In the late 1950's Dr. Salvatore Ruffino, the Triumph distributor for Italy, felt there was room in the growing postwar automotive market for a mildly upscale sports/GT car. Through his friend, Mr. Zambrini, the director of Autobianchi, Dr. Ruffino met with Zagato to discuss designs for a two seat coupé. The subsequent drawings did not meet his expectations and he decided to try a different stylist. Giovanni Michelotti produced several drawings and a prototype was commissioned. Initially, the cars were to be built by a firm named Romanazzi but Dr. Ruffino's deadline for production could not be accommodated. With Michelotti's close connections to Vignale, an arrangement was made to produce the cars there but on an assembly line owned by Dr. Ruffino.

It is assumed that after Ruffino's arrangement with Triumph fell through, the badging was changed to remove "Triumph" from the name (except for the mention on the rear wings). At what exact point this occurred, no one knows. #8 and #11 may have had the early badging.
It is also unclear exactly when Ruffino took over final assembly of the Italia. He arranged for his own staff and assembly line within the Vignale facilities. Although the bodies were always produced by Vignale. It was thought only the first 13 chassis were shipped directly to, and assembled completely by, Vignale. Recent information indicates that the first 27 chassis were delivered to Vignale. With the exception of #8 and #11, these additional chassis appear to follow standard production. It's not known if #8 and #11 came with the "show car" badging. Restorers have used the standard production badging on #8 but it does have the very early fuel tank seen in the show cars. #11 has no side marker lights and no badging (which were most likely left off in a repaint). #16 has the production badging and fuel tank but the side marker lights are mounted very high on the wings which makes it appear they might have been added or repositioned by the restorer. #22, #25 and #27 have the later "production" badging and standard location for the marker lights.

This particular Triumph Italia was discovered in the United States upon discovery it was found to be in deplorable state the most recent users of the car or predominantly rodents.
the painstaking restoration was needed to revive this car to its current condition.
the restoration was carried out by marque specialists in the Great Britain. No expense was spared to let this car relive its former glory. A large file of photographs including book of the whole process is available for inspection it's our premises point.

after completion we received #27 from the owner who didn't drive the car it is still in a new like state and its new proprietor will be able to make the first miles in the fully restored car.

if you are interested in a unique piece of automotive history without breaking the bank this Anglo Italian collaboration could be your tickets to concours events. we are more than happy to show you this beautiful triumph 2000 Italia.