Gary Flinn

A very dark shade, so Royal Blue maybe?

Yes I suppose the best place for it is a Museum? The price is a bit more realistic now though, I'm sure if it was a Sprint it would have been snapped up for sure. Regards Gary

80 Miles Now😆 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-DOLOMITE-1977-80-MILES-FROM-NEW/254810750572?hash=item3b53e77e6c:g:UKkAAOSwtvxf24Yn

Welcome to the the Crazy world of TR5 Parts Prices? Can anyone remember the Ro-style Wheel trims which went for £1,000+ on E-Bay a few years ago? Gary

Photo's will help, I doubt a leaking Differential would get oil on the dampers though. Does your car have these Damper brackets fitted?

I've been following this post with interest. Doctor Slow, can you confirm if you are using the Original Top Damper mountings which mount the top of the Damper (Shock Absorber) on the inner Wheel Arch on the GT6's Mk2's and early Mk3's fitted with Rotoflex lower Wishbone type suspension? If so, this Damper is longer than the type fitted to the early GT6 Mk1 and late swing spring type Mk3 and all other small chassis Triumphs. If your using the top mount Extension Brackets that mount on the original Chassis top mount's then, as stated by Clive the Open & Closed lengths are vital for a smooth comfortable ride. I fitted Koni 80-1717 Adjustable dampers (Designed for the front of an early Mini) to my Vitesse Mk2 using the top Damper Extension Brackets and the ride was perfect with them set on the Standard Factory soft setting. The Koni 80-1717 have an Open length of 296mm and a closed length of 218mm but need some modifications to the bushing to fit them to the Rotoflex type suspension. Let me know if you want details on how to fit them. Regards Gary

TR5 Steering Wheel for comparison.

The offset spoke type wheel was I believe fitted to early 2 Litre Mk1 Vitesse's, TR4's and possibly 4a's with a leather cover? All Mk2 Vitesse models and most of the later Mk1 2 Litres had a similar Leather covered sprung spoke wheel but with the spokes centred on the boss. I reckon Mk3 Spitfires had the the same sprung wheel, again with centered spokes but no leather cover. The earlier GT6 Mk2 wheel was similar if not exactly the same as a TR5 wheel with the Moulded Covers over the spokes, for the American crash laws of the time. All wheels 15" diameter as standard, but the MK2 Vitesse parts book lists a 16" Option and the Wooden or Leather 3 spoke 15" Formula Style Wheels available to all models, again as an option. The Wooden Formula style look great but aren't that comfy to use in my opinion.

I've just had a quick look at the Canley Classic site which uses pages from the Original Stanpart Parts catalogue's, it shows 2 Litre Mk1 Seats with the Wire type Side Bolster supports too, I always though these were unique to the Mk2? I never realized either that there are High & Low back type seats, but had read in the past that the Convertible seats are different to the Saloon, presumably the Low back type are for the Convertible so they can be slid back further without fouling the 'B' Posts? I'm sure an Original Parts Book for the Mk2 Vitesse would help but I sold mine when I sold my Vitesse😕 Gary

Great Job Paul😃 I opted for the Newton Kit & Foams for the back rest side Bolsters when I had my Mk2 seats rebuilt by my Brother-in-law. The wire sprung arrangement seems very complicated and some of mine had snapped. They looked more or less original when finished Gary

How About this one with a 2.5 Engine? a bit pricey though! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Vitesse-1971-Show-condition-Last-registered-car-to-leave-the-factory/333758580937?hash=item4db58fc8c9:g:Pg4AAOSwC-1fjIJx

The front trim is held on with special 'U' shaped clips with tangs on, once its starting to come off at one end, gentle pulling should ease the rest of it off, a wooden drift and gentle hammering should start it at one end. If re-using these clips, a good coating of your chosen Rustproofer (Dinitrol 3125 is my preferred one) to all areas will help, clean off excess with White spirit when its fitted. Some people Ignore the clips and use Silicon sealant to hold the trims on. I'm not sure about removing the rear Trim finisher on a saloon roof, probably a similar method and similar clips hold it on?

Wow! Never seen so much Triumph stuff? I remember seeing this company showing off a cracking Silver Grey TR6 at the Lincoln TSSC/TR International in 2016. Gary

It looks like the Drivers & Passenger Seats are the same then but the runners are handed. I must be getting mixed up with Convertible seats and Saloon being different, I wonder what the difference is with the Saloon/Convertible seats? Thanks Chaps

Hi All Can anyone confirm if the Front Seats on a Vitesse MK2 Convertible are handed? I'm convinced I've read somewhere that they are different for Passenger and driver. I don't have a Parts Book anymore for the Mk2 Vitesse, but felt sure they are listed has two separate part numbers, anyone got a Parts book they can check? Regards Gary

Yes GT He's certainly had plenty to say, but always seemed to upset people, there was no doubt he knew his stuff with Triumph Engines and Gearboxes though? I met him around 10 years or so ago at Stafford when he was selling stuff, he was into racing Jaguar's back then. My first memories of him are at one of the TSSC Meets in the Mid-80's, it may have been at Motec near Telford or possibly Donington? He was doing a race demo and was in his Sienna Brown Mk2 Vitesse Saloon burning rubber, it went like stink and sounded awesome. I believe it was 2 Litre with Lucas PI, the car's probably long gone. I think he lives in France now.

Some of the Reproduction clips are not made to the correct dimensions I'm afraid? I'm sure if you could find some originals you wouldn't have any trouble. However they must be like Rocking Horse Poo now 🙁

I replaced them on my TR a few years ago, it helps to warm them up in Hot water. They become more pliable then. Regards Gary

Fred Nicklin or Dave Gleed?

Thanks for all the comments. I don't think I'm going to get conclusive evidence regarding the Works Vitesse's😕 Chris Gunby, can you comment regarding contacting the Honorary Members? Gary

I have e-mailed the TSSC to see if they can find out anymore on the Works Vitesse's off a couple of Honoury Members who may well know more? Gary

Hearsay only of course😉 Something about it wasn't the same car that finished the Rally that started it? If that was the case, surely the 2.5PI was the winner!!😁😁😁 Gary

Dave? Yes, I can remember seeing a Spitfire ADU 7B (I think) at one of the TSSC meets in the late 80's at Moxhull Hall, when I attended in my Stag. It would seem the DVLA/DVLC were much more lenient in issuing registration documents back then? I have tried to trace twice with them previous owners of my current Classic only to have the DATA Protection act thrown back at me!😒 Gary

I'm sure after all these years that even if a couple of them are genuine they will be a bit of a "Triggers Broom" There are some doubts which have been raised on Social media regarding the accuracy of some of the facts quoted in publications by a well known Triumph Historian too I believe Tony Lindsey-Dean made a recreation of 6001 VC (Photo Attached) I'm sure there are people in the know, but facts about historic rally cars tend to get confused and mixed up in the sands of time. I wonder if there is any truth in the rumor regarding the 1970 Mexico Rally wining Escort? now there is a can of worms!! Can anyone else add anything regarding the Vitesse's? Regards Gary

I've always been interested in the Rally Vitesse's, although they had a short period in competition, only entering the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally with a special heavily modified 2 Litre version (6003 VC) entering the Spa-Sofia-Liege rally of the same year I believe, but unfortunately it caught fire when well placed and was destroyed? Of the Four Cars prepared for the 1963 Monte 6001 VC to 6004 VC I'm led to believe that 6002 VC survives and was restored a few years ago by Canley Classics. 6004 VC was also recently spotted on a trailer on the Vitesse International Facebook page and again is (So I'm led to believe) the original car and is being restored by KD Triumph near Coventry The 6003 VC registration survives on a Replica owned by Dave at Canley classics. What of 6001 VC though? Can anyone shed any light on the above? Gary