GFL

I would be very wary of trying to spread the wishbone, I believe they are cast and you are likely to break something. I would do as Trigolf suggest and put the vertical link in a vice and then try and fit the assembly using a soft faced hammer (Nylon/Copper) to hammer the wishbone over the vertical link. Another option is to use a couple of 'G' Cramps to compress the bushes whilst trying to fit the wishbone onto the vertical link. If all this fails, then maybe carefully grinding or machining 1mm off each side of the vertical link may be the only option. Gary

Pete I've read in the past that two types of Vertical link castings where supplied for rotoflex cars, could one be slightly wider for some reason? Have a read of this link

Pete You are fighting against the Rotoflex coupling, I've seen people use ratchet straps to pull the top of the vertical link inwards so you can get the bolt through the vertical link and spring eye. If I remember correctly, I levered the top of the vertical link inwards somehow and used an old spring eye bolt which had a point ground into it, this was hammered through when the holes were nearly aligned, another pair of hands is useful if you don't have ratchet straps. You can then knock through carefully from the opposite side your new spring eye bolt. The lower wishbone was in position as was the UJ onto the Differential and the trailing arm too. Oh the joys of Rotoflex suspension!! Hope the above makes sense? Gary

You really need to remove the spring to check it properly for damage? I know the thicker Anti-roll bar on the later Spitfires can do strange things to the rear camber with the Swing springs, but I've never seen it before on Heralds or Vitesse's A good wire brushing and you should be able to see any broken leaves. The dimension of a Mk2 Spring in good condition are around 1012mm Eye to eye when removed or not under tension, the free arc height is around 165mm from the floor to the centre underside when resting in its normal position on a flat floor. Have you got a spring lifting tool for removal and replacement of the spring? Spring Lifter Dimensions.pdf

This car started it all off for me way back in 1981, that was the then owner a guy called John Gregory, we are still close friends I still keep in touch with the present custodian now, these cars can get under your skin🤔 Gary

Yes, I noticed that. Maybe they are getting mixed up with the 18/50 Dolomite? Gary

Brown was a surprisingly popular colour in the 1970's and I thought it was making a comeback a few years ago too, heavens knows why in both cases? PS - Apologies to owners of Brown cars!!🫣 Gary

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166598806517?itmmeta=01HPP047GWXW1Z09C2QWVF61AY&hash=item26ca100bf5:g:Dr8AAOSwmatlzNZS

Hi Pete Can you compare and measure the new Diff and Mounting plate with your old to see if the front plate is indeed bent slightly on one side? Then maybe a bit of gentle persuasion with a Birmingham screwdriver and a wooden block maybe required😁 Gary

Good luck with it and keep us posted on progress Here's a photo of what it could look like for inspiration☺️ Gary

I enjoyed the day although we had to Queue for 20 minutes or so on the main road from Stoneleigh to get onto site. I didn't see any Vitesse's for sale, although the modified Blue Spitfire in the Main Entrance Hall was fabulous. I also saw three cars parked in the corner of the White Marquee stall which may have been for sale, but no Vitesse's Did anyone see any other cars listed for sale anywhere else? Gary

I think the original earth connection was from the Grease nipple/bolt item 35 on this still to the underside of the Steering Rack 'U' Clamp Item 53/55 nuts. Like Pete says, you need to make sure there is a clean connection to the chassis with the Clamp/Nut, or alternatively use a one of the bolts on the Engine Gary

It's a bit over my Budget!😬

It looks gorgeous with the top up too?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315140512966?hash=item495fd69cc6:g:g9MAAOSw5uJivGYQ

Pete There is a car in the garage, trouble is it's the Mrs's Nissan Micra!!😁 I'm still looking daily too, another one's appeared on Auto-trader but Red's not one of my Fav colours. PS - I've just renewed my wanted Advert in CCW for about the 12th time! Gary

I just had to share this, it was my birthday yesterday and to my delight the Mrs sorted me a Cake out😊 Marvellous😁 Gary

Colin I'm going in the hope a decent Vitesse Convertible might be for sale, or I may get to hear of one that soon will be? The last few times I've been there are normally a dozen or so cars of all types with for sale signs near the Main Entrance. It's also good to catch up with fellow Triumph Enthusiast too, although N.O.S. parts are getting thinner and thinner on the ground every year. I'll let you know how I get on. Regards Gary

I shall be attending this hoping to find a nice Vitesse for sale and to have a general look around for Triumph Stuff. Anyone else on here going? Gary

Yes, I agree it looks like a Rootes group part for the Alpine or Minx/Rapier range They are quite sought after, it's a shame you don't have a pair. Gary

I always wondered what they looked like? Why oh why don't Newton Commercial remanufacture these, there must be a market for them. Gary

Spotted this on E-Bay for anyone considering restoring a late Vitesse Convertible? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276306093088?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D259707%26meid%3Da67b36802a35483d9c03b9a65e044459%26pid%3D101770%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D276306093088%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2&_trksid=p4375194.c101770.m146925&_trkparms=parentrq%3A5a25875e18d0a8ccb3f39f92ffff3268|pageci%3A6d87ae13-bf63-11ee-a3f0-3aa3bcd1721c|iid%3A1|vlpname%3Avlp_homepage Regards Gary

I've decided not to pursue this particular car, I made an offer (What I thought was a reasonable one bearing in mind the various issues and faults with it) and have been poo pooed by the owner! Weighing everything up, the Block & Crank could well be scrap and I just don't need all the hassle and work that's involved with it at the moment. As stated, I'm hoping more cars will be listed soon as we edge towards Spring/Summer Gary

I went back in August to view a nice Black Vitesse 6 Saloon, it ended up selling for £8K plus premiums which was too much for me. They also had a some Barn find AC's for sale at the time, it was an interesting day out. Gary

Colin I do like the history on the car with one Original buyer, then it became a family owned car for 40+ years (Wife then Husband) within the same village as the current owner, he's got the original bill of sale together with all the M.O.T.'s back to 1976 to prove the mileage which appeals to me (although it's not done the engine any favours!) The bodywork and panel fit are both excellent, which again appeals. I have a budget in mind on what I think an A1+ Vitesse is worth these days and at the moment the guys asking near on what I think an A1+ Car is worth even though mechanically it has numerous faults, the worst being the engine and I believe it needs £3K to £4K minimum spending on it mechanically and no doubt I will find more when I start digging. I've been looking for a decent one now since last July and although unrestored original cars do seem to turn up occasionally (I saw a nice Cherry Red Mk1 2 Litre sell on E-Bay last September for £8k) they are getting rarer. If I didn't have so much on at home with D.I.Y. Projects I may be a bit keener, but I just know when I start working on it I'll end up getting carried away and will want it to be fault free and reliable. I need to have a further think about it, I don't believe he's going to advertise the car for sale properly till spring anyway, so it may well appear on E-Bay or the Car and Classic site then. Another option is to get one that's been fully restored to a good original standard, this may cost more initially but work out cheaper in the long run? PS - I was considering getting a Z3 Last year but have set my heart on another Vitesse now. Gary