Chris Longhurst

Link to a MAROnline (Mode Auto Review) article on model replica Dinky Toys Triumph Heralds:- https://www.maronline.org.uk/dinky-189-triumph-herald-replicas-and-replicars/ Chris 78/00350

I get a header "Nuala Dowie's Facebook account hacked >" (white letters on an orange background) when I use the forum, does anyone else get this? I'm not going to open the message as I suspect a scam (I do not use Facebook) of some sort Chris

Not long after submitting the article on the Jimson 'utility' saloons to MARonline I obtained a Fire Chief saloon (plus Sirens) with a (tatty) box. I 'repaired' the box & wrote up the find for MARonline. Link attached. https://www.maronline.org.uk/jimson-triumph-herald-utility-saloons-emergency-call-packaging/ Chris 78/00350

Like most plastic Hong Kong toys they are very rare - I have records of ~14 over the past 35 years (eBay, toy fairs) and I had 5 of them when I wrote the article! A few weeks after submitting the article I found a boxed (very tatty box) Fire Chief example which I have written up & submitted to MARonline after 'renovating' the box!

Link to an article I wrote for MARonline on 'Hong-Kong' Jimson Triumph Herald ‘Utility’ Saloons – Fire Chief, Police and Ambulance in all their (discoloured) plastic glory! https://www.maronline.org.uk/jimson-triumph-herald-utility-saloons-fire-chief-police-and-ambulance/ Chris 78/00350

Hi Roger - Someone was going to hijack this tread! And its me with some pictures of a 'Aland Island Post' model 1/43rd scale Triumph Spitfire III (Corgi brand) - it looks like it was part of a series of models. I was wondering why a Spitfire was chosen as one of the models! Chris

I was re-reading the article by Finn-Adam in Courier #520 pp12-15 October 2023 on 'odometers/speedometers' & noticed the 13/60 was listed both with 'normal' 4.11 diff and a 4.55 diff. As I had not heard of a 4.55 diiff. for a 13/60 before I had a quick look in my 13/60 Parts Manual (2nd edition). Sure enough it is there (Stanpart #214683 for the 4.11 and 214687 for the 4.55 diff.) The 4.55 was listed as for Hong Kong and Special Orders. Any idea why 1. Hong Kong 13/60s need a 'special diff.' (I did check and 1200 Heralds only had 4.11 in my early Parts Manual)? 2. For those ordering a 4.55 diff. in other countries - why would they want this ? (both mile & km 'speedos' are available to suit the 4.55 ratio) Just curious ! Chris

Link to an article I wrote for MAR online on (very) small scale Triumph Heralds. https://www.maronline.org.uk/small-scale-triumph-herald-models/ Chris 78/00350

Link to MARonline article on a recent 1/43rd resin model of the Vitesse 2L MkII from Matrix https://www.maronline.org.uk/matrix-143-triumph-vitesse-convertible-2-litre-mark-ii/ Chris 78/00350

Link to a MARonline article on 1/43rd Alpine Rally model Spitfires may be of interest. https://www.maronline.org.uk/triumph-works-rally-spitfire-at-the-coupe-des-alpes-1964/ Chris

I used Plus Gas for years & changed to WD40 thinking it was a penetrating oil - it is a poor penetrating fluid but very good for displacing water, protecting from rust. cleaning painted metal, removing sticky labels from glass & pottery, etc., etc!! I went back to Plus Gas for freeing nuts (I'm sure the one JohnD recommends is also good) Chris

Link attached to an article I wrote for MARonline (Model Auto Review) about Max Derrez's 1/43rd resin model of the Herald 1200 Hatchback prototype 'Hatchback/Fastback' that was 'rescued' by Chris Gunby. https://www.maronline.org.uk/triumph-herald-1200-hatchback-prototype/ Chris 78/00350

The rear seat was an 'Optional Extra' for the Herald coupe - cost £14.3.4d back in the day according to Mike Costigan's originality guide - he described it as 'a surprisingly popular optional ,considering the minimal headroom for back seat passengers'. I'm not sure if the back seat from the saloon/sedan fits - probably slightly too big but I do not have measurements to hand. Chris

I would agree with the 'mistrike' theory turning GE to GF In other 'interesting' news - the Commission (Chassis) # GA18376DL was originally from a saloon. Although the body type is described as a Convertible the DL suffix identifies it as a 'DeLuxe' saloon; convertibles have a CV suffix. I would not be too concerned - my 1200 Convertible is on a saloon chassis frame & bulkhead - something I did in the late 1980s as, although the convertible rear tub was very good, the chassis & front bulkhead were beyond my repair capabilities. The biggest challenge was putting the hooks for the hood catches in the top of the saloon bulkheads windscreen surround - I can't remember exactly how I did it!! I had no problem registering the change with the DVLA (or whatever they were called back then) Chris (78/00350)

Unfortunately the white rubber bumpers go brittle with age - you are very likely to break lumps off the bumpers! The last time I did this job - in the 1990s (on the rear of the car only) I removed the rear chrome over-riders & end caps, lubricated (poss.WD40?) behind the bumpers & carefully knocked them off with a block of wood & a mallet. Good luck. I was watching a programme called (I think) 'Repair Lot' on Freeview 'Dave' on Sunday & I watched the bumpers fall apart as they tried to remove them from a late 1200 saloon (or Coupe as they kept calling it)- new ones were required. Chris

Interesting MARonline article on the history Triumph Spitfire 4 Mk1 '412 VC' with very nice 1/43rd models. "One of the first Triumph Spitfires and the first works racing car". https://www.maronline.org.uk/triumph-spitfire-4-mark1-412-vc/ Chris

Interesting MARonline article on on the history Triumph Spitfire 4 Mk1 '412 VC' with very nice 1/43rd models. "One of the first Triumph Spitfires and the first works racing car". https://www.maronline.org.uk/triumph-spitfire-4-mark1-412-vc/ Chris

In a previous article for MARonline (Model Auto Review) I wrote about UK 12/50 'sunroof' saloons and models; in the follow up article I look at some of the 'Overseas' variations. It mainly covers 'real' cars as very few models exist. https://www.maronline.org.uk/trumph-herald-12-50-1963-1968-part-2-overseas-versions/ Chris 78/00350

Interesting article in MAROnline (Model Auto Review) on the rallies that Valerie Pirie drove for the 'Stirling Moss Automobile Racing Team' in ADU 467B - with a model in the livery of each rally. Link:- https://www.maronline.org.uk/works-rally-triumph-spitfire-143-scale-code-3-model/ Chris

The Haynes Manual was my go to back in the late 70s/80s & guided me through engine rebuilds as well as suspension, brake & gearbox work. My original copy was so oil stained I had to buy a new copy!!

Thanks for the 'Onion Board' tip - not noticed those before!

ahebron is right - plenty of Herald 948/1200 '1/32nd kits - the saloon in both plastic (Airfix) & Resin and the coupe (ribbed roof) in resin; the resin ones generally look like they have been based on the Airfix 'template; but there are very few Herald 13/60s or Vitesses. In the two attached photos you can see my 1/32 Slot Car Coupes. In the first a Coffee & White and Signal Red Coupe examples - both in very nice condition. In the second photo a Powder Blue and White coupe and, best of all, a Signal Red and White representation of the smooth roof Monte Carlo 1960 Works Coupe #283. I was very fortunate to find this as a 'Buy It Now' on eBay for £75. The parts alone would have cost that and the workmanship, paint & decals are superb. There is even a fly (or is it for snow as it was the Monte Carlo Rally?!) deflector in place across the bonnet! Chris

Although I am not a 'slot car' racer I do have some slot cars in my Herald/Vitesse model collection. Two of these are Vitesses. The White one is based on a modified Herald Saloon Airfix kit and was sold as 'well raced' (Photos. 1a & 1b). The Green one (Photos 2a & 2b) is in very nice condition - possibly based on a 'onewthirtysecond' kit. Chris

Josef's post reminded me of an interesting site 'The Motor Museum in Miniature' - well worth a visit if you have time to spare! https://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/ https://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/the-british-collection.php https://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/1959-triumph-herald-948cc-coupe.php https://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/1959-triumph-herald-saloon.php Chris

Apologies Josef - you answered the question in the intro. I was engrossed in the pictures!!