SixasStandard

That is a neat looking unit Colin, could I ask where you found the picture? Ian

Thanks Colin, The one with the Police Officers is a bit 'out there'...……..you'd expect the car itself to be the main focus of the advert, with the Police perhaps as admiring onlookers in the background. I'm obviously missing something...…….or perhaps it has something to do with the psychedelic drugs that were doing the rounds in the advertising agencies back then!! Ian

Thanks Clive/Dave, There's certainly a lot of material out there! I've not seen the Ad featuring the Lotus before, and what a complete contrast to the Harley Street Ronnie Corbett offering. This one has excellent visual appeal and composition with a completely unambiguous message...…….even the Marshal is a masterclass!!…….note the military bearing, carefully trimmed moustache, pipe and well polished Barkers...…...takes you back to when the streets were full of such men, rather than the dishevelled 'refugee camp' look that seems to prevail nowadays. Ian

Hello All, Does anyone know if there is an archive anywhere of Triumph car adverts? by which I mean the sort of advertising produced in newspapers and magazines? For some reason I find this stuff fascinating, primarily because in many cases they are just so awful!! The example below was sent to me recently by a good friend, and had me scratching my head a bit. The message seems to me to be a bit confused. The basic premise of the advert is the sporty performance of the Vitesse in comparison to other competitors more readily identified as 'sports cars'...….and yet the image is of someone who looks remarkably like Ronnie Corbett wearing a bowler hat, and presumably meant to be a Doctor (it is Harley Street after all). I don't imagine that this demographic was ever one to feature particularly highly in the sales of Vitesses, so what is it trying to say?? I suppose it could be alluding to the idea that 'looks can be deceptive'?...…...i.e. bowler hatted Gastroenterologist by day......speed loving road racer prowling the streets in search of unsuspecting MGs and Sunbeams in his spare time...………. who knows?? Ian

Blimey Clive!!……..a 20 year old Wife?...….that must be very tiring (well......from what I can remember anyway!). Ian

Paul, That sounds about right, I'm paying 104 quid with Classicline inclusive of breakdown recovery service. Ian

Thanks guys. Colin - Thanks for the pictures, and for your observation regarding the downward stance of the speaker in some of the consoles, which is an issue that I hadn't considered. Richard - I share your doubts about the suitability of the LAT72 unit based on the available space. Further research has unearthed a picture of what appears to be a Stanpart console designed along similar lines to the LAT72, but with a reverse angled speaker face and trim that looks designed to mate with the trans tunnel box. Bearing this in mind I don't imagine that the Lat72 as used in the Alpine was ever fitted in a Triumph model. That being the case I won't attempt to use it in my car. The Mk1 2 litre Vitesse that I'm picking up next week has a rather ugly plastic box housing the current Sparkomatic radio/cassette under the passenger side of the dash. This unit feeds speakers in the rear quarter trim panels. As I'll be replacing the interior panels with the correct Mk1 versions in OE black it gives me the opportunity to rethink the current set up in its entirety. It would be nice to have something which looks period correct and authentic, but perhaps with a more modern hardware solution behind the façade. I have yet to make a decision on the actual hardware, but as for the console...….. the Stanpart console pictured below looks interesting. I take Colin's point regarding sound quality, but I suspect that some concealed speakers mounted elsewhere would improve sound quality. I haven't even picked the car up yet, and I'm already loosening the purse strings! Ian

Hello All, I am lucky enough to have a rare original Smiths LAT72 radio console, as fitted as an option to Series Sunbeam Alpines '63-'68. Now I'm sure that I've seen a picture of something very similar fitted to a Vitesse (but perhaps with a slightly different mounting arrangement), so wondered if any Vitesse owners (past or present) on the Forum have ever fitted one of these to their car? Thanks, Ian

Thanks to all contributors for your insights, all of which have been noted. Ian

Hello All, I am in the process of organizing insurance cover for the Vitesse 2 litre Mk1 that I'm picking up next week. On recommendation I've gone through Classicline, but just wanted to compare notes with existing owners on their experiences with actual policy providers (as opposed to the Broker themselves, such as Classicline). What companies provide the best service when the worst happens and a claim is actually necessary? Obviously we need to be cautious about negative comments, so perhaps just positive experiences with companies that have actually performed in a professional, timely, and ethical manner? Any advice greatly appreciated. Ian

Every time my Wife accuses me of being a bit 'special' I log on to the Forum, it instantly reminds me that everything is relative! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. Ian

Google 'Derek and Clive Live, the worst job I ever had'...…….it will all become clear!

As long as it doesn't involve any Lobsters or Jayne Mansfield I can cope!!

Hello All, Having satisfied myself via the Forum that my own personal levels of quirkiness and dysfunction appear to be a good fit with you lot, I'm now ready to take the first faltering steps into TSSC membership. I'm due to collect my '68 Vitesse on the 9th January...…...my first Triumph of any description......so will no doubt be boring you all very shortly with lots of 'newbie' questions. Just to reassure you all, I have a totally clean record (all of the cases were dropped due to the disappearances of key witnesses), and only drink on days with a 'y' in them. I imagine that there'll be some sort of initiation ceremony? I'm picturing having to carry a Vitesse engine block through lines of senior members whilst being flogged with timing chains? Anyway, assuming that I don't get 'black balled'........when does membership run from? Is it a single renewal date for all members? in which case when should I be joining to get the full 12 month membership? Ian

Clive, thanks for the reminder regarding 'vitessesteve', I've got it saved on my favourites list, and it will definitely come in handy. A hardcopy is always useful for the workshop, but by the looks of my copy it certainly hasn't seen any front line action! On a separate matter...….thanks once again to you, 'Gearbox' Pete and Richard for your recent help down in Exeter. I would definitely have sealed the deal on that car if events hadn't transpired to point me in another direction. Ian

Hello Paul, Unfortunately I don't have a recommendation for you, but just wondered what has made you decide to get the head upgraded? With the mileage that I am likely to drive in an average year in my car I have decided to retain the standard head and add the appropriate petrol additive to 97 octane. As I've just bought a '68 2 Litre Mk1 Vitesse myself this whole question is of particular interest. Obviously if the head needs work anyway then it presents the most convenient opportunity to kill multiple birds with a single projectile...…….so was this your situation? Ian

Hello Colin, I've certainly noticed the same classic cars remaining unsold on the market for longer than normal recently, and wondered if the reason might be a 'market adjustment' rather than just the time of year? I imagine that there are plenty of people out there sitting on their hands at the moment rather than buying because of the unpredictability of the UK economy following Brexit. A classic car will always be a relatively expensive luxury hobby (well......compared to train spotting anyway!!) ……...so it wouldn't surprise me to see prices dropping for the next few years. If that is the case then there are going to be a lot of sellers faced with some pretty unpalatable decisions on pricing. I'd personally have mixed feelings if we are going through an adjustment. On the plus side I've felt that prices were getting ridiculous for some time now, pricing a lot of people out of the hobby...…….but on the flip side I do empathise with people that have bought at the peak of the market and then need to sell on the downside. Ian

It was the best of purchases it was the worst of purchases...……..ok, that's enough of the literary references! Best purchase of the week? a copy of the 'Complete Guide to Triumph Herald & Vitesse' by Mike Costigan for 8 quid on E-Bay (there's another currently listed for 48 quid!!)........but the worst purchase has turned out to be a copy of the spare parts catalogue #517786 for Vitesse 2 Litre Mk2 Models. It's in excellent unmarked condition, not covered with the usual oily thumb prints and tea mug stains, but unfortunately won't be much use to me now as I've bought a 2 Litre Mk1 Vitesse instead!! It's a long story...…..don't ask! Anyway, it owes me 18 quid including p+p, so if anyone wants it for the same price let me know, as I'm not looking to make a profit on the deal. Ian

When it comes to plastic storage containers you can't have enough of the things, and try to get them in various sizes if possible. I get the ones with 2 part hinged lids as they are much easier to get in and out of. If you have a Wilko store nearby they are an excellent source for these...…..particularly just after the Christmas period when they tend to sell them off cheap. Resealable plastic bags are also great for small parts and can be bought in bulk very cheaply on E-Bay. I don't tend to write on the bags themselves, as the writing can become smudged or illegible, whereas putting a slip of paper inside the bag with the relevant description has proved more successful for me. I take digital photos of everything and keep them filed on my laptop, grouping the pictures together logically in files with specific names...…….Engine...….Gearbox...….Ignition.....Fuel...…..etc etc. Take a picture of each component in place first, then removed, then dis-assembled. Good luck. Ian

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on your question, but in the final analysis the only way you're going to know for sure is to actually try each of the cars that you're interested in. The easiest way to accomplish that is to get in touch with your local TSSC group and go to their next meeting, there you're likely to meet owners of a variety of the models that you're interested in, all of whom I'm sure would be happy to let you try their cars for size. Just remember though, that being physically able to shoe horn yourself into a car isn't necessarily going to guarantee an enjoyable driving experience once you're there!! Ian

I've just noticed that the guy in the period advert is wearing a cravat...…….is that a requirement for Vitesse owners? Ian

Thanks for the responses guys...….once I have the car (early January hopefully) I'll nip it around to a local vehicle wrap business to get a quote. My preference would be for a black flash on the car's white paintwork, ending with the headlight surrounds. Ian

Hello All, When I acquire my '68 2 Litre Vitesse Mk1 (more on that to follow shortly)…….I would like to add a contrasting colour flash to the sides and headlight surrounds. Now this can obviously be accomplished by a paint shop (the route I imagine most people take)……...but has anyone ever tried the option of having a vehicle wrap type film applied to achieve the same effect? These films can be either temporary or permanent as I understand it, so could provide the opportunity to change the look of a car without permanently altering the existing paint finish. The HL surrounds are easy to do and to reverse with paint, but for the body panels this could be a solution perhaps. Thoughts? Ian

This suggestion may offend the sensibilities of a few people...…….but has anyone investigated the possibility of fitting BMW 3 Series/ Z3 gearboxes into a small chassis Triumph? I'm not basing this suggestion on ANY knowledge of the units concerned........beyond the fact of the relatively modest proportions of the earlier cars, the fact that they retain traditional longitudinal layout with rear wheel drive, 4 and 6 cylinder power plants, and capacities spanning those found in the Vitesse. The more modern BMW boxes also include 6 speed versions, and those capable of handling the high performance of the 'M' range cars. With so many 3 Series cars sold over the years you'd think that the supply of used boxes would be good...….although I imagine anything with a BMW badge (used or otherwise) would be expensive. Like I said...….just a question, which I'd be surprised hadn't been asked before at some point. Ian

Thanks Chaps, That's cleared that one up. I feel better informed by the day! Ian