Траймф Херальд: История и особенности модели

The Standard Pennant's 4 cylinder 948 cc OHV Standard SC engine and 4 speed manual gearbox was used with synchromesh on the top three gears and remote gear shift and driving the rear wheels. Most of the engine parts were previously used in the Standard 8/10. The rack and pinion steering afforded the Herald a tight 25 feet (8 m) turning circle. At the front coil and double wishbone front suspension was fitted which was in time directly copied by such as Lotus, the Chevrolet Cheetah and Reliant. The rear suspension, in a new departure for Triumph, offered "limited" independent springing via a single transverse leaf spring bolted to the top of the final drive unit and swing axles. Instruments were confined to a single large speedometer with fuel gauge in the saloon (a temperature gauge was available as an option) on a dashboard of grey pressed fibreboard. The coupé dashboard was equipped with speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges, together with a lockable glovebox. The car had loop pile carpeting and heater as standard. A number of extras were available including twin SU carburettors, leather seats, a wood veneered dashboard, Telaflo shock absorbers and paint options. In late 1958, prototype cars embarked on a test run from Cape Town to Tangiers. An account of the journey was embellished by PR at the time. However, only minor changes were deemed necessary between the prototype and production cars. The new car was launched at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 22 April 1959 but was not an immediate sales success, partly owing to its relatively high cost, approaching £700 (including 45 per cent Purchase Tax). In standard single carburettor form the car was no better than average in terms of performance. A saloon tested by The Motor magazine in 1959 was found to have a top speed of and could accelerate from 0– in 31.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of was recorded. The rear suspension was criticised as yielding poor handling at the extremes of performance though the model was considered easy to drive with its good vision, light steering (smallest turning circle of any production car) and controls, and ease of repair. A Herald S variant was introduced in 1961 with a lower equipment level and less chrome than the Herald. One month after the release of the Herald 1200, a 3 door estate was added to the range. The Courier was powered by the 1147 cc engine.

An upmarket version, the Herald 12/50, was offered from 1963 to 1967. was fitted with a fine barred aluminium grille.

In October 1967 the range was updated with the introduction at the London Motor Show of the Herald 13/60. Production included a 12/50 model, which unlike its British namesake was offered in both saloon and coupé body styles. without Herald badges.

A Triumph Herald was used at the 2012 London Olympic Games during the beginning of the closing ceremony when cars were paraded around the stadium. In the 1960s based TV drama Heartbeat, Dr Kate Rowan drove a cactus green Herald from series 1 until series 5. In the TV comedy series Last of the Summer Wine, Edie drove a red Herald convertible, restored by her husband Wesley. A Herald converted to a sailing boat appeared in 2006 (series 8, episode 3) and 2007 (series 10, episode 2) on TV series Top Gear. It was driven and sailed by presenter James May. A white Herald 1360 convertible was driven by the actor Paul McGann in the 1990 film Paper Mask, when he played a hospital porter who decided to impersonate a doctor. There is an affectionate portrayal of a Triumph Herald Estate car in the novel Room for Us by Roger Harvey (2020, ). David Niven drove a beaten up Herald convertible to escape from terrorists in the 1975 movie Paper Tiger. In the Luann comic strip, Mrs. DeGroot tells her children that she was first attracted to their father because he drove a blue Triumph Herald convertible.

The Equipe was a car produced by Bond, using the Triumph Herald chassis and components. Having a separate body mounted to a chassis, the Triumph Herald provides a sound basis for a kit car. Examples include:
Sussita 12 – (1968–1970) A car made in Israel, manufactured by Israeli Autocars Company Ltd. The Susita 12 station wagon, and sedan (named Carmel), used the Triumph Herald 12/50 engine. Sussita 13/60 – (1970–1975) An Israeli made car, manufactured by Israeli Autocars Company Ltd. Manufactured as 2 doors station wagon, sedan (named Carmel Ducas), and pick up versions. Built on the Triumph Herald's chassis, and used the Herald 13/60 engine and gearbox. The "T car" by New Zealand company Alternative Cars is a MGTF "replica", which, although not an exact copy of the MGTF, has some of the spirit of the original. About 250 were made and they have a high survival rate. It has its body made of fibreglass with a steel bonnet. Early versions of the Marlin used Herald components. Gentry Cars – again, loosely based on the MG TF. Spartan Cars – a traditional styled open 2 seater. Moss cars could be based on either Triumph or Ford components. The German designed and built amphibious Amphicar used the same 1147cc engine as the Herald, and though not designed by Michelotti, has a strong family resemblance.