When the Vitesse 6 was introduced in May 1962, Standard-Triumph created something of a stir, with the unusual combination of an existing compact car (the Triumph Herald) with a larger six-cylinder power plant to produce an up-market model with better performance from a smoother, more torquey engine, which made for a more pleasurable car to drive.

The 2-door Triumph Herald (introduced in 1959) had sharp looks styled by the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, who also provided the revised front end for the Vitesse, which featured a slanted 4-headlamp design. The Vitesse also received a more luxurious interior in comparison to the Herald, with better seats, door trims and wooden door cappings to match the wooden dashboard. After 1963, a full range of Smiths instruments was fitted to the Vitesse dashboard. The engine used is a 1596 cc version of the traditional straight-6 motor derived from the larger cars in the Standard-Triumph range, developing a claimed 70 bhp.

The new Vitesse 6 sold very well for Triumph, receiving praise for its performance, fuel economy, interior design and tight turning circle. With over 30,000 manufactured by the time production ceased in September 1966, it was a better seller than the 2-litre Vitesse model introduced as its replacement.

We know that this Vitesse 6 Convertible was first registered, new in the UK, on 7 October 1965 but have no further documented history until it was purchased by its last owner in 2022. The car was used in France at the owner’s property periodically, prior to returning to the UK. Le Riche Automobile acquired the Vitesse earlier this year (2026).