Gary Flinn

Not always Colin I had one fail on my Vitesse at 60MPH! It was a bit scary to say the least, luckily it was on a straight bit of road that wasn't too busy, luckily I didn't lose my brakes and there was a layby for me to skid into. The vertical link snapped at the end of the threaded section due to fatigue from a previous accident/kerbing which I presume had bent it, I should have changed the Vertical Link really but back then (The mid 1980's) money was tight and I didn't know it was failing. Gary

Originally the Vitesse 6 and Early 2 Litre Vitesse's didn't have the flexible hoses fitted, the Mk2's did though. It is certainly a good idea to fit them though and get cold air into the Carbs/Engine. Gary

Doug I have seen that one listed, it looks very nice but I've set my heart on a Mk2 Convertible, preferably with Over-drive. I can remember chatting to a guy at the Stafford TSSC Show several years ago and he'd owned his White MK2 Convertible since 1974, a guy called Gordon Stokes from Birmingham also attended Stafford a couple of times and he'd owned his lovely 1965 Signal Red Vitesse 6 from new, but that was sold via a dealer a few years ago now. I did view a 3 owner car earlier this year with 47K miles genuine miles on the clock, but this had too many Mechanical issues for me although I did make what I though was a realistic offer for it which was refused. Gary

As a lot of you will know I've been on the lookout for an original low mileage/low ownership Vitesse for quite a few months now. Does anyone know of any club cars that have been owned by the same person from new? It must be a long shot with even the later Spitfires and Dolomites being 40+ years old now I would love to find an original, one owner low mileage car but I'm beginning to think there aren't any left these days. Regards Gary

They fit as per your second (bottom) photo on the TR's glued to the 'A' Post, so presumably the same way on your Spitfire. The same seal is fitted to the Stag's and later Herald/Vitesse models too I believe. Regards Gary

Certain Triumph Toledo models used a similar combined Wiper/Washer Switch to operate Electric Washers and two speed wipers, I fitted one to my old Vitesse with electric washers. Gary

Yes, sold for the asking price too?

Offers now invited on this item.

Hi Paul Presumably you have used the original chassis top mounts if you have CV Driveshafts? Unless you want to save a bit of weight I would leave the Lever Arm Chassis mounts in place in case a future owner wishes to convert back PS - Which make of Telescopic Damper (Shock) have you chosen? Regards Gary

Wow! That is a rare Item, that particular seller's been clearing out quite a few rare parts recently, a Vitesse front panel was listed a couple of weeks ago. Would it be safe to put straight on a car though? Gary

Yes, I don't see why not On my MK2 Vitesse I used that hole to support the rear of the exhaust pipe and the front of the rear silencer off that location with a simple bracket and strap hanger. Regards Gary

Glad you've managed to sort it🙂 It's just a matter of refitting it all to the car now then? Gary

Any Progress yet with the Suspension rebuild? Regards Gary

That's a great result, there are so many Herald/Vitesse models with this issue and it really spoils the look from the rear with sticking out doors! Have you any before and after photos? Have you any idea what causes tub spread, I was told it was when the rear Boot Outriggers are rotted out. Gary

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226013620897?itmmeta=01HQ8J820H6EREGC2AM54GVTY2&hash=item349f762aa1:g:JU8AAOSwORZl1lfR It's not the first time I've seen a Triumph with a Tree/Bush growing through it?!!

Good luck with it and keep us all posted how you get on?🙂

I believe people have fitted Polybushes too in place of the Trunnions, I wonder if they give interesting handling too? Gary

Surely the principle of these rear trunnions is as per the front ones, the steel tube should be clamped tightly so it's correct length is critical, then the Nylon trunnion bushes pivot on the tube, isn't that the principle? I've stripped these down before and found the hole in vertical link way oversize because the rear suspension vertical links been pivoting on the bolt due to the steel tubes being rusted solid onto the long bolt! I can remember reading years ago a technical write up in the Courier on the lower wishbone suspension by someone called Eickhoff, he goes into great detail on the ideal position for the inner wishbone lower pivot point and I'm sure he had a go at fitting sealed bearings in place of the trunnion bushes too. All in all this rear trunnion bush arrangement isn't ideal and is very prone to seizing up. Gary

I would be very wary of trying to spread the wishbone, I believe they are cast and you are likely to break something. I would do as Trigolf suggest and put the vertical link in a vice and then try and fit the assembly using a soft faced hammer (Nylon/Copper) to hammer the wishbone over the vertical link. Another option is to use a couple of 'G' Cramps to compress the bushes whilst trying to fit the wishbone onto the vertical link. If all this fails, then maybe carefully grinding or machining 1mm off each side of the vertical link may be the only option. Gary

Pete I've read in the past that two types of Vertical link castings where supplied for rotoflex cars, could one be slightly wider for some reason? Have a read of this link

Pete You are fighting against the Rotoflex coupling, I've seen people use ratchet straps to pull the top of the vertical link inwards so you can get the bolt through the vertical link and spring eye. If I remember correctly, I levered the top of the vertical link inwards somehow and used an old spring eye bolt which had a point ground into it, this was hammered through when the holes were nearly aligned, another pair of hands is useful if you don't have ratchet straps. You can then knock through carefully from the opposite side your new spring eye bolt. The lower wishbone was in position as was the UJ onto the Differential and the trailing arm too. Oh the joys of Rotoflex suspension!! Hope the above makes sense? Gary

You really need to remove the spring to check it properly for damage? I know the thicker Anti-roll bar on the later Spitfires can do strange things to the rear camber with the Swing springs, but I've never seen it before on Heralds or Vitesse's A good wire brushing and you should be able to see any broken leaves. The dimension of a Mk2 Spring in good condition are around 1012mm Eye to eye when removed or not under tension, the free arc height is around 165mm from the floor to the centre underside when resting in its normal position on a flat floor. Have you got a spring lifting tool for removal and replacement of the spring? Spring Lifter Dimensions.pdf

This car started it all off for me way back in 1981, that was the then owner a guy called John Gregory, we are still close friends I still keep in touch with the present custodian now, these cars can get under your skin🤔 Gary

Yes, I noticed that. Maybe they are getting mixed up with the 18/50 Dolomite? Gary

Brown was a surprisingly popular colour in the 1970's and I thought it was making a comeback a few years ago too, heavens knows why in both cases? PS - Apologies to owners of Brown cars!!🫣 Gary