Triumph Toledo

Triumph Toledo
Triumph Toledo 4-door saloon
Overview
Manufacturer	British Leyland
Production	1970–1976 113,294 1300 cc made 5,888 1500 cc made
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1296/1493 cc straight-4
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97 in (2,464 mm)
Length	156 in (3,962 mm)
Width	62 in (1,575 mm)
Height	54 in (1,372 mm)
Curb weight	1,960 lb (890 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Triumph 1300
Successor	Triumph Dolomite

The Triumph Toledo is a compact car which was produced by British Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1976.

The Toledo was introduced in August 1970 as a cheaper version of the Triumph 1300, which was at the same time replaced by the Triumph 1500. The Toledo, like the front-wheel drive 1500, came with a new split grille at the front, but instead of the 1500s twin round headlamps, it had single rectangular units set in a grey plastic grille. The rear end was like that of the 1300 except for the tail lights, which were of a simpler, flat-faced design.

The biggest change for the Toledo was a move to rear-wheel drive and live rear axle (still with coil springs), in the interest of simplicity and low production costs. The interior was also cheaper, with wood confined to a dashboard consisting of a simple plank with holes drilled for the quite basic instrumentation but the interior was a cut above most other small cars at a time when black plastic was commonplace.

Initially, the Toledo was only available as a two-door saloon with the 1300 cc engine of 58 bhp (43 kW) net. Drum brakes were fitted all round and there was no overdrive or automatic option available.

In March 1971 a 4-door "special export" version was launched at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring a 1500 cc engine in single and twin carburettor "TC" form producing 61 and 64 bhp (45 and 48 kW) net, respectively. From late August 1971 the four-door model was also available on the home market. The four-door Toledo featured the same side body pressings as the Triumph 1300. The interior furnishings were in most respects indistinguishable between the two versions, but buyers of the four-door car received two extra ashtrays in each of the extra doors.Radial ply tyres were specified in place of the cross-plies offered on the two-door car, compensating for the additional 50 kg (approx) of weight involved in installing the extra doors.

The two-door model differed very little from the more popular four-door model in overall appearance, the two-door featured non-wraparound front and rear bumpers (although this would change in 1973 to full wraparound bumpers), whilst the four-door featured wraparound bumpers from the start. Two front bumper under-riders were fitted to the two-door model; however these were deleted on later cars from around late 1972 / early 1973.