Frank E Bouy Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 I've been looking at a Vitesse Mk2 on Ebay and wondered whether any members could share their wisdom about trouble spots to look out for. I've previously (in the dim and distant past!) owned Heralds and GT6, so I'm reasonably familiar with that range, but would value other members opinions. The car I'm looking at, on Ebay, is in the Stevenage area, so any members in that area may even know the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 Hello Frank, The below may help. Looking at the week points let me first start with rust. As with all cars of this period they all rust if subjected to the winter conditions. The main areas on the chassis are - The side rails and all of the outriggers. And where the main chassis rail dips under the diff. The body mounts - Onto the side rail. And the boot points at the rear of the car. Body - Bottom of both A and B posts. Around the sidelights. All wheel arches. Bottom of doors. All or some of these problems will be present on neglected cars. Mechanical problems - Check gearbox and back axle for noise. And U/J's for wear which shows up as clunks when the drive is taken up. If it is a 2 Litre Mk2 look at the Rotoflex couplers, on the rear halve shafts, for large cracks or breaks. Being a 1950's design the six cylinder engines are generally hard wearing but check the end float on crank, test by moving the crank pulley in and out, if only a very small movement is present then its OK. High mileage can cause all the normal problems. Overdrive was an option and check it comes in after a couple of seconds. Under load the overdrive (D type) can be hard coming in and out which is normal. Correctly renovated and maintained Vitesse are very reliable cars with few weak points. The separate chassis has made them easier to renovate. Plus the straight six engine makes a superb exhaust noise. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 well rust obviously is the biggy and although Im no panel beater I believe some areas are worse than others: for example chassis parts, if accessible, arent so bad as the roof leading edge or base of the C posts and valances as problematic as door bottoms. Mechanically suspension, brakes and drive shafts are all pretty easy to deal with but gearboxes are weak and expensive to replace. Its pretty limited as to what you can check on a test unless youre really going to go to town and get it up in the air and remember since May 2018 they havent needed an MOT. The engine might rattle a little on cold start up but hot oil pressure on tickover should maintain 15+psi and if the car doesnt have a gauge like mine (and the owner agrees) you could temporarily screw in a small gauge in place of the oil pressure switch to get a reading. This is useful as it not only shows the state of the pump but also the crankshaft bearings which as they wear cause a drop in pressure. Finally (again with the owners permission) you could try to lever the crankshaft back and forward on the front pulley. Its easier done hot and if theres more than a very slight click in movement the thrust bearings are worn which if left for too long can cause serious damage to the engine. Hope this helps and you might even find someone on here who for a beer would have a look at the car with you.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 stevenage area ???? is this andy wilks he tidies up a good few triumphs, have been to examine a few for members, he does a fair job of presentation but a glancing appraisal with whats on the surface can turn into a can or worms ,, as with most unkown classics , Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Bouy Posted February 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 Thanks John & Dave for your helpful comments. And, Pete - Yes I think it is Andy Wilks, at least his ebay name is wilkes107 so I guess it's him. You say that you've been to examine a few for members. Would you be in a position to assist me? I'm in East Devon and don't want a wasted trip, but from the description that Andy Wilkes has put on Ebay it sounds a tidy car. Would have prefered one with o/d but hey - you can't have everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 its possible , hes about 20 miles from me , a number on here have bought from him with varying results/outcomes what he does makes a good start point and generally tidy , what he says is pretty straight , but ....a look see is a way, i wont be getting on the floor or going round with a magnet it will be a view of the car with valuation scores in mind, last one i condemded the gearbox, it was to be changed ..it wasnt. so he does what it says on the tin but the lids a bit bent if thats of any creadance !!!!! pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 That one appears to have a very lurid blue underside (It's hardly blue stonechip or underseal, but you never know.....)Was it blue originally? The paint looks nice in the pictures, but it also looks very thickly applied, especially in some areas of the engine bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 If it's 17th from the end of production I would have though it should have been a 1971 car with a steering column lock? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 Absolutely Dave, mine is 35th from the end of production - 71 plate + steering lock. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 3 hours ago, Frank E Bouy said: Thanks John & Dave for your helpful comments. And, Pete - Yes I think it is Andy Wilks, at least his ebay name is wilkes107 so I guess it's him. You say that you've been to examine a few for members. Would you be in a position to assist me? I'm in East Devon and don't want a wasted trip, but from the description that Andy Wilkes has put on Ebay it sounds a tidy car. Would have prefered one with o/d but hey - you can't have everything! Dont be put off by a lack of overdrive as although many swear by them Im not convinced and so far have resisted installing one. They certainly have pros n cons and your use of the car may decide whether to leave as is, fit one or reduce the diff ratio..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: That one appears to have a very lurid blue underside (It's hardly blue stonechip or underseal, but you never know.....)Was it blue originally? The paint looks nice in the pictures, but it also looks very thickly applied, especially in some areas of the engine bay. I have overdrive on my Vitesse mk2 and wouldnt be without it , the diff is 3.89 ratio and at some time would like to replace with a 3.63 ratio Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 I've just read the description, it actually says 17th CV from end of production, mine is 12th CV from the end so the same stat applies. It's MOT history is very mixed, of significance 2014 with no MOT since 2016. As for O/D, well a seller would say that but I can assure you it will not be long before you want to have that upgrade if you intend to use the car a lot, want a quieter life, better engine longevity and fuel consumption to name a few pluses. O/D units are a very worthwhile upgrade and enhance the driving experience plus taking the strain off the running gear. As for going wrong, they are more reliable than not. Just some observations. Good luck. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 hmmm I knew the OD would be controversial! Ive done 30+ years without one in this Vitesse (had one previously with OD) and admittedly dont drive fast so noise is mostly wind not mechanical. Also I think our gearboxes are even less robust with OD fitted plus Im not convinced about improved fuel consumption because of the losses due to the OD oil pump and extra gear losses..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 I've no idea if it helps fuel consumption; all I know is that in my GT6 the revs drop dramatically and you can hear the stereo again... in these days of modern cars we're used to lower-revving engines (one of ours has six gears) so if I see a rev counter sitting about 4000 rpm I'm automatically looking for another gear. I bought an overdrive conversion for my 1200 Herald - single rail gearbox and gearstick from a Spitfire - but sold it again without ever fitting it; I'll stick to the standard non-overdrive in that car as it somehow suits more sedate driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 the blue is hammerite or similar applied at some time in its previous resto. Im going to view the car for frank on monday i like overdrives and no problems with wear and tear, most gearboxes give out due to age and enthusiasm, i guess giving t som whelly in 3rd and clicking up to re intro the torque band is the wear from enthusiastic Geronimo overtaking not down to the fitting of the OD much cheaper to replace the diff with a 3.63::1 less fun but nicer cruising Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 15 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: I've no idea if it helps fuel consumption; all I know is that in my GT6 the revs drop dramatically and you can hear the stereo again... in these days of modern cars we're used to lower-revving engines (one of ours has six gears) so if I see a rev counter sitting about 4000 rpm I'm automatically looking for another gear. I bought an overdrive conversion for my 1200 Herald - single rail gearbox and gearstick from a Spitfire - but sold it again without ever fitting it; I'll stick to the standard non-overdrive in that car as it somehow suits more sedate driving. yes I reckon in a GT6 OD is probably worthwhile as its a more aerodynamic shape so at speed mechanical noise is more prevalent than wind. The Herald/Vitesse on the other hand is about as slippery as a brick so 60mph is enough for me😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 my 1600 with a 3.89 would pull over the ton on the sat nav and apart from the mirrors all fold back i have no idea if it saved any fuel , it should if cruised in keeping with its stable and you cant hear the radio anyway , Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 each to their own🤗 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve P Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 Quite a worrying MOT history re rot and bad welding,unless its been repaired properly recently?. O/D on both my cars,3:63 Diff on the Herald and 3:27 on the Vitesse (2.5L) Well worth it. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 37 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: you cant hear the radio anyway , Pete Is that 'you can't hear the radio anyway' or 'YOU can't hear the radio anyway'? The hearing aid was a freebie from the NHS, it's never used.... In the GT6 I have two 6 inch speakers in the rear trim panels and two four inch in the glove box cubbyholes, so can hear it quite clearly, even at speed. The standard factory speaker (single grille thingy) in Heralds and the like is only for sitting parked in a picnic spot somewhere... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 truth is it never had a radio , you just cant believe some guys ..Hmmmm ! the exhaust set up was to die for on song not too loud just crisp . made a smile bigger Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 I too prefer a Vitesse with overdrive. The 2 Litre with overdrive and 3.63 diff is a good combination in by opinion for what its worth. What influenced me was having a Vitesse 6 back in the 1960's with overdrive. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 18, 2019 Report Share Posted February 18, 2019 Ray and I went to view the car, you can ignor all the past mot history this is a nice tidy example now. yes thes some tlc in odd internal places like a worn stg wheel and blue hammerited fuel tank floor internal need a repaint , alloys have some lacquer marks , needs a remote shift kit but first impression is very tidy straight car never mind the missing strg lock or where it fits in the last 17 , ive told frank to go ahead join the club and get insurance and i can do the valuation for for him ...job done Pete 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted February 18, 2019 Report Share Posted February 18, 2019 Well done Pete. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 18, 2019 Report Share Posted February 18, 2019 A good result, nice one Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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