Gary Flinn

i had a similar annoying problem on my Vitesse fitted with type 16P Calipers. I purchased a set of Anti-rattle clips, they were spring steel and tensioned the pins slight to stop them rattling, presumably you should be able to get a set for the type 14's too. Gary

I've seen that clip, its actually a 2 Litre Vitesse, 'F' Registration if I remember correctly? I think I checked on if it survived, but it didn't😥 Gary

I have no personal experience of these people but they are based near Long Eaton and seem to get good reviews? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi2mu6V4sH7AhWGh1wKHfF5ApMQFnoECA8QAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blyandson.co.uk%2F&usg=AOvVaw3Ip1Tww9Wdiv0LJ1NZc-ZC I had a quote off them for some work and they where within 5% of another quote I got for some remedials on my current Classic? Hope you get it sorted Gary

I used Grapoghen paste and also new Engine oil on certain parts (Cylinder Bores & Pistons/Rings) when rebuilding my Triumph Six for my Vitesse as recommended in a Practical Classic write up on rebuilding the Triumph Engine I also used Piper Cam lube for the new Camshaft and Followers Try and store the engine in a dry place and as Pete suggests seal up all the Inlet/exhaust ports Gary

I would double check to see if the rear wings have been replaced, some of the reproduction rear wings where the incorrect shape, flat instead of slightly curved. Can you compare the rear Wing shape/profile with another original Herald/Vitesse? Here's a couple of images that show my Old Vitesse which had its original rear Wings and Door skins and shows the profile of Door and Rear wing If the Repro rear wings with the incorrect shape/profile have been fitted you will struggle to get the doors to line up correctly I'm afraid Gary

Dan I searched for years trying to track one down, however I do know someone who did have one for sale recently, I will message him and see if he's still got it? Regards Gary

Wow! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285035018940?hash=item425d693abc:g:6pcAAOSw5ohjbg0r

Pete Have you any idea what the Strap drive actually does? Is it something to do with cushioning take up off drive to protect the Diff/Gearbox maybe. I had one fitted on my First 1200 Herald, it went out of balance and was horrible at 45MPH, it shook your teeth out!!😁😁😁😬 Gary

The Herald looks like it's got the original correct seats fitted to me, they are very similar to the 2 Litre Vitesse seats but the Vitesse as wider bolsters to the sides of the bases. The Damson Vitesse Mk2 looks a nice enough example, looks to me though like the seats have probably been re-foamed with not quite the correct shape to the base foams. Gary

Yes, with a nice bottle of Merlot to go😁

The Vitesse gearbox as a different Alloy Bell housing to the 4 Cylinder cars, with the starter motor on a different side (I think) and the clutch slave cylinder mounting in a different position too. I suppose you could change it but no sure if the Spitfire Clutch would work with the Input/First motion shaft of a Vitesse gearbox? The Early Vitesse 6 Gearboxes are not as strong as the later 2 Litre Models and have smaller prop shaft connecting bolts 5/16" UNF Bolts (1/2" spanner) instead of the 3/8" UNF (9/16" spanner) ones on a 2 Litre Gearbox. The Vitesse gearboxes do have delightful close gear ratio's, first gear maybe a bit too high for an 1147cc spitfire engine though. Gary PS - that's a Gorgeous Spitfire by the way🙂

Colin From the write up it was restored in the early 1990's in Hertfordshire with several N.O.S. Stanpart Panels? Not a really late one, as no steering lock fitted, presumably Laurel Green with a Matador red interior which is a great combination I wonder if there is a similar One owner late Vitesse Mk2 Convertible tucked up in a garage somewhere, I for one would love to find it if there is🤨 Regards

What about this beauty currently listed on E-Bay? If it was a Vitesse I would be sorely tempted🤔 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144772612395?hash=item21b51ec12b:g:g18AAOSws4djTuDF PS - It's a shame they can't get the spelling correct on the listing😬 Gary

At current exchange rates around £20,420.00 A tad expensive for a Vitesse, but as stated numerous times before, try restoring one to that standard for the same money? Quite a few nice ones appearing on the car and classic site too, I must get one again, I need to sell my current Classic first though🤔 Gary

Here you go https://newtoncomm.co.uk/collections/vitesse/products/upper-dash-panel-rhd Regards Gary

Here's a bit of Ohms Law Power (P) equals Volts (V) x Amps (I) (P = V x I) Transform the formula I = P divided by V So the Amps for a 3W Bulb = 3 divided by 12 = 0.25 Amps Simples 🙂

There should be a couple of support brackets (Items 59 and 7 as the attached Pdf) I'm not sure exactly if these fit to the dash metal surround or the wooden dash itself via the heater controls or choke? I've also a vague memory that the centre control console is supported to the Bulkhead too via a bracket or two Gary MkII Dashboard Controls _ Canley Classics.pdf

The original outer seals for the Herald/Vitesse Door Windows had a thinner section where the clip attached it to the door skin Like Pete suggests you may need to spread the clips for the reproduction door seals, have you made up a tool as per the workshop manual to hold and fix the clips onto the seal/door? I believe 608278 is the correct part number for the Herald/Vitesse outer seal with 613869 the clips to suit, although 613169 is also a similar clip and listed by both Rimmers & Paddocks Maybe the 613169 clips suits the repro seals better? I did pick up an original pair of door outer seals and they definitely did have a thinner section where the clips fitted and I seem to remember the correct clips are painted green, but I'm not 100% on this Gary

That's a great article Alan, thanks for sharing. It just goes to show what a good design it was, even better now with the new Trunnion less versions? Gary

Here's the info off the Rimmers site which does show only one front mounting near the vicinity of the Bellhousing and the rear silencer the correct shape for a MK2 Vitesse. I'm sure I've read somewhere that the Exhaust changed halfway through production of the Mk2, with the front pipe in two sections then changing to one piece On my old Vitesse which was manufactured in June 1970 the rear mounting pipe mounting position was before the silencer and was definitely off the Differential crossmember, there was no mounting bracket for the front of the Silencer on the Boot Outrigger which I believe was the original, the rear silencer bracket was on the Boot rigger though. I know the Heralds and probably the earlier Vitesse models had 2 Mounting brackets on the boot Outrigger for the front and rear of the Silencer. I suppose so long as everything is securely supported then it doesn't really matter where the supports go PS - I always though the front mounting was a bit of a waste of time as it is quite near were the exhaust downpipe fixes to the manifold anyway. Gary Exhaust Fittings and Mountings - 2 Litre Mk2 - PDF.pdf

This should help, Thanks to Canley Classics website. Going from Memory, on the Mk2 Vitesse there is only one rear silencer, this is supported at the rear on the Hanger off the Boot Outrigger and also near the Diff support crossmember At the front there are supports for the exhaust pipe at the bell housing and also near the rear of the gearbox I think? Regards Gary

Pete Be very careful with the Bonnet to Door gaps, yours look a bit tight, 5/16" is recommended with the rear of the doors to 'B' Posts set to 3/16" If you get the Front door to Bonnet gaps tight you will get paint chips for sure The Herald/Vitesse range never had tight panel gaps like some other period cars, due to the flexible method of construction! Not sure if you've seen this before the Standard Triumph service notes for building up the Body, it is very useful when setting gaps and adjusting things? Regards Gary Triumph Service Training Notes Herald Body.pdf

Pete I have seen this door skin crack on quite a few Heralds/Vitesse's, usually Convertible models. I always thought it was due to the top of Quarter light catching the top of the 'A' Post when going over pot holed roads and causing flexing and strain on the door? I suppose using the quarter light to Open/Close the door could cause the issue too. Gary

Don I think that spring was made on April the 1st? 😁

Just to add to this debate, if you look at all the original Parts/Workshop Manual sketches for the Triumph Herald/Spitfire Swing axle & Roto-flex type rear suspension, it shows the majority of the bolts that make up the rear suspension with the heads facing forwards and the nuts facing rearwards, this includes the bolt heads on the 'U' clamps of the rear spring. I don't know if there is a practical or engineering reason for this, can anyone offer any comments? Regards Gary