The Triumph Herald was a British car built between 1959 and 1971 during which time it sold more than half a million units and was used as the basis for a number of concurrent and subsequent models from this manufacturer.

The Herald was produced in order to offer motorists a moderately sporty and relatively affordable two door vehicle which would be a suitable replacement for the outgoing generation of Triumphs produced earlier in the decade.

It was designed in Italy and was initially intended to be sold under the Standard banner, but once it became clear that Triumph was an increasingly respected brand this plan was dropped.

The car was launched with a price tag of Ј700 and a top speed of 70mph. A 0-60 time of 31 seconds was about average for the time and it did not exactly set the world alight in terms of critical acclaim or sales.

The Herald 1200 was launched in the early 1960s after a successful takeover by Leyland Motors Ltd, with the larger engine giving the new model a bit more power than its predecessor.

The Herald was encountering stiff competition at around this time, with rival models like the Mini making the market far tougher than it had been a few years earlier. However, the Herald managed to expand its market share thanks in part to popular models like the four seat convertible.

In 1963 the Herald 12/50 arrived, with a 51bhp engine and disc brakes at the front to add to its sportier image.

Four years later the Herald range was revised once more with the arrival of the 13/60 which first appeared in 1967.

Saloon, convertible and estate iterations were produced and the 1.3 litre engine delivered 61bhp to give it more power than ever.

The Herald was killed off in the early 1970s because by this point it had become too expensive to produce without having to sell it at a loss, despite the fact that it was still moderately popular in the UK.

Its chassis was used in various other Triumph cars, including the iconic Spitfire, so it was influential long after its demise.