triumph

Doesn’t it just look… angry?

Plenty of cars have faces. Some are cross-eyed, some look confused (I’m looking at you, every Citroen before 1986), and some look genuinely excited to be on the road (every Mini). The most obvious example brought up is frequently the eternally-happy Austin Healey Sprite, but a lot of modern cars are made (factory or by hacking about with fibreglass) to look rather mean. This isn’t a new thing though, as various manufacturers proved in the 50s/60s, such as this wonderful Triumph Vitesse that’s temporarily (ie: until post-COVID times) gracing my driveway.

Obligatory GB magnet and creeping moss in evidence

This particular one had sat for a while, but once all the birds nests had been removed and the various seized things unseized, it actually runs rather nicely – but it still looks angry. What’s non-obvious from this angle is how small it is though – as a four-seater car, it’s not really wider than a proper Mini and is absolutely dwarfed by anything modern.

However, this one does have a few surprises. First of these is that it actually started, despite having arrived here with ten year old petrol in it. Secondly, it’s the rather rarer 2 litre mk1 model, with the 4-speed overdrive box. It does not have a 2 litre engine; some wag in the past has fitted the loud bits out of a 2500TC to it, along with a rather fruity exhaust. Unfortunately, it’s got the original Vitesse differential, which I don’t imagine will have a terribly long lifespan if all that torque is used that often. It is also rather front-heavy though, which will be interesting with that famously-stable rear suspension….

By tedlit, ago

JUNGLE IS MASSIVE

This is a mk2 Triumph Spitfire, as it helpfully says on the back of the car. This was at ABFM this year; they’re not always this WIKID though. Just *look* at those tailpipes. That must be.. oh.. one per cylinder!

IMAG2136

By tedlit, ago

This is a clutch release bearing. Isn’t it interesting?

It’s out of a 1967 Triumph 2000.. and is the reason the car in question is sitting in my garage with its gearbox out. Some genius who shall not be named decided that furiously pumping the clutch after the car had been off the road for three years was a good way of unseizing the clutch disc. Unfortunately, due to the design of the early release sleeves, this can cause the slipper pads (the things that hold the fork into the slots in the side of the sleeve) to slip out completely, locking the sleeve wherever it may be.

The “fix” (aside from “don’t be an idiot with the clutch”), is to install the sleeve/bearing from a later mk1 / mk2 2000 – this uses square slipper pads that are much less likely to lock the sleeve up. They also don’t have slots for the pads – there’s a continuous ring round the sleeve. It’s a straight swap, but – somewhat obviously – requires the gearbox to be out in order to do it…!

By tedlit, ago

Once bitten…

I’ve had six Triumph Stags now. I currently have three, and none of them are driveable. I haven’t driven one (legally) on the road since 2004. They are a nightmare from every single conceivable angle, and any sane person would run a mile from them.

However, last week I did this.

 

I don't really like wire wheels either.

This is a ’71 Stag. It’s supposed to be Carmine Red, but some genius has had it resprayed in a hideous pink/red metallic flip, and then sanded a bunch of it down where the paint guy took a tea break. It’s got its original drivetrain, the interior is fairly good, and the soft top hasn’t seen an erection since 1981.

Unfortunately, seeing as it’s got its original drivetrain, it doesn’t run right. It would barely cough and wheeze its way onto a trailer last month, and the previous “owner” had a bunch of head work done in order to fix a problem that’s nothing to do with the head. Fortunately, I no longer have to worry about burnt exhaust valves – instead, I have to deal with a blown water pump graphite seal, different height head gaskets, a badly-skimmed inlet manifold, and a front choke secured with zip ties.. and that’s before I get to any of the obstacles British Leyland or Lucas put in the way of being the world’s best car.

Clarkson has a point. The Triumph v8 is a total dog of an engine. Sure, in running order, it’s fantastic.. and to some extent, the problems are well understood and fixes are available.. but for most people, ripping the damn thing out and stuffing a small block Chevy in there is the obvious option. Ignoring the enormous weight difference, it is far simpler to work on.

The more obvious global fix is the Rover v8 – which probably should’ve been in there in the first place – and sheer pigheadedness is what prevented it from being in there in the first place. Go British Leyland, eh.

By admin, ago

When it’s 90F outside…

Remember that Stag from a few posts down, and a few weeks ago? Well, this is what it looks like now:

OK, so that’s not exactly a great deal different… but under that California-faded paint is a good paint job struggling to get through. It also belies the amount of work that’s gone on under the hood – and under the car, as it happens.

This one is right hand drive (as is given away by the steering wheel being on the correct side and the British license plate, duh) and has a Rover v8 conversion. The engine conversion is actually pretty good – it’s still got the Triumph 4-speed o/d box mounted – but the ancilliaries could’ve been done better by a five year old. All fixed now.. well, as best as I can fix it, anyway.. and aside from spongy brakes and no choke cable it’s almost ready to hit the road again.

By tedlit, ago

A biscuit to anyone who can identify four cars…

…and a Jammie Dodger to anyone who can identify all six.

I was idly walking around British Auto Works, and saw this little gem in the corner. Actually, it was a vomit brown Morris Marina that actually caught my eye – as well as a “Tobacco Leaf ” (OK, also vomit brown) P6B. I have no idea where they find all these cars from, but it’s starting to give my barn some serious competition.

By tedlit, ago

Why we take batteries out before storing

This is what happens if you take a 1971 Stag, drive it until 1978 when the engine gives up, and then store it until 2007. You will of course remember to carefully drain and replace all the fluids, seal the interior, and cover the car correctly. What you will forget is to remove the original British Leyland battery, which over the next 29 years will disintegrate, filling your front valance with battery acid.. which in turn will disintegrate, taking the entire battery box, half the radiator, the fan, and most of the front bumper with it.

By tedlit, ago

The world of Right Hand Drive

See how flat that back tyre is? This car last moved in 2002.

This is a 1970 Triumph Stag. It was owned by a stupid person in the Bay Area. It’s now sitting in my driveway, close enough to be mine but far enough away that it won’t start (another) fire when I start it.

It’s got a Rover v8 mated to the original 4-speed o/d box, and has a hole in the gas tank big enough to put your arm through. It also uses more oil than fuel, but it’s right hand drive, yellow, and mine.

Also, notice how the doors don’t fit right? They’re original – as proved by the reams of photos and receipts that came with it – but they are composed almost entirely of rust and filler. That’s OK, because the car came with four new doors (yes, it’s a two door with six doors), but I have one honeysuckle door, one french blue door, one mallard blue door, and one green door now. Aren’t I lucky?

By admin, ago

Which yellow?

I was trying to explain the drawbacks of 1970’s automotive paint selections the other day.. your basic beige, brown, tan, chestnut and puke green.. when m’colleague quoth “surely they must’ve got *one* colour right? It wasn’t all tartan interiors and giant shirt collars, was it?”

I thought for a moment.. and came up with this:

It’s a Dolomite.. and the colour is Inca Yellow. This is also the colour my Stag is going to be when I’m done with it. Triumph had a bit of a yellow “thing” going on for most of the 1970s.. Inca, Mimosa, Saffron, Honeysuckle..  all with varying degrees of badness.

Except for Inca.

Obviously.

By tedlit, ago