Triumph engine colours

Cast-iron pushrod four designed by the Standard Motor Company and used in the Herald, Spitfire, Triumph 1300, Toledo and Dolomite 1300/1500 until 1980. No factory or club document stating its colour was reachable for this draft, so the record rests on restorers who have stripped the engines; they agree on black and argue about the sheen.

The Standard Vanguard's wet-liner four, tuned for the TR2 in 1953 and carried through the TR3, TR3A, TR3B, TR4 and TR4A. Owners say black and argue about the sheen; one says his TR4A block is green, and the same engine wore grey in a Ferguson tractor, which is where some of the confusion comes from.

Cast-iron pushrod six developed from the Standard SC four and fitted to the Vitesse, GT6, 2000 and 2500 saloons, TR5 and TR6 between 1962 and 1977. Owners agree the block was black and the rocker cover silver; the club's own engine rebuild guide tells you to paint the block and never says what colour.