Performance Review: Triumph Herald 1200 - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Triumph Herald Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Triumph Herald 1200 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Triumph Herald has a 1147cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Herald shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Herald's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 813 kgs (1792 lbs) this makes the Triumph Herald 1200 in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Triumph Herald shares the same bhp with the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 1147cc 8V St4 engine produces 39 bhp (29 kW) @ 4500 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (52 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 65 lb-ft (88.1 Nm) @ 2250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Triumph Herald you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (71.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Triumph Herald.

The Triumph Herald has a Power to weight ratio of 47.9 bhp per ton and 79.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 Herald competing with the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (71.8 bhp per ton) or the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (71.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Triumph Herald generating around 79.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (104.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1952 Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe (104.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 28.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 29.6 secs, this made the Triumph Herald 1200 as fast as the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the This Triumph Herald 1200 is also faster than the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Herald and the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS

When talking about the performance of the Triumph Herald on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 22.8 secs @ 60.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS (22.74 secs), the 1974 AMC Matador X Coupe (22.82 secs), and the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed (22.83 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Triumph Herald 1200 has a maximum speed of 74mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 Herald equals the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (85 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 then how about the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (85 mph), the 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 (86 mph), or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (87 mph).

Related Links:

1961 Herald Rivals List.

A Brief History of Triumph

Car Comparison