GFL

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

I've got a bit closer to finding out who owns the Lovely original Damson Vitesse, a mate knows someone who knows the current owner, he is going to pass on his contact details so at least I will be able to find out if there is any possibility of a sale? Watch this space. Gary

I'm not expecting to find a Perfect one, if one actually exists? My holy grail would be a one owner car (Are there any left I wonder?) with all original bodywork and lowish mileage. The 2nd choice is a fully restored one, that's been completed to an excellent standard to original spec, I don't mind some Modifications, Alloys, better seats, Telescopic damper conversions to the rear of a Mk2, Etc. This car below was spotted by a mate at a recent classic car meet near Gloucester, this looks like it ticks most of the boxes for me. I did talk to the owner at the Stafford TSSC Show about 12 years or so ago and he said it was low miles and original, although it had been subjected to some restoration work and a respray by Jigsaw the Triumph restoration people Looking at the current road Tax status it would seem it was sold in 2017 Does Anyone know the owner? Gary

Johny Do you mean the Valencia Blue one listed in the classified Ads? If so, I'm put off by the tatty interior and a number of other issues, £12K isn't over my budget and I am willing to pay more for the right car. I've also been sent a load more photo's and information on the Royal Blue one in the Channel Isle's, again there are a number of issues I have with this one too! My trouble is I'm too fussy, I need to be patient and keep looking Gary

They could be on Holiday?

This car is now sold for the £8K asking price🤔 The search goes on. Gary

I know Greg Knight is a fellow Classic car owner and may well get involved with proposed law changes and legislation? I wonder if all the people affected by the recent ULEZ changes will now be buying older classics🤨 Gary

Johny I've had this response from the HMRC, the relevant item I've put in bold and underlined it:- Good afternoon Mr Flinn Thank you for your email. It does not matter if the vehicle was originally owned and registered in the UK by someone else. If you buy the vehicle in the Channel Islands and you are now bringing it to the UK, import taxes will need to be paid on the vehicle. There will be no relief available. VAT relief can only be claimed if the exporter and the importer are the same person - the person who took the vehicle out of the UK must be the same person now returning the vehicle to the UK. This would not apply in this case. From 1 October 2022 the import process has changed (our website will be updated in due course) and here on the Cars Team we can no longer issue manual calculations for import taxes due. You will need to get a Customs Agent to make a customs declaration for you on the Customs Declaration System – even if you bring the vehicle to the UK yourself on the ferry or Channel Tunnel. The Customs Agent will calculate any import taxes due and bill you accordingly. For vehicles over 30 years old, import VAT will be charged at 5% and there will be no import Duty to pay. The taxes will be calculated based on the price you pay for the vehicle along with any shipping/freight costs if you are not bringing the vehicle to the UK yourself. If you have any questions about the Customs Declaration Service, please call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434 and choose option five. The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm at weekends. For information on how to find a Customs Agent, please use the following link: So it would seem 5% V.A.T. is payable if I bring it back myself with it being over 30 years old? I still haven't been sent any further Photo's from the Seller or info on who restored it and what was done yet so I'm not doing anymore if I don't get a response PS - It seems with some of these groups on Facebook you never get a reply off the seller, although this seller did promise to send me more photo's and info. Gary

Can anyone confirm the laws regarding paying V.A.T. on re-importing a classic car back to the UK. I've been sent details of a Vitesse that's for sale over on the Channel Isles, which was originally a UK Car, I've had a look at the Government website regarding importing goods back into the UK but don't fully understand the rules One section states if you exported the car you can re-import it back without paying a V.A.T. charge, but what about if a new owner re-imports it? Also someone's told me they believe anything over 30 years old is exempt. Anyone bought a car outside the UK Recently (After Brexit) and re-imported it who knows the facts Thanks Gary

The car was sold on E-Bay yesterday for the asking price I had a friend from the Vitesse Facebook group I know who lives locally inspect the car for me on Saturday (Thanks Chris) He told me it was in excellent original condition, drove very well when he went on the Test Drive being tight and rattle free and to quote him "I would have bought the car Gary for the £8k asking price if I didn't already own one" The reason for the sale was the elderly owner had recently lost his licence so couldn't drive anymore Two things put me off, the main one was the fact it needed a respray and also no Overdrive was fitted I know how expensive professional resprays can be, even if you do some of the removing and replacement of the Lights, trim etc, I also know I would end up spending even more money on re-chroming, new Lights, Etc to match the shiny paint. So the search goes on, details on a nice car located in the Channel Islands have been sent to me, it was a UK Car exported out there a few years ago apparently and was professional restored, I've asked again for more photo's and info on the Restoration and the Company that did it, nothing as yet. However, I've read you may have to pay 20% V.A.T. if I return the car back to the UK but I'm not 100% sure if this is correct, anyone know the laws on paying V.A.T. on re-imported cars? Gary

Yes, I know how much you can pay for Resprays, even if you try and do some of the preparatory work yourself? I'll wait and see what feedback I get but it doesn't look hopeful? Gary