead inlet & side exhaust valve engine with free-wheel pre-selection 4-speed gearbox.
These Gloria 2-Litres (renamed from Gloria Six) had single S.U. carburettors and Gloria 2-Litre Vitesses had twin S.U. carburettors. Visual differences from the preceding Glorias included a restyled front wings and running boards (now two piece instead of the single front wing & running board panel) and vertical radiator grille slats instead of the black. We estimate that less than a 1,000 1935/6 Gloria 2-Litres were produced and the models offered were:
| August 1935 to July 1936 6-cylinder Glorias | ||||
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| Gloria 2 Litre Model | Price | No. Recorded | No. Survive | No. with original style bodywork |
| Vitesse Saloon |
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| Vitesse Short Saloon |
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| Six Light Saloon |
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| Vitesse Six Light Sal |
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| Vitesse Tourer |
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| Drophead Coupe |
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| Vitesse D/H Coupe |
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Early 1937 to July 1937 Gloria 1.5 Litre Saloon - 11.81 h.p. 1,496cc 4-cylinder overhead valve engine with 4-speed synchromesh gearbox.
This was the first of 2 Gloria models to use the new Triumph overhead valve engine. Its bodywork was almost the same as the proceeding Gloria Twelve Saloon, but now had a full width rear bumper (instead of the quarter bumpers) and a more rounded radiator grille surround (as used on Vitesses). It was priced at £285 and was the cheapest model available in 1937. We estimate that 200 were produced. We have recorded 15 with 3 surviving with their original style bodywork.
August 1937 to July 1938 Gloria Fourteen Six-Light Saloon - 13.95 h.p. 1,767cc 4-cylinder overhead valve engine with 4-speed gearbox.
This was the last Triumph to bare the Gloria name. Apart from the radiator badge its external appearance is identical to the Vitesse 14/60 Six-Light Saloon produced alongside this model. The only difference appears that the level of interior fittings was lower than the Vitesse. It was priced at £298 compared with the Vitesse's £318. We estimate that 500 were produced. We have recorded 15 with 5 surviving, of which 3 retain their original style bodywork.
