Persistent Work Triumphs

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2010-04-09T18:55:00.001+01:00

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Herald Cruise Control & Ferraris

2010-04-09T18:54:00.000+01:00

I borrowed Jenny the Herald from Garth just after it's last MOT, to take to the TSSC Isle of Wight Camping Weekend. It seems that the MOT is now due in two weeks - Oops! I did mean to give it back...

As it's not been out much in the cold, I took it for a 40 mile round trip today to see if anything was obviously amiss. Alarmingly the throttle has started sticking - which means that every junction turned into a rev-tastic take-off - especially since my route was through all the lovely quiet local villages! Cruise control was nice on the straights though...

So I've got to have a look at that, see why the battery isn't keeping a charge (gonna get a TSSC club shop battery conditioner) and look at the horn contacts as that seems a bit intermittent and then off to the local MOT station before Drive it Day (planning on joining TSSC Derwent Valley's run at Newark, ending in Mablethorpe).

Whilst at my mates, a Ferrari 430 (new, red, shiney - about as much as I know about modern sport cars) pulled up opposite. The occupiers immediately headed over to admire the Herald. I offered to swap the cars (sorry Garth) and he only came back with "I might be interested if it was a Vitesse, my Dad had one of those". MUST get the Vitesse on the road and hunt him down again - I know where he lives!!!

Now on the search for a replacement chassis. Hoping for a 13/60 as I think I'll go swing-spring rather than dodgy donuts to save the expense of maintenance. Might even have a shiney CV coversion kit from Canleys...

A new job means more money, and half a chance of being able to afford the rebuild now!

I want that one!

2010-01-31T17:20:00.002Z

I haven't got a decent chassis yet, but I'm already hankering for flared arches...

Underseal Blues...

2010-01-30T14:31:00.002Z

I can't believe it's been five months since my last post!

Work and volunteer commitments, combined with cold weather and a general lack of enthusiasm has meant that little has been done. It's taken roughly two hours for every bolt to be coaxed out, and a lack of garage time has meant that this work has taken months.

A couple of times I looked at alternative cars on eBay and considered selling Blu for parts - although nothing really appealed as much as a Vitesse - and nice ones are still a bit pricey (I'm still earning 50% less than a year ago).

Finally, all the bolts have been removed, and I have spent a couple of hours removing underseal and seeing just how bad it really is.

Once I've got the flakey and oily bits removed - I'm looking to get it sand blasted and have contacted a couple of local companies to get prices etc.

So, with a bit of luck, it should be ready for welding in the next few weeks and then the rebuild can commence! Hurah!

(lets hope it doesn't take another five months to progress further)

Great Mates!

2009-08-22T17:30:00.004+01:00

I've discovered the best tool for restoring a Triumph Vitesse - great mates who know what they're doing!!!

(Perhaps tool wasn't the best word to use).

Firstly, fellow Lincs TSSC member Keith went at least 40 miles out of his way to collect an engine crane from Garth's house and drop it by mine.

And then Garth, who's herald I've "stolen" for the summer - which is a pretty awesome thing to let happen - came round today to 'give me a hand' with the Vitesse.

Well, he laughed as I couldn't work out how to use a spanner (don't ask) but also got the project moving on loads. I'm probably about where most people are after a weekend - and it's taken me well over a year...

Firstlty the engine is now out of the car.

And the chassis is almost clear. One driveshaft and the diff have seized bolts that'll need a little attention to remove (I'm borrowing Garth's compressor and air saw next week - see great mates is all you need).

However, turning the chassis over has shown a few horrors such as a (now bent) front rail with a nice hole through it.

Then there's the completely holed driver main chassis rail towards the diff.

And more holes on the other side.

So, once I've used Garth's herald to go to Stamford and Thoresby classic car shows next week, I'll use his compressor and air saw to remove the diff. Following a clean-up of the chassis, I'll then be inviting Garth and Tony to come round and enjoy a spot of welding.

I'll just fetch beer and bring pies :-)

(and if anyone saw the new Lincs TSSC Area organiser looking worse for wear on the Saturday night at Stafford - it wasn't me!)

TSSC Stafford 2009

2009-08-17T17:24:00.005+01:00

Instead of my usual ramblings about lack of progress on Project Vitesse - here are some photos from this year's TSSC Stafford Weekend...

Jenny the Herald was there on the Saturday:-

The Main Hall:-

(Above is the unveiling of the Herald Hatchback prototype)

(Above: 2nd row, 4th from left is Lincs TSSC members Phil & Will's herald as official representative of the 13/60 saloon. Jenny may not be the prettiest herald but she was able to give the 13/60 a jump start following a flat battery!!!)

Outside parking:-

Funky Modifications:-

(Handle for blinds in Herald above!)

My Faves:-

(Above Herald 1200 was my favourite car at the show - not sure why!)

There were many wonderful cars there, and I wish I had taken more photos. Craig's shorrock conversion herald was stunning and there were a couple of stunning GT6s - including a very nice red one with racing stripes. I went home very, very, jealous!!!

Also well done Lincs TSSC man Keith Nock who managed a second in the Concours Masterclass! We were especially proud as he uses the car and isn't just a turn up and polish type of chap.

Let's hope next year is as well attended.

Hopefully next weekend the engine and gearbox is coming out of the Vitesse - who said there's no progress.....?

Chassis Woes

2009-08-08T15:28:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Garth who came and chopped off the old bulkhead - the bolts had seized and I managed to snap two ratchets trying to free the bolts.

The old bulkhead sold on eBay for £1.04, which was fine by me as I didn't have to mess about getting it scrapped!!!

Now the body is off the chassis, I have been able to get a proper look at how bad it is...

The rear off-side outrigger is not welded to the rest of the chassis!!! The chassis also is very holey underneath the rear diff. Garth, Tony and Phil have offered to come and help - so I may have a 'welding party' soon! Hopefully beer will be enough to get them around.

In preparation for the weld-athon, I have removed the prop shaft and the exhaust - finding out one of the exhaust brackets will need welding up before I attempt to reattach it.

I just need to get the old stubbord bolts off the chassis and then get the engine and gearbox removed and onto an engine crane (I think this may form part of the weld-athon party).

I am now considering taking everything off and starting from the ground up - I might as well now that everything is so accessible. I fancy fitting new bushes to everything and giving everything a clean and a coat of paint. I'm also looking to buy a lowering block from Rimmers for the rear end. So slow progress...but It'll soon be on the road!

We're off to Boston Car Show tomorrow - 9th. We'll be at Stafford for the TSSC family weekend next weekend Friday 14th to Sunday 16th. The 30th is Stamford Car Show and the 31st is Thoresby Park Car Show.

Then it's the Lincs TSSC weekend at Woodhall Spa on the 4th-6th of September. Busy times!

Anyone need a convertible windscreen frame?

2009-07-18T14:32:00.002+01:00

I've finally taken the old bulkhead off the Vitesse.

If anyone wants a convertible windscreen frame to graft onto a saloon bulkhead - this might be for you!

Listed on ebay - Item Number 220453940400.

Lincoln's Monthly Classic Car Meet

2009-06-25T20:52:00.006+01:00

Last Thursday of the month at Woodcocks, Burton Waters. Starts about 6.30 - 7.00pm.

Well worth going - wide range of cars - and nice people too! (Apologies for the rubbish photos taken on my phone)

Are we nearly there yet?

2009-06-24T18:01:00.004+01:00

Sunday 21st saw me go to the 21st TSSC Peak Run organised by the Derwent Valley area. I went with fellow TSSC Lincs Bods Phil and Will. I was in Jenny the Herald - as I still haven't given it back to Garth yet!

We arrived just as the run was about to start, so I just followed Phil without opening the instructions (I was on a solo run so didn't have a navigator). 90 miles of winding, hilly and picturesque roads with about 100 various Triumphs - great stuff!

This day of driving (8 hours-ish) made me want to finally get the Vitesse back on the road, so today I have braved the garage to see what I didn't do last time I was in there.

Since the last time I posted, I have removed the doors, cut the wiring loom with a set of garden shears (it was bodged to b*ggery) and unbolted the clutch and brake cylinders. I have also cut the screen out of the car.

The organisation of the removed bits is looking a bit ropey though - anyone know where all this stuff goes?

So not much more to do before the old bulkhead is ready to be removed. I think I'll be asking a few people round to help with that one....

And finally after going on about slot mags for months and months, I've decided I like the cosmics that are already on it. Glad I didn't spend £400+ on the set I saw a while ago now!!!

Tomorrow is the monthly Lincoln classic car meet at Burton Waters, so I might pop down and see whats happening. For those that are interested it's at the Woodcocks pub, last Thursday of the month from 6.30pm.

Camp? Me?

2009-05-11T13:39:00.005+01:00

Just got back from our jolly jaunt which consisted of:-

Driving down to the Isle of Wight Thursday 30th April. Attending the TSSC Isle of Wight Camping weekend Friday 1st - Monday 3rd. Staying on the island for some sun before heading to the TSSC SEM meet on Friday 8th May and coming back to sunny Lincoln on Sunday 10th May.

That'll be 11 days of camping and Triumphing!

The Isle of Wight camping weekend was superb. Especially on the Sunday convoy when 64 various Triumphs met up with another 20-30 cars from the TR register for an ice cream at the top of a hill!

First thing on the Thursday was to get ourselves to the Spyglass Inn in Ventnor for some fishy-food...

I can say that the local forty-niner beer was great. Not so great was the fact that the Herald laden with three beer filled adults (and one sober one) couldn't make it up the extremely steep, narrow and bendy Ventnor Hill road - think San Fransisco and Bullit!!! Luckily, Garth held on to the handbrake whilst I, very unusually, became suddenly athletic, leaped over the back of the car and managed to push it up with the little herald struggling. I also managed to jump back in before being left behind!!!

Below are some pics before the Sunday convoy which show some of the cars there...

"Jenny" the Herald next to fellow Lincs TSSC members Phil and Will's (now known as Phylis and Willis) extremely smart 13/60 Herald. Apparently the line-up photos are going to be published in Triumph World - we're the two on the far right of the bottom row!!!

Saturday saw 60-odd cars head for Blackgang Chine on the island and we even managed to blag a parking zone of our own!

Whilst on the island, Sarah (my long-suffering other half) managed to get away from Triumphs long enough to visit a local vineyard. She made short work of the samples!

Sunday night was barbeque night. "Jenny" decided to step up to the mark and become our local ale house for the evening! 10 litres of 'Wobbly Bob' didn't last long (I reckon Will drank most of it as Garth, Phil and myself hardly touched a drop - maybe!). We reckon by the time Stafford comes, we'll be able to adapt the boot rack for optics and crisps...

And me on a leafy lane with 'Jenny' the herald...

At SEM, "Jenny" was treated to a tune-up. These guys were very thorough and despite a diagnosed b*****ed dizzy, we got a 40% better fuel economy on our journey home!!!!

I'm now more eager than ever to get my Vitesse sorted. And guess what? I've even decided on Sapphire as the colour - it's only taken a year for that decision to be made!!!

We're all going on a summer holiday...

2009-04-25T19:31:00.004+01:00

Thursday will see us travel to the TSSC Isle of Wight camping weekend.

As Garth and Ellie (Lincs Area Organisers) take the comforts of a caravan these days - and their 2.5PI drinks worse than Oliver Reed - they'll be taking their nice reliable modern. Which means that I have been entrusted to take their Herald 1200 - which we plan to all use whilst on the island.

Before departing, I thought it best to do some 'practice runs', so today we visited the TSSC Open Weekend - about 70 miles each way - to get a feel for the car. I think the car now forgives me!

It was nice to go to a Triumph-type thing in a Triumph-type car for a change (and we even had the hood down for the last 10 miles home although it was bl**dy cold and windy out of the sun).

We'll be staying on the Isle of Wight for a few days before we head off for the TSSC SEM meet (with my Herald driving duties needed again).

I've had so much fun in the Herald, I'm starting to remember a Vitesse shaped project in the garage that needs some attention...

Pies!

2009-02-15T17:12:00.003Z

Thursday saw the Lincs TSSC group combining their favourite non-triumph things, Pie and Beer. Leicester & Rutland and Northants joined us to visit The Olde Pie Shoppe in Melton for a pie making session followed by a trip to the local ale house.

The results can be seen above. The slightly wobbly one on the left was made by Sarah, my better half, and the masterpeice on the right was "raised" by my own fair hands!

Huge thanks to Garth for organising the event, and to all those that came along to support us - I think we had over 30 people join us on the quest for the perfect pork pie.

Whilst in the pub, and on a pie high, I seem to have mentioned that I would have my car completed in time for the TSSC lincs camping weekend in September. Having spent the weekend shifting bits of the car into the new garage - I think it might have been slightly optimistic....

On the road again...

2009-02-06T13:39:00.003Z

...unfortunately on the back of a trailer.

Having made the decision to move to a cheaper house to rent, it was time to get the car back into the daylight. The impending move and freezing temperatures had stopped all progress.

In preparation, it was moved outside and made "weatherproof" as I wasn't sure whether the transport people could do it Friday or Saturday.

Luckily John Fotheringham (01522 684004) were able to do the job straight away, so it was soon loaded and on the road. The chap driving the lorry was an absolute star and went out of his way to take care - and they were cheap (and I mean seriosuly cheap).

So, after the move, Blu was finally in his new - double sized home. I can't believe the missus swapped a huge kitchen and small garage, for a huge garage and tiny kitchen!!!

So once the house move is complete, and I've got some heating on the go, the car can finally be painted and rebuilt. Just watch this space...

Feeling Blue (Again!)

2008-12-09T14:32:00.003Z

Thanks to Garth, I have now tried 'Royal Blue' as a match to the Vitesse's paintwork - but alas, my car is a lighter shade. It's somewhere between Royal Blue and Sapphire.

Now that it isn't a 'standard' colour, I can make the decision as to what colour I paint the entire car. It's got to be blue because of the registration - so will probably go with Sapphire, although I am tempted by Royal. Anyone got any thoughts (or even better pictures of Vitesses in varying shades)???

I am also planning to paint 3mm perspex the body colour and place it in front of dash to see if it looks OK. Vin's chrome dash was a bit too much for me...

Mind you, I quite like the idea of 12 gauges in the car....

Yey! I'm back.....!

2008-11-23T09:52:00.003Z

A huge thanks to Keith and Ferny for helping me get the blog back onto the Club Triumph website. It needed an amendment to the .htaccess file in my webspace.

Naff all progress with the car, but at least people will now be able to read about that lack of progress!!! I still don't even know what colour it is.

Next Sunday the Lincs TSSC are off to Donna Nook (nr Louth) to see the seals birthing etc - it's a day out - and if anyone else fancied joining us on the run please feel free to come along! I'll be in the Triumph Suzuki Swift (see below)!

Also, I have been asked to provide some piccies of BLU for the Lincs TSSC calendar. My Vitesse will soon be the envy of all (well, those with a Lincs TSSC calendar and an even worse car). I want to be "Miss February" - watch this space!!!

Feeling Blue

2008-11-09T14:00:00.002Z

I've tried the both Sapphire and Delft blue on my boot. The D on the left is delft and the blue square on the right is sapphire...

The rain spots don't help, but it looks like my colour is a deeper shade than either of those! Damn!

Will try royal blue next before I give up and contemplate painting all of the car (it's only the bonnet and doors that I was hoping not to paint).

I've sent the car details to the TSSC Vitesse Register, so they may come back and let me know what colour the car was originally. Based on the fact that it's a MK2 Vitesse with Mk1 body panels it could have been anything originally!!!

Suzuki set to buy Triumph marque from BMW!

2008-10-28T19:07:00.005Z

Well that headline might get me a few more visitors to the blog! However, my best attempts to make the Swift look like a Vitesse at the Restoration Show at Stoneleigh on Sunday were thwarted by eagle-eyed 'experts'.

I have now got some early learning fridge magnet letters to spell 'Triumph' out accross the bonnet so I won't look so daft at the next classic event.

Back to the car, Garth (TSSC area AO and all round decent bloke) has created a little colour chart for me so I can start to get ready for painting. Just need some sun so I can work out whether my car is (mostly) Delft or Sapphire. It's worse than Dulux (Oatmeal Vs Barley white etc.)

Still need to finish removing the electrics and steering column from the car before I think of paint - but won't be long!

Dash removal

2008-10-19T14:25:00.004+01:00

Now it's time to start getting ready to remove the bulkhead so that it can be replaced with the lovely new one I got from Clive in Brighton.

Once the battery was removed, I managed to remove the dash carefully photographing the connections as I went (I hope they'll make sense later on). For now I have reconnected everything as was - so that I can label them later this week. I did end up with six unknown wires in a lovely lilac shade - hopefully I can find out what they're for!!!

I'm seriously thinking of replacing the entire loom - but we shall see. I'll contact AutoSparks in Notts to see how many £££s it will be.

Before...

After...

I'll finish removing the electrics and then start removing anything else from the bulkead such as wipers, heater matrix etc. I'm hoping I can leave everything lent on the engine whilst the swap takes place. Should only be the steering column that I'll need to remove (hopefully).

So, progress at last!

I'm now also considering painting all of the wood rather than replacing it with varnish etc. Probably paint it body colour - the wood just looks too 'old duffer' for me. This could be a decision that I later regret!!!

Another Vitesse saved!

2008-10-15T07:23:00.002+01:00

The rear tub sold on eBay for an amazing £62! Now, I'm not ready to retire on this windfall, but it has kept another Vitesse alive. Pat came over from Leicester last night to pick up the tub - he's restoring a Vitesse that was taken apart over 20 years ago!!! Bet he gets his finished before I do!!! Really nice chap, with a nice family - I look forward to bumping into him (not literally) when both cars are on the road.

I still need to swap the bulkhead over - just waiting for a decent day to roll the car out and start work again. Really could do with another garage - but I'm still waiting to her back from the council on that....

eBay Bargain

2008-10-04T13:24:00.002+01:00

The online tat bazaar now has a new entry....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=220289147915

Just got to check that my new one has all the appropriate fixings before anyone buys it....

Red Backside!

2008-10-02T18:18:00.003+01:00

Well we survived the trip to Brighton. Luckily the chap I bought the tub and bulkhead from was more prepared than I was and rigged up the body parts in the back of the van as I managed to turn up without anything! Huge thanks to Clive for helping us out.
#
So I now have a new rear tub, which I have already sat on the car - and it looks spot on.

The bulkhead is a minter too...

I paid £360 for both, which is a bargain when you consider the cost of repair panels or someone to have performed the welding.

Hopefully this weekend I can get the dash out of the car and start to contemplate removing the existing bulkhead. Then it's chassis time before paint and reassembly.

The old rear tub will be going on eBay tonight. Anyone know anyone that needs a rusty lump of Triumph.....???

A Trip To Brighton

2008-09-27T15:09:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow I set out in a LWB van to pick-up my newly acquired rear tub. yes, I've actually managed to find (and buy) one. PLUS - I'm also getting a new bulkhead - so that should save hours and hours of welding (and cost).

Unfortunately it's in Brighton, and due to having to attend an event tonight, it means I'll have to drive to and back there tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!

It's just a bit of prep work, and then some paint....

This car will be finished by Christmas (in my dreams)!

I hate eBay!

2008-08-28T12:47:00.007+01:00

Well no progress at all since the last post!!!

The TR7 bloke just asked if the Vitesse was for sale, I said no, he didn't reply about his lowest price. So thats a 'no go'.

The bloke with the rear tub for sale ignored all my correspondence and hasn't put it back online - so that looks like a 'no go' too!

Priced up repair panels for the tub at Rimmers - somewhere in the region of £600. That tub looks good value now - especially considering the naff 2x herald rear tubs on ebay at the moment which look worse than mine!!!

Neither Lincoln Council or NKDC have replied to my questions requesting a garage - so that's probably a 'no go' too.

Grrrrrrrr!

Never go to a Triumph Show...

2008-08-18T11:58:00.004+01:00

...without infinitely deep pockets!

Just come back from a great 3 days at the TSSC Stafford Weekend. Lots of cars, food and tents. We went for the day last year and it was a bit poor. This year everything was loads better and our new found friends of the Lincolnshire TSSC kept us amused (and full of breakfast!).

The good news is that I managed to go three days of autojumble and shiney bits without spending too much money (£10 on cloths and gloves, £100+ on beer, £0 on car parts).

The bad news - Sarah, (the other half that puts up with my Triumph obession and knack of buying 'bargains' that seem to cost loads, and placing rotting rear tubs in the back gardenand leaving them) finally got to sit in a TR7. It seems that the 'slipper fitted' and she now wants one for herself. Its got to be a funky colour and be a soft top. Not wanting to hang around we'e seen this little beauty on eBay...

I've emailed the seller to see if the already low asking price of £895 has any movement. Looks good, just some 'minor reconditioning'. Will a trip to Doncaster to view be on the cards?

So what will we do if he makes me an offer I'll be forced to accept???

Looks like the TR7 will need to be put into a council lock-up, and then we could drive a decent modern car to the garage and swap them over as needed. The Vitesse can stay in the garage at the house (parts in the garden) so the other half can keep an eye on me. The two modern cars can claim the drive and the pavement outside the house.

God help me if the complete rear tub on eBay for £500, comes good and my pleading email to the sellar convinces him to lower his price expectations!!!!

Oh, and Sarah has a new job so needs to swap her little Kia Picanto for something a little bigger and diesel. And my little Suzuki Swift diesel is getting battered by my 30k a year mileage and so I could do with something with a bigger boot and longer legs.

Who needs to be able to pay the bills when two dodgy Triumphs and two new modern cars are on the horizon???