Gary Flinn

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

Colin Yes, it looks a lovely car but the Brake pipes are all over the place? Gary

I have just tried once again to trace previous owners of my Current Classic, I tried to explain some important reasons why I needed to contact previous owners, but I'm not hopeful it will make any difference? This is the previous reply I got a couple of years ago from DVLA after submitting the V888 Form: Thank you for your email I wish to explain that from the 1st September 2017 all requests for information from DVLA vehicle records, whether submitted by individuals or companies are considered under Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002. This law allows DVLA to release details of registered keepers where reasonable cause has been met. While reasonable cause is not defined in legislation, the Government’s policy is that it should relate to the vehicle or its use following incidents where there may be liability on the part of the driver or keeper. Examples being:- · Where details of a previous keeper(s) is required for court proceedings · Finding out who was responsible for an accident · Tracing the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle · Tracing the registered keeper of a vehicle parked on private land Further guidance on what constitutes reasonable cause is published online at www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla Disclosures under reasonable cause also need to comply with the Data Protection Law. DVLA has looked into the lawfulness of whether providing the previous keeper history of a vehicle meets our obligations under the Data Protection Law. We have considered whether releasing the personal details of a previous keeper(s) to the current keeper or someone acting on their behalf meets the reasonable cause provision. In the circumstances you have described there is no lawful provision that would allow DVLA to override the rights to privacy of the vehicle’s previous keeper(s). This is not to say that DVLA would not be able to provide the vehicle history if required by the current keeper or someone acting on their behalf with the consent of the current keeper. However, all third party personal information, that is names and address of previous keeper(s) will not be provided unless the reasonable cause provision can be met. This ensures that DVLA is fully compliant with the current Data Protection Law and the new General Data Protection Regulation that came into effect on 25th May 2018. I am sorry to send what must be a disappointing reply, however I trust this explains the Agency’s position on the matter. We can always spot an untaxed car. Tax it or lose it. Go to www.gov.uk/vehicletax

Is this the most Rotten Stag ever? A brave restoration or parts only. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Stag-MKI-Rare-Barn-Find/402358390025?hash=item5dae6dcd09:g:HIYAAOSwvY5fMoD3

I visited 3 years ago on one of the Classic car days, we saw the Lancaster Taxiing, had a short Air display by a visiting Spitfire, saw the Blenheim flying and also saw the Mosquito nearing completion of it's restoration in one of the Hangars. It's a fascinating place and certainly worth a visit. Gary

I've not heard any bad stories regarding TJ Filters (FRAM are a different story?), although 75mm is quite short and will reduce oil capacity slightly and presumably less filter material within? On my old Vitesse at Tick over (800 RPM) showed Oil Pressure when fully Hot of 25 PSI, at 3000 RPM it was 75 PSI but that was with a fully rebuilt engine with new Crank and bearings. Triumph recommended 40-60 PSI at 2000 RPM when hot so it you are getting this then the engine should be in reasonable health. Low oil pressure at tick over (Less than 20 PSI) would indicate a worn engine to me. Regards Gary

Your car looks great?😋 Well done!

Colin As stated at the start of the post by Badwolf, are you sure you've not trapped an Overdrive switch wire as it runs up the column to the switch? Its all very tight up the column and very easy to trap one, have you checked this area? It sounds like you have a dead short somewhere! Gary

Just spotted this on E-Bay, can't be many left this unmolested these days? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Courier-Van-herald-estate/203061954024?hash=item2f476f85e8:g:jJYAAOSwHNVfIe8x

You will get a better price buying the Newton Commercial stuff via one of the Specialists, try Canley Classics or James Paddocks? Regards Gary