MEET THE OWNER – JOHN NEWTON AND HIS TRIUMPH ACCLAIM CD TRI-MATIC

John Newton’s Triumph is a prime example of one of the most crucial British Leyland products of the 1980s. He encountered the Acclaim when he was “just looking for something to restore - but they are addictive!”.

This is especially so for the top-of-the-range CD with its headlamp washers, tinted glass, velour upholstery, and even electric windows as standard – all for just £5,576.

There was also a rear seat ski-hatch, even if the average owner was more likely to holiday in Weymouth than the Alps.

Small wonder that BL cast aside all forms of modesty and referred to the ultimate Acclaim as ‘magnificent’ and possessing ‘the very best of everything’.

There was ‘a wealth of executive car luxuries’ and even the chance to specify air-conditioning as an extra – an option beyond the dreams of your average Vauxhall Chevette GL owner.

The vehicle Acclaim made its bow in October 1981 as the first Anglo-Japanese car - and a crucial new light-medium family car from Leyland.

At that time, the Maxi had already ceased production; the last Allegro would leave the factory in 1982 while the Morris Ital was, with the best will in the world, starting to look dated. Nor should it be forgotten that in the very early 1980s, BL’s slogan was ‘fighting back’.

From the perspective of a fleet buyer, the Triumph suffered from a very compact and bijou cabin.

The wheelbase was both shorter than the Allegro and a mere three inches longer than the Metro, resulting in a four, definitely not a five-seater.

Some marque die-hards also grumbled about its very Honda styling, although British Leyland stated that only 30% of the Acclaim’s ex-works value was Japanese. But, in other respects, it was the perfect car for its intended customer base – and one launched at the right time.

All Acclaims had five-speed manual transmission as standard, but the Newton Triumph is equipped with Tri-Matic, a £299 extra. BL promised a ‘clutchless transmission system’ with a ‘Manual flick change facility for power and economy’.

In essence, it was a re-badged Hondamatic semi-automatic box, which was a form of gear change already becoming unusual by the 1980s. John remarks: “Shall we say it is ‘different’, but very good really; it is kind of like an auto and a manual.”

The Newton Acclaim is also a prime and very rare example of the Series 2 version. The second-generation models debuted in 1983 and boasted an electronic digital clock to impress the neighbours further.

B 717 SDF dates from 1984, making it one of the last to depart Cowley before the introduction of the SD3-Series Rover 200 later that year.

At one time, Acclaim sales amounted to almost three per cent of the total UK car market, but today just 16 CDs remain on the road - https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/triumph_acclaim_cd.

And that is a great pity as it really was ‘that was ‘Totally Equipped to Triumph’ -

With Thanks To: John Newton