Chris Longhurst

I've just remembered that I do have a model of a LotSW Herald '1200' Convertible on a (rather hideous to me) Danbury Mint LotSW diorama called 'There will be trouble ahead' (or something similar). I purchased it, I think, back in the early 2000s & decided it would be a dust gathering object that was best stored in the back of a wardrobe!!

A few more pictures of the ubiquitous LHD saloon WVC 934; although Herald Coupe production started in mid Jan 1959 production of saloons did not commence until mid. March. This may be the reason for the 1958 prototype being used in early publicity shots. 1. On an advert 2. On a book cover 3-6 Screenshots from a launch film (BMIT)

Picture 1 of a Dealer postcard from 1959. The car is the LHD saloon WVC 934 (prototype X619) which was built in mid-1958; you may need a magnifying glass to see the #plate! On the back of the card (Picture 2) is a dealer invite to take the car in for an inspection and the Halifax dealers address. The card was posted on the 29 Nov 1959 & date stamped by the dealer/garage on the 30th - quick delivery for 2 old pence! Also included (Picture 3) is an image of the back of another car (same garage) posted on 26th Nov 1959 and received on the 30th. The card has a 3d stamp - I think the owner overpaid & in my mind, at that time, postcards were cheaper & the 3d stamp was for letters.

Link to MARonline article on the Dinky Toys Triumph Herald - this first part covers the 'standard' shop issues. I'll cover the relationship with Standard-Triumph & the promotional Dinky Heralds in later articles. https://www.maronline.org.uk/dinky-toys-189-triumph-herald-saloon-part-1-standard-issues/ Chris 78/00350

Not a period photo as such but an illustration from the Oct 1963 'Paint Colour Pamphlet' of the rustproofing and paint sequence for the Herald.

It doesn't help with WRH 132J appearing with both 1200 & 13/60 bonnets http://www.triumphheraldconvertible.co.uk/wordpress/last-of-the-summer-wine/ After Corgi released their LotSW 13/60 Convertible with the Edie Pegden figure I had a 'cunning plan' to make a 1200 version by sticking together a front end from a Corgi Vanguards 1200 saloon with the rear end from a Corgi Vanguards 13/60 CV. I've still got the parts cars - I was put off by not really being able to pin down the 'correct' registration number for the 1200!

Last on the market (at least to my knowledge) in June 2021. https://www.tennants.co.uk/discover/news-insights/last-of-the-summer-wine-triumph-herald-sells-for-16-500/ There was also a 1200 LotSW 1200 convertible - possibly other as well!

I think the 'leopard' was a cheetah - I still would not want that in the back of the car!

This 1966 pic. (from Ebay some weeks ago) titled 'An Incident' intrigued me. The real title could be either:- (judging from the number of onlookers on the bank) 'How many soldiers does it take to change a Herald wheel?' or:- (Driver to soldier) "The box of of explosives in the boot is just to give extra weight to improve the rear camber"

Surprised to see peace loving 'mop top' John Lennon in a Herald 1200 convertible with the registration 485 WAR !!!

Link to MARonline article:- https://www.maronline.org.uk/more-hong-kong-triumph-spitfires-part-2-mego-and-6125/ Chris

All this talk of Atlas Vans reminds me that one (modified as a 'caravanette') drove across Africa from Cape Town to Tangier in 1958 with the two Herald prototypes. I'm not very familiar with Atlas Vans - was the 'Africa' one the same as the models discussed above and was it a 'standard' Standard Atlas (other than the side windows) or was is modified (engine, drive, suspension ??) to cope with the journey?

I was watching Talking Pictures TV last night (Freeview 82) and there was a 'Look at Life' called 'Against the Clock' featuring the 1960 RAC rally - I did not spot any Triumphs but it was 'blink & you will miss it' documentary! I think this link will take you to TPTV-Encore (streaming) - worth a watch for 10 minutes of old car fun. https://www.tptvencore.co.uk/Video/Look-At-Life-Against-the-Clock?id=e0edf162-712c-4488-9f5f-2b827765ba01

I think you are correct Mike - I wrote an article for the Courier a few years back to review the 2 later saloon prototypes. I think that LHD WRW 404 was also used by The Motor for their road test (although the interior shots in their article are of a RHD car). Text to the article attached along with a couple of shots of my 1/32nd resin models (the bonnet handles are modified door handles from the 1/32nd Airfix Herald kit!). A busy time for two Herald prototype saloons.docx

I think it is the toy equivalent of a go-faster stripe!!

Straying away from Triumphs 1. Me in a bicycle sidecar (early 1950s) - can you believe that my Dad (with me in the sidecar) and Mum on her bike would cycle from Alton in Hampshire to Hayling Island (35 miles at a guess) for a day trip to the seaside back in the 1950s! 2. My first car was pedal car - does anyone recognise the model ?

Eldest daughter, son and youngest cleaning the 'family TH estate' in 1988. At the time I ran a 1200 saloon for the winter months and a 1200 convertible for the summer (daily commutes to work). The Estate was used for weekends & holidays (2 bolster seats for the older kids and a shaped seat for the youngest) - I even fitted rear seat belts. The 'renovation' of the estate was featured in Courier articles in the mid-1980s when I was Register Secretary. It became somewhat cramped so for holidays so I eventually rented a Montego for a few weeks from the local Austin-Rover dealer. In early 1990s I moved jobs & ended up with a company car (Volvo) which solved the space problem!

Oldest daughter with TH convertible in 79/80 - as far as I could make out the black stripe was dealer applied from new; the car was originally Jonquil Yellow but I repainted it with Parsons Enamel Repaint by brush in ~ 1977!

https://www.standardmotorclub.org.uk/ I think they set up a new server - this may work (although I preferred the old site!)

Link to a recent article I wrote for MAR online on Laurie and Petrel brand Spitfires https://www.maronline.org.uk/laurie-and-petrel-triumph-spitfires/ Chris 78/00350

Can non-members (subscribers) of the TSSC use this forum ? If so how do they 'register' Thanks - Chris 78/00350

After reading the Monte Carlo article in MARonline, Mike Costigan (ex TSSC Archivist), kindly sent me the attached file listing Triumph Heralds that participated in 1959 and early 1960s rallies. He was happy for it to be posted on the Club forum. As with all of these lists there are still gaps so if anyone has any additional information please let me know. Chris 78/00350 Mike Costigan - Heralds in Rallying.xls

MARonline article on real cars and models for the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally . https://www.maronline.org.uk/triumph-heralds-in-the-1960-monte-carlo-rally/ Chris 78/00350

Thanks Pete; all 2019 and Jan-June 2020 are not showing up when I open the link - are they not yet uploaded or is it a 'glitch' with my laptop? Thanks - Chris

Vintage Voltage is back with a new series on UK Freeview (Quest - 114 (HD), 12 (SD) in my area) next Thursday (27th Jan) at 2100.