Gary Flinn

I've finally got my letter published in Classic Car Weekly😊 I will see if we get any response from the CCW readers on Identifying the car and keep you all posted. Gary

How Long so far Martyn?

Martyn I'm ok thanks, hope you are too, alas this is no longer allowed. Yes, a previous owner of my Old Vitesse had done the same in the late 1990's, although some of the Photocopies were very poor quality and hard to read, I did write to the first owner but got a reply back from the current occupants stating they no longer lived at that address. Regards Gary

Martyn You can't do this any more due to Data Protection, they wouldn't let me trace previous owners of my last classic for this reason when I tried🙁 Gary

I wondered if anyone knows any history on this car? I'm considering purchasing it but I'm put off by a couple of things, one is the lack of any history prior to 2001 and no Over-drive fitted I'm looking to get another Vitesse as a keeper and would prefer a one owner (Are there any left?) or long term ownership original spec car The other option is a fully restored car, which this was during the early Noughties to an excellent standard by the looks of it, the car is in very good condition still bar a few issues with the doors and some other minor points with the interior If you do a search on the Registration number it looks like it won car of the show at the 2009 Saltburn Classic vehicle show. Can anyone add to the above with regards to its history Gary

This query's been discussed before on here, does this help? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiI9MKvzOSCAxWZQUEAHXuTCBwQrAIoAHoECBoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.tssc.org.uk%2Ftopic%2F5267-rotoflex-gt6-mk3-radius-arms%2F&usg=AOvVaw2QufrTIw4OsCp86wvxiEXA&opi=89978449 Regards Gary

Sounds like a faulty Alternator? Have you got a Multi-meter to test voltages at the Battery.

Ian That sounds like an excellent idea, I subscribe to Classic Car Weekly, I will forward the Photo on to the Editor and see if they can get a response off their readers? Gary

The post I put on Facebook about this car is still running with over 700 comments! No one seems to know, the favourite to me would be some sort of late 50's, early 60's kit car to suit an old Ford Pops chassis and running gear. I will keep checking, but don't expect a definitive answer. Gary

I've put the photo up on a Facebook Forum for old British Cars and stirred up a Hornets Nest! Someone recently made a replica of it calling it a Sunbeam Tiger TS4 Prototype with the actual Picture shown in the background Here's the link https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2FTigerTS4%2F&psig=AOvVaw08VuvwFAi7x8RZx8V1QfrO&ust=1699002421053000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCNjctKz7pIIDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE and a photo Gary

I've had a swift reply from my contact in the Sunbeam Tiger club and he's telling me it is not a Rootes Group car. He reckons it may be a Reliant Prototype of some sort, if it is, it's not one I've ever seen before? The mystery continues. Gary

Yes, I've just done a search on Sunbeam Tiger Coupe TS4 Prototype and the photo's look very similar, the plot thickens? I know someone very Knowledgeable in the Sunbeam Tiger Club, I'll e-mail him for a response. Gary

I've spotted this car on a Facebook group for old British cars, everyone is struggling to identify it. I initially thought it maybe based on an early Series 1 1959 Sunbeam Alpine but now I'm not so sure Anyone know the make or Model? According to the Sun it's a Sunbeam Tiger Prototype (Lol!) https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwixoaODz52CAxU8ZEEAHen2D0oQFnoECBoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fmotors%2F24490985%2Fmystery-motor-london-unidentified-riddle-car-60s%2F&usg=AOvVaw3zLvYTRp3h6GqenarK4smn&opi=89978449 Gary

Hi Pete I fitted some exchange re-conditioned standard Lever Arm dampers when I rebuilt my Vitesse and they were fine, although some people feel they are antiquated and give a softer ride. You can also have the damper oil swopped for a slightly thicker type which should firm them up, but if your having adjustable valves fitted this isn't probably necessary. The only reason I upgraded to Koni's with the Extension Brackets was to match the front Koni's and also try and improve the ride and handling a bit, it also seemed a popular conversion. I can't say as I noticed that much difference in the ride quality, but I know the current owner raves about how well the car rides and handles. If your happy with the Lever Arm dampers that's fine, it might be worth changing the damper link arms if they are original, the metalastic bushes will no doubt have perished after all these years, I got a set off Chic Doig in Scotland for my car, he still lists them. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwit5qX6tJaCAxUmVkEAHWnICusQFnoECCEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicdoig.co.uk%2Fcar-store%2FTRIUMPH-VITESSE-MK11-Rotaflex-Rear-Lever-Arm-Shock-Link-Arm-150842-CHIC-DOIG-p421139348&usg=AOvVaw2ocvkME2Dr3T6Oq44r4rcI&opi=89978449 Cheers Gary

I fitted some Koni Dampers originally designed for the front of an early Mini to the rear of my Mk2 Vitesse fitted with the original Metalastic Roto-flex drive couplings, they required some modifications to the bushing but are the correct open and closed length when using the top chassis extension brackets which is very important for a smooth ride. They worked really well, here's a link if you want to swop those Spax dampers Regards Gary

That one looks Immaculate to me🤫

Colin This one I presume? https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/triumph/vitesse/368454 I'm leaning to getting a late Mk2 Convertible, unless I see an exceptional low mileage low owners earlier car. I'm viewing two at the weekend in Cambridge and Peterborough, but not building my hopes up. One mans immaculate is another mans average😕 Gary

A few more photo's, a 1476cc 6 Cylinder Engine? What an amazing car.

I attended this event yesterday on the lookout to see if any Triumph Vitesse Convertibles may be for sale. There wasn't one 1960's/70's Vitesse at the show, however this Time warp 1934 Gloria Vitesse saloon was on display. What an amazing piece of history, the paintwork could well be original! Gary

If your going to have a go do read the Standard Triumph Notes for body build up and adjustment and to tell you where all the body to chassis mounting points are located One thing not mentioned is you will need to remove the front 3 or 4 sill fixings screws that attach the sills to the front bulkhead/scuttle assembly each side and also to the chassis siderails underneath. All the rear tub bolts must be loosened including the seat belt Eye bolts and don't forget the two under the rubber grommets either side the spring mounting access plate, you may also find you need to remove some of them too to get the movement you need as well. It isn't rocket science so give it a go, we are here to help. Gary

Hi Thanks for the Pics, it certainly looks like the door to 'B' Post gap is too tight. According to the Standard Triumph Body adjustment notes the gap should be 3/16th of an inch (4.78mm) the Bonnet to door gap is set slightly wider at 5/16" (7.95mm) It looks to me like your rear tub does want moving back a few mm as the front bulkhead section is in a fixed position. I've attached the body build notes which are a useful read and may help you Gary Triumph Service Training Notes Herald Body.pdf

Hi Can you post some photos of the door when it is shut showing the gaps with the 'B' Post, Sill, Bonnet and 'A' Post (Windscreen surround) This may gives us some more idea on the problem Gary

In my youth, I improvised by using two Steel Wheels (Triumph 2000 I think), two lengths of M10 Rod with suitable nuts/washers. But I was young and foolish back then😬 Borrow or purchase the proper Spring compressor meant for our cars, better safe than sorry. Gary

I had an annoying noise on my Vitesse fitted with reconditioned 16P Brake Calipers, it was more of a rattle than a squeak though. I cured it with some additional spring loaded clips that fitted under the pins and tensioned slightly the pads, similar to these? Gary Brake Pad Anti-rattle Clips.pdf

I live in hope of finding a low mileage one owner car. I've not had any confirmation back yet on the owner of the Damson 30K mileage car, but I know my Contact will let me know if he does find out who owns it. The chances are it probably won't be for sale anyway but I'll keep you posted. I've been keeping an Eye on ones listed recently at Auctions, on E-Bay and on the various internet sites, a few decent ones have been selling for around £8K to £9k, a lot remain listed for sale around the £12 to £15K value, it would have to be a top notch car for me to pay this sort of money. Gary