GFL

Another vote for Moulded Carpets from me, although the Carpet Pile type is not exactly the same as per the originals, they are well made, hard wearing and a great fit on the Herald/Vitesse range? One tip, if you want a set buy via one of the usual suppliers, Canley's, James Paddocks, Etc, it will be cheaper than direct off Newton Commercial the manufacturers Regards Gary

It's TD Fitchetts at Telford, they've been selling off N.O.S. stuff for several months now?

Iain As far as I'm aware Saloon & Convertible badges are all the same on all models of Vitesse? The Mk2 Vitesse was fitted with the Rear Fluted Boot panel finished in a Satin Silver colour, the Number Plate Cowl was fitted with a Reversing Light on all 2 Litre Vitesse's. The Mk2 Vitesse however had the Chrome Vitesse badge added to the Cowl as there was no other Vitesse badge to the rear? The Chrome GB badge is none standard on my old car however and the Boot panel is probably not the exact same shade of silver as originally used Hope this clarifies things? Gary

Iain A few photo's, one of the Press cars and my old Vitesse showing Original Badge types and positions for a Mk2 Vitesse? Regards Gary

Pete My carb is fitted with a manual choke, I was told this wasn't required for cold starting by the PO as it caused flooding when he tried to use it? The car used to start fine when cold, it just needed a bit of revving for a minute or so, then it would settle down and Idle smoothly. I think the idle speed is set by adjusting the Idle Needle, some Holley's have two idle adjustment (4 Barrels) but I think mine only as the one with it being a 2 Barrel. I will try and find time at the weekend to remove and clean the Idle needle and opening, I didn't remove it when I changed all the other items If there's no improvement, I may bite the bullet and get it booked in with a local specialist I know. I've been told by Holley Tech department to check the vacuum readings, but I don't have a suitable gauge Regards Gary

Pete Thanks for the response, I've attached a PDF breakdown of the 2300 range Carburettors Parts. Do you think it may be a gummed up or sticking Idle needle as Item 42 that is causing the stalling? Gary Holley 2300 Parts.pdf

Hi All Can anyone offer advice on Holley Carburettors? I'm experiencing difficult starting from cold (but once warmed up the car starts first turn of the key), occasional stalling on idle and hesitation/hunting when running on very light throttle settings. The car runs fine when accelerating through the gears and cruising at 60/70 MPH. I have set the float height in line with the Holley instructions, but have not adjusted anything else. I have recently rebuilt the carb after having Over fuelling issues, fitting a new Needle Valve, Power Valve and Accelerator Pump Diaphragms, together with cleaning everything and fitting all new gaskets, so not sure if it's something I've done. The Carb is a 2300 Range 2 Barrel 350CFM Type fitted to a small block Ford V8 Engine. I'm thinking it's something to do with the carburettor, due to the fact the car runs fine most of the time, it's just the stalling and hesitation/hunting on light throttle setting Any advice welcomed Gary

I think the biggest annoyance for me is the car parking charge, last time I attended the Classic Restoration show at the NEC I took 3 Passengers to share the cost of the Parking? I won't be attending this year, what with Wholesale Gas prices up 37% for November alone (according to the BBC News), Car fuel prices rising fast (If you can get it?) and inflation at 3% and rising too, I need to start saving for that event at the end of December. I don't want to mention the 'C' Word yet?!!😵😄😀 Gary

Hi All Anyone off to the Lancaster Insurance Classic car show in November? I have been a couple of times in the past (Several years ago mind), but now feel the show is too expensive Advance entry tickets look to be £29.50 per person for Saturday/Sunday (£36 on Friday?) with car parking £12 in advance (£16 on the day) Anyone attending this year Gary

I've got one of the Enamel Metal Signs with the same logo up in my garage🙂

Paul Here's a Mayflower, the Headlamps are incorporated into the Wings more? Regards

Reckon that's a Triumph Renown, not a Mayflower? Gary

Mark If you want the info on what modifications are involved in fitting the Koni 80-1717 dampers and the best place to buy them, send me a private message to confirm your E-Mail address and I will send you all the details? Regards Gary

Hi Mark I know a bit about fitting Telescopic Dampers to the rear of a Mk2 Vitesse, I fitted some Koni Classic 80-1717 Model Dampers (Actually meant for the front of a 1960's Mini) to my Vitesse, using the Chassis Extensions brackets as my car was fitted with the Standard Rotoflex couplings. It was a bit of a faff modifying the bushing at the top but they worked well and I never experienced any bottoming out of the suspension, even when 4 up. I was told by Koni the Open and closed lengths of these damper are 296mm to 218mm The Standard Koni Dampers listed for the Vitesse range (Excluding Mk2) are there Model number 80-1389 (which I suspect are the same for the Herald/Spitfire/GT6) these are what you can purchase off the usual suppliers, these are rated at 316mm Open and 246mm closed. I suspect the Spax Dampers you have fitted will be a similar Open/Closed length as the Koni 80-1389. If you fit the top of dampers to the standard Chassis mount you should be ok? Attached is the Info on the Koni dampers, if you e-mail or Phone Spax quoting the part number, they should be able to confirm the Open/closed lengths Regards Gary 80-1717.pdf 80-1389.pdf

I know with the vinyl hoods you can get a bit of stretch by carefully heating with an hot air gun? Not sure about Canvas though, hoods do shrink with age but it sounds like yours is new. You maybe able to remove the front header rail seal and unscrew the retaining rail, carefully remove the material from the header rail (It should be glued?) then adjust slightly to give you a bit of slack but it if its been cut so there is no slack then it might be a new hood I'm afraid?☹️ Gary

There is some advice on the Canley Classic website regarding the spacers, I've never fitted one myself but believe you need to remove the spring and you will also need longer studs if you fit the 1" spacer, you may get away with reusing the original studs with the 1/2" and 3/4" sizes, the spacers are I believe meant for the original early Models with standard swing axles. I presume your late Mk3 GT6's is fitted with the Swing spring arrangement as per the later Spitfires, if so, I'm not sure you can fit a spacer with this arrangement? It sounds like the spring is simply too stiff, I had the opposite problem on my Vitesse Mk2, with two reproduction springs being too soft and sagging, one of these was from Rimmers☹️. I ended up purchasing a good condition original Mk2 Vitesse spring, stripping it and refurbishing with new thrust buttons, bolts and a new coat of paint. How many leaves does the spring have? This is a copy and paste on the subject from the Club Triumph site "Canleys achieve it by using the correct spring! FYI there are two swing spring springs. 159640 which is short shaft Spitfire MKIV 159654 which is long shaft MKIV, 1500, GT6 MKIII In the flesh they look very similar, but in practice they are very different beasts. Use a 159640 on a GT6 and it would drag it's arse. Use a (proper) 159654 on a short shaft MKIV and it would sit high in the air. We use 159640 on our early Spitfire swing spring conversions, and 159654 on Herald, and early Vitesse conversions. Using a 159654 on short shaft saloon conversions compensates for any extra weight. As far as I'm aware we currently have the only supply on correctly specified 159654 (and it's been that way for a while). The market is currently awash with cheap and cheerful repro springs, but fortunately they haven't tried to copy the 159654. However there are at least 3 repro 159640 springs out there, that's why the price has tumbled on them in comparison to all other types of small chassis rear springs. One of the repro 159640 in particular is rubbish. We bought a small batch of them to evaluate based on the fact that we would no longer be able to compete with everyone else's retails. Joe fitted one to his Vitesse and we watched it droop ever lower on it's way around the recent Auto Ecose. It's to the point now where it needs replacing with a 159654, and it only did one event! Beware anyone selling 159640HD, or anyone telling you there's only one type of spring that fit's swing spring car's because patently that's not correct". Gary

Doesn't sound too excessive to me, my fully rebuilt Vitesse engine needed half a litre every 1000 miles or so. Maybe a clean and check of the Pipes to and from the Smiths emission valve and also check the rubber diaphragm in the valve is in good order with regards to the smoking when idling If the car is performing well with good oil pressure I wouldn't be too concerned. Gary

What a Beauty, there can't me many GT6's with this mileage? https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-09-25/cars/ref-119-1974-triumph-gt6-mk-iii-mrp/

All the Bonds sold, the Prototype for £843, the Others for only £787 and £506? All Bargains I reckon, as they looked very Original and unmolested? I hope they all get restored and not broken for spares☹️ Gary

Paul I believe the capping's and dash were both veneered, that looks like you will have to carefully remove all the old veneer and then re-veneer them and re-varnish if you want to have a go yourself? People have got excellent results similar to the original finish by using a Plastic type coating, I can't remember the name of it (Rustin's maybe?) but I'm sure someone will advise or do a search on the Forum Site I sent mine away to be refurbished by a Company called Chapman & Cliff who are ex Rolls Royce guys and they made an excellent job of the capping's and the Dash, but your probably talking around £200 to get both capping's done these days, or more if you have a saloon☹️ Regards Gary

I would recommend either Dynax S50 or Dinitrol 3125 Rust Proofing fluids I've used both previously on my current classic and the Dinitrol on all my previous Triumphs Best to warm the cans up in a bucket of hot water for half an hour or so before application, the Dynax S50 is available in larger 750 ML Aerosol cans and they come with a long wand/lance so you can apply into all area of the box sections If treating a chassis on its own best to turn it over after application and do all the area's again so you ensure full coverage Its a very messy job so paper overalls, gloves and eye protection are a must and put something underneath to catch the excess as it runs out!

Adrian I've read in the Graham Robson book on the Herald/Vitesse range that the twin Stromberg's on the new manifold gave an increase in power of around 12 to 14 BHP. I don't think Standard Triumph ever advertised the fact though, the Triumph 2000 range also used the Twin Stromberg's from 1963 onwards so I think it just made sense from a financial point of view to rationalise on the CD150 Stromberg Carburettors? The Twin Solex unit were never that efficient or reliable, the Air Cleaner and inlet manifold arrangement was always a bit of a compromise and not the most efficient system Gary

Pete Yes I thought the prices were a tad optimistic, but it is Beaulieu! The prototype Bond may fetch a good price though due to it being a one off according to the Blurb. I've e-mailed Guy Singleton the Bond register contact, I hope they all get saved and restored as they look very original and unmolested, they even look like they have the original Hoods? They are all rare cars these days and need saving. Gary

Some interesting Bond cars for sale at the upcoming Beaulieu Autojumble, it looks like most have been off the road stored for 40 plus years!! https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26811/

Great Photo's I attended on the Sunday and was very impressed with the show, it was great to see all the remaining Rally TR4's lined up and I also saw my old Vitesse and met up with the owner Martin😀. The guy from Northern Ireland driving the MG Midget in the Auto-solo was most impressive too! Gary