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 hp Six-Light Saloon, 1937-1938) were powered by Coventry Climax-designed overhead inlet and side exhaust valve engines, modified and built under licence by Triumph. The Coventry Climax engines consisted of 1087 or 1232-cc four-cylinders and 1467 or 1991-cc six-cylinders.
The chassis came in two lengths, with an extra 8in (203mm) 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 12in (305mm) 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.
The first models in the Gloria range were a 9.53hp (tax horsepower, 1087cc) four-cylinder and a 12.95hp six-cylinder model of 1467cc, introduced in August 1933.[4] After about 1,850 had been built, the four-cylinder's engine was increased to 1232cc 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 1991cc and 15.7hp at the same time.[4] The new Six produces 55bhp (41kW) at 4,500rpm.
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 engines and additional equipment. In the case of some of the Gloria Vitesse saloons, they also received slightly different bodywork. The Vitesse Six produced a claimed 65bhp (48kW) at 4,750rpm.
Gloria Southern Cross
1935 Gloria Southern Cross (10.8 HP four-cylinder)
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 96in (2,438mm) for 1232 cc, four-cylinder models and 104in (2,642mm) for the 1991 sixes.[1]
Scale models and die-cast models
Lansdowne Models introduced a 1:43 scale model of the 1935/1936 Gloria Vitesse Sports Saloon in 2008.
.jpg)
