1970 Triumph 1500 Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Triumph 1500 from 1970 to 1977 typically weighs around 950 to 1,000 kg (2,094 to 2,205 lbs) depending on the specific trim and additional equipment. This relatively light curb weight contributes positively to the car's overall agility and handling characteristics. Moreover, a lighter vehicle tends to achieve better fuel economy, especially given its modest engine size—a 1.5-liter inline-four—which was designed for efficiency and reliability rather than high performance. The balance between weight and power allows for reasonable acceleration and driving dynamics for its class.

The Triumph 1500's interior is designed to comfortably accommodate four to five passengers, with adequate headroom and legroom for a car of its size. Although compact by modern standards, the car's relatively tall roofline (around 1,360 mm or 53.5 inches) contributes to a spacious feel inside the cabin. Compared to other small sedans from the early 1970s, the Triumph 1500 offers respectable passenger space, balancing compact exterior dimensions with practical interior usability. Its sedan body style focuses on providing reasonable comfort for daily driving and commuting.

Yes, the Triumph 1500 fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. With its length of about 4,062 mm (approximately 4.06 meters or 159.8 inches), width at 1,626 mm (1.63 meters or 64.0 inches), and height around 1,360 mm (1.36 meters or 53.5 inches), the car is smaller than typical garage spaces, which often measure around 6 meters (20 feet) in length and 3 meters (10 feet) in width. This makes the Triumph 1500 easy to park inside and maneuver within most residential garages without issues.

The Triumph 1500 features a fuel tank capacity of about 45 liters (approximately 12 gallons US). Given its 1.5-liter engine and lightweight design, the car generally offers fuel economy in the range of 9 to 11 liters per 100 kilometers (around 21 to 26 miles per gallon US). These figures are competitive for small sedans of the early 1970s, focusing on efficiency for urban and moderate highway driving conditions. Owners appreciated the balance of adequate driving range with fuel efficiency during its production period.

The Triumph 1500 represents a modest evolution in size compared to some earlier Triumph sedans like the Triumph Herald and 1300. It is generally more compact and lighter, which was part of a strategy to create a practical, fuel-efficient family car. Compared to its predecessor models, the 1500 offers slightly better interior ergonomics and modernized styling while maintaining manageable exterior dimensions for urban use. The shift from previous models also included mechanical improvements and enhanced ride comfort, but in terms of overall size, the 1500 remained compact and easy to handle.

The Triumph 1500 competes closely with other compact family sedans of the 1970s like the Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Viva. Dimensionally, it is slightly shorter and narrower than the average Cortina, which often measured closer to 4.3 meters in length and 1.7 meters in width. Compared to the Vauxhall Viva, the 1500 is similar in length but offers a different balance of styling and ride characteristics. In terms of features, the Triumph emphasizes British engineering with a focus on lightness and agility, whereas the Cortina prioritized spaciousness and engine variety. Overall, the 1500 provides a compact, efficient alternative with classic British sedan charm.

The Triumph 1500 sedan offers a boot capacity typical for compact sedans of its era, generally around 300 liters (approximately 10.6 cubic feet). This space is sufficient for everyday needs such as groceries, luggage for short trips, and other cargo. The trunk design prioritizes accessible storage, though it is not as voluminous as larger family sedans or estates. The emphasis was on a balanced package of passenger comfort and reasonable luggage capacity, making the car well-suited for urban and suburban use.

With an overall height near 1,360 mm (53.5 inches), the Triumph 1500 has a relatively low profile compared to modern cars, which can enhance aerodynamic efficiency and offer a sportier driving stance. Its ground clearance is roughly in the 130-150 mm range (5.1-5.9 inches), sufficient for typical road conditions and urban driving but not suitable for rough off-road terrain. The combination of height and ground clearance makes the car practical and stable for everyday usage while maintaining ease of entry and exit for passengers.

The external width of the Triumph 1500 is about 1,626 mm (64.0 inches), and the wheelbase measures approximately 2,438 mm (96 inches). A narrower width keeps the car agile and easy to navigate through tight streets and parking spaces, while the wheelbase length supports stable handling and contributes to reasonable legroom inside the cabin for both front and rear passengers. This combination results in a compact yet practical sedan that balances maneuverability with occupant comfort, making it well-suited as a daily driver during its production years.