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Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:05 pm
by grifterkid
Hello to you all...
I just wondered if any of you good people out there could help me? I just wanted to know what the rarest options are/were on the 2000 range? Does anybody out there own a 2000 (of any vintage) with all the options?
It would be very interesting to find out about this. All the best...
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:41 pm
by johnnydog
Our Triumphs really preceded the days when options were available - you bought a 2000 or 2.5 and that was exactly what you got! However, on later Mk1's, one factory option was the heated rear window. It wasn't like the Mk2 hrw - it was very similar to the heated front screen currently available on Fords and Range Rovers - very fine vertical elements which were difficult to see except on close inspection. They were only in the centre section of the screen, but were very efficient. The other option was inertia reel seat belts as opposed to static, but these may well have been a dealer fit rather than factory. Later Mk1's also had the option of 175 /13 radial tyres instead of 640 /13 cross plys. On Mk 2's, the same seatbelt fitment option was available, as was the option of power steering. There also was the seat trim option...leather cloth ( not leather!) or bri nylon and earlier Mk2's had the option of part leather cloth with the centres in bri nylon available. I do know that on the the later 2500S models, the option of clear window glass was available instead of the standard tinted glass, but I'm not aware of any 2500S cars with this option fitted! Radios were dealer fitted. There may have been more options, but the best source of info of any options would be the sales brochures for each respective model. Hope this helps!
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:47 am
by englishbull
Another thing that was optional extra on the MK1 PI's was overdrive................and just recently found this out.
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:54 am
by Cheesy
johnnydog wrote:However, on later Mk1's, one factory option was the heated rear window. It wasn't like the Mk2 hrw - it was very similar to the heated front screen currently available on Fords and Range Rovers - very fine vertical elements which were difficult to see except on close inspection. They were only in the centre section of the screen, but were very efficient.
Our Mk1 has one of those, but I'm guessing it was fitted as a replacement later as it doesn't appear to have ever been wired in. When it was fitted as a factory option, where would the switch have been?
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 2:02 pm
by grifterkid
I suppose you're right there j-d, options weren't really what sold cars back when the Triumph 2000/2.5/2500 was in production...
I imagine that although there may not have been that many 'factory fit' options there were rather more 'dealer fit' options to be had?!
I would buy this wonderful looking brochure that I found on eBay but at £40.00 I shall give it a miss I think...!!!

Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:32 pm
by CAR
englishbull wrote:Another thing that was optional extra on the MK1 PI's was overdrive................and just recently found this out.
Manual transmission full stop seems to have been an option on mk1 PIs Lee
Colin
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:31 pm
by johnnydog
Regarding these early heated rear windows, the broad element adhesive type with the trailing wiring that disappeared under the parcel shelf were quite conmmon, but this type was an accessory rather than an option. The element in the type I'm refering to were bonded to the interior surface of the glass - not laminated, as you could feel the actual elements. The switch was mounted on the underside of the dash panel, to the right of the steering column. Yes, I did forget to mention that overdrive was also a factory option on both later Mk1 and Mk2's, and I suppose specifing auto transmission was classed as an option too!
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 12:39 pm
by torque2me
johnnydog wrote:
Our Triumphs really preceded the days when options were available - you bought a 2000 or 2.5 and that was exactly what you got!
[cut]
Yeah, bang on. In those days they had models which basically had installed a number of any option list which would be made today. Thus we had 1500, 1500TC, 1500HL, 2500TC and 2500S. Other companies (Rootes) might have had 1200L, 1200SL and 1200GSL
The 2500TC had different dash instrumentation than the S so that simplified production, both in cost terms and task terms. So electing to buy a TC over the S made one firm in selecting a sub-set from possible fitments (options). There was still a small list that a few options could be chosen from such as overdrive, alloy wheels, tinted glass (this one would be special build i.e. the factory would alter the spec but would not offer any discount) and such like.
The above way was a lot simpler than to-day. In about 2002/3 I looked at getting a Rover/MG 75/ZT and went away from the showroom dizzy. Is leather better than alcantara and what is alcantara? What wheels options would look best, what paint options would be best and so forth.
Ford are supposed to be the masters of the option list for a particular model but again it looks so complicated (and option list pricing is higher) that I doubt if I could do an easy cost analysis for model/extra option/value for money to make me feel I had got a good deal.
Others will probably post a fuller list of what could be ordered from the factory or dealer.
Kev
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 4:24 pm
by johnnydog
Options in modern cars basically fall into two catagories -
Audi for example supply the basic car, and then the initial purchaser specifies what options he wants i.e leather, sat nav, light pack, tech pack, heated seats etc etc. Theoretically, you can make you car reasonably individual...
On the other hand, Vauxhall for example, offer different spec levels, ie. GLS, CD, CDX, Comfort, Design and Elite for example, and the list goes on... therefore if you bought an a CDX you knew exactly what spec / equipment you were getting. However, thats not entirely true, as lower spec models could be ordered with a higher trim level, such as leather or sat nav. But at least you had a reasaonable idea what spec each model was.
I only quote Audi and Vauxhall as I have first hand knowledge of both........
Anyway, now back to Triumphs..........
Re: Rare/desirable options...
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 4:53 pm
by Alan Chatterton
But Audi still offer basis models with different spec. SE, Techniq, S line etc. but then you have to add on.
So do Mercedes. SE, Avantgarde, Business edition, Sport. Then add on packs.
I've got an Avantgarde with no options and it ticks all my boxes. Drew the line at £4k for sat nav, stick to my trusty tomtom!
Anyway, back to Triumphs!!!