Canadian International Auto Show Supplement

T h e M a g a z i n e O f T h e T o r o n to T r i u m p h C l u b S p r i n g 2 0 1 2 On Vacation

with TS2

Inside: Canadian International Auto Show Supplement

Works Team TR4s • My TR8 • Fear of Driving? The Parts You Need To " " ® contents Keep’em on the Road Spring 2012

® 24 18 26 30 Member Pages From the Editor ...... 5 From the President ...... 7 Club Hub ...... 9-13 Event Calendar ...... 14/15 36 Owner’s Manual ...... 17 Activities TRavels: 2088 in TS2 ...... 18-22

T h e M a g a z i n e O f T h e T O r O n T O T r i u M p h C l u b S p r i n g 2 0 1 2 Features Special Feature: On A review of the TTC display at the 2012 CanadianS1 International Auto Show Vacation Nothing to Fear ...... 24/25 TRIUMPH Historically Speaking: Ye with The History! The Glory! g 50 ars o TS2 tin f S Where are the Works TR4s . . . 26-28 a p r i b tf le r Marque my Words: e e ! C My TR8 ...... 30-34 Restoration:

Inside: Six and Two Threes ...... 36-37 Canadian International FREE Parts & Accessories Catalogs for: Auto Show Supplement Speke Easy A supplement to RAGTOP Bits and Pieces ...... 38 TR2, TR3, TR4, TR4A, TR250, Works Team TR4s • My TR8 • Fear of Driving? TR6, TR7, TR8, GT6, Spitfire On the Cover Don Elliott fording a 6” deep Special Supplement Fast Service, Simple Ordering and Quick Delivery. stream near the Welsh border on A review of the TTC display at a sunny Sunday afternoon outing www.VictoriaBritish.com 1-800-255-0088 with the Stoke-on-Trent and the the 2012 Canadian International Shropshire TR Groups. Auto Show ...... S1-S16 FREE Parts & Accessories Catalogs Photo by Helen Critchley Also Available For: Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 3 ©2012 Long Motor Corporation, PO Box 14991, Lenexa, Kansas 66285-4991 from the editor

SUBMISSIONS Format: MS Word files are preferred. Send via email or on CD, 10Mb limit on email files. Send photos separately, do NOT embed in the text file. Hard copy submissions are acceptable, but not “The Spring has sprung preferred. Graphics must be in major graphics for- mats, jpeg, tiff or Photoshop files. In Person: To the editor at the monthly meetings. The grass is ris Mail: 2421 Poplar Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario L5J 4H2 E-mail: [email protected] I wonder where my Ragtop is?”

ADVERTISING Contact the Club’s advertising representative for Yep, this really is the Spring issue, arriving just under the wire as we head details of dates and submissions. Submit ads as into summer. It’s a bumper 56 pager, so I know you’ll forgive me the high resolution (min 300 ppi) PDF files, saved for slight delay. print in CMYK format, fonts embedded, by E-mail to [email protected] Was it really 4 months ago that we were all at the Auto Show? It’s just The advertising year is from Jan.1 to Dec. 31. A been a blur for me since then and frankly, I was still on a high for most copy of Ragtop is sent to all paid advertisers. of that time (still am in fact). Our display continues to be talked about, putting our club firmly on the classic car club map. There is a 16 page 2012 ADVERTISING RATES souvenir review supplement in the centre of this issue for your enjoy- Rear Cover ...... $500 per year Inside Front Cover ...... $475 ment. It can be pulled out if you wish, but we couldn’t afford an extra Inside Back Cover ...... $450 staple to hold the pages together - so do so at your own risk! Full Page Inside ...... $305 As you know, last year I missed every major event in the calendar, mainly due to work Half Page ...... $185 Quarter Page ...... $115 and my son’s wedding (Guess what? My youngest got engaged on Christmas Day, his Business Cards ...... $70 wedding is February 2013... here we go again!). Anyway, this year I vowed to try and Full colour ...... $115 extra Second colour ...... $75 extra make it to as many events as possible, so I was at Ancaster in April, went on the brunch Flyer Inserts ...... $190/issue (max 4 pgs) drive to Queenston Heights in May and Spring Fling in June (see summer issue for a full (All rates are for 4 issues, except flyers) report) and, as I write this, I’m about to head out to the annual BBQ and then we’re off to [email protected] the Finger Lakes for the 27th Canadian Classic. I hope to make it to Brits in the Park and Brits on the Lake too. 2012 SCHEDULE Rosie got new chrome on her front bumper over the winter, just in time for the Auto Issue Deadline Mailed Spring ...... April 1 . . . . .End of April Show, plus one or two of her other parts got the ‘bling’ treatment. Not gratuitous bling you Summer ...... June 10 . . . . .End of July understand - strictly in accordance with original factory specs of course. I must say I’m glad Fall/BCD Program . . .August 12 . Mid September these outstanding items on my to-do list are now completed. The front bumper made me Winter ...... Nov. 18 . . .Mid December cringe every time I looked at it, which is why I used to have the bonnet open so often, to General Enquiries cover it up (honest Scott!). Unfortunately, my spot and fog lamp are gone now, but I might [email protected] replace them with some Lucas ones down the road. Ragtop is published quarterly by the Toronto Tri- I’ll shut up now, you’ve waited long enough to enjoy this issue, so ‘have at it’... I’m going umph Club Inc. (“TTC”) and is distributed to its to have a Guinness later to celebrate finally getting it finished! members as part of their annual dues. The TTC or the Editors cannot accept responsibility for the safe return of any submitted material. We will do — David Fidler our best, but accidents do occur.

We accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the TTC Execu- tive or Membership. Copyright © 2012 by the TTC. Non-profit groups may reprint articles from this publication, where the author has not reserved rights, provided we get credited and both the author and TTC receive a copy of the publication in its entirety. Distribution by Pillar Direct Marketing Services. h Printed by Printwell Offset for the Toronto Triumph idric on W on Club. i Canada Post Publications # 40022175 Shiny new chrome on

Rosie’s bumper at CIAS D Photo:

Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 5 Obsolete Auto_MG&TRIUMPH AD2.pdf 19/02/2009 8:22:06 PM

from the president Toll Free Order Line: ...... 1-800-265-7437 Customer Service / Technical Advice: ...... 1-519-337-3232 24 Hour Fax Line: ...... 1-519-336-5936 Executives Website: ...... www.obsoleteauto.com President ...... David Tushingham 905 830. .9124 Vice President ...... Ian Parkhill 905 637. .2034 Business Hours: ...... Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 5 PM Secretary ...... Andrew Grace 416 763. .3824 Get Out and Drive Treasurer ...... Chris Lindsay 416 233. .7360 Director of Communications . . . David Fidler 905 829. .9340 Director at Large ...... W. ayne McGill 905 847. .5532 Where does the time go? It seems like it was 142 Kendall Street, Point Edward, Ontario CANADA N7V 4G5 Director at Large ...... Scott Douglas 905 334. .4020 only yesterday that we were at the Canadian

Past President ...... Johan Aaltink 705 456. .4276 International Auto Show proudly displaying the “History and the Glory” of the Triumph marque. For those of you that were not able to attend Ragtop Magazine Editor & Publisher ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340 and those who want to reminisce, we have a MG & TRIUMPH Specialists Assistant Editor ...... Terrence McKillen 647 202. .8243 special supplement in Ragtop to give you a Distribution . . . .Rod . Jones - Pillar Direct 416 755. .9494 first-hand account of this tremendously suc- Art Director ...... Michael Cleland 905 873. .7704 cessful event. Advertising Sales ...... Ian Parkhill 905 637. .2034 Browse the website David Fidler 905 829. .9340 We are well into the driving season with www.obsoleteauto.com for Club Photographer ...... Larry Llewellyn 416 245. .9217 the Ancaster Flea Market and Spring Fling updates on stocked parts and secure Website events already behind us. If you haven’t had Web Manager ...... David Copping 905 827. .6970 a chance to check out the events calendar access to online ordering. The parts Website Classifieds ...... David Copping 905 827. .6970 lately at www.TorontoTriumph.com, you will see that we have many events scheduled C you need, any time or day. Club Coordinators throughout the summer and fall. I am really looking forward to the Canadian Classic M Membership ...... Scott Douglas 905 334. .4020 this year, which is being held in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Dubbed the “Ca- Y Meeting Coordinators . . . . . Patrick Caria 416 562. .1642 nadian Invasion Classic”, it combines our traditional “Around the Lake” summer drive Clive Huizinga 905 884. .2091 CM and is once again being planned and organized by Clive and Jacquelynne Huizinga. Interclub Coordinator ...... Tony Fox 905 .632 0479.

MY Ambassador at Large . . . . . W. ayne McGill 905 .847 5532. Alex and Sharon McLeod will also be lending a helping hand this year. Regalia ...... Dion Widrich 416 .464 6057. Remember, we organize these events for YOU, so please take full advantage of them. CY Historians ...... W. ayne McGill 905 .847 5532. Get out with your Triumph and spend some time with your friends in the TTC. CMY Frank Manning 905 .643 2359. Hope to see you on the open road. Have a great summer everyone! Volunteer Coordinator ...... Chris Lindsay 416 .233 .7360 K BCD Sponsors ...... Frank Manning 905 .643 .2359 Cheers, Motorsports ...... Simon Rasmussen 905 .853 .2514 — David “Tush” Tushingham

Marque Coordinators TR2, 3, 3A & 3B ...... Malcolm Taylor 905 880. .0079 Alistair Wallace 905 627. .2941 TR4, 4A, 5 & 250 ...... John Lille 416 231. .3092 TR6 ...... Fred McEachern 905 727. .2987 Wayne McGill 905 .847 5532. Request a FREE copy of the GARAGE SALES! Spitfire-GT6 ...... Don Johnson 705 721. .1231 Ron Pincoe 519 941. .0976 Sports Car Chronicle. That’s right. Check out our annual Stag ...... Tony Fox 905 632. .0479 Call: 1-800-265-7437 or 519-337-3232 TR7 & 8 ...... L. arry Llewellyn 416 245. .9217 Spring or Fall Garage Sales and browse Ron Etty 905 547. .2419 Email: [email protected] endless deals. Event Coordinators British Car Day Chair ...... Da. vid Sims 905-331-1496 Each issue is packed with super deals Payment Options: 27th Canadian Classic . . . . . Clive Huizinga & Alex McLeod Visa, Mastercard and American Express Spring Fling 2012 ...... MG Car Club of Toronto on parts and accessories along with Peter Mittler pmittler@gmail com. Summer Tour ...... Clive Huizinga 905 884. .2091 technical articles to help you do the job. Shipping: Canada Post and most Annual BBQ ...... Brian Clark 905 484. .9091 Jack Willekes 905 820. .0269 A great resource for YOUR sports car! courier services Fall Drive ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340

General Mail/Membership e

Mail P O. . Box 39, Don Mills Ontario M3C 2R6 rac G w e

Ragtop Mail & E-mail: dr ALL TO PRESERVE AND DRIVE THE TRIUMPH 2421 Poplar Crescent, Mississauga, ON, L5J 4H2 [email protected] T he Presidential Limo centre stage at CIAS Photo: An Photo:

Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 7 club hub

TRF Is the World’s Greatest British Sports Car Company Club Meetings by Terence McKillen The Roadster Factory is large enough to be a major parts March manufacturer and distributor but small enough to know our The March club event was held on March 27 at the GrandPrix Kartways at Downsview Park. models very well, also small enough to offer very personal There was a good turn out of members including a number attending for the first time. service to all of our customers. TRF is British Motor Following general club business, where David Fidler received a plaque for his work on the Heritage Approved, we are famous for high quality and CIAS display, members were free to socialise or to partake in a few laps of the indoor circuit. reasonable prices, and we offer expert engine, gearbox, and April rear axle rebuilds from our own shop, known as C.A.R. The April meeting was Components. Whether you show your car in concours held on April 22 in con- events, enter it in competitive driving events, or drive it to junction with the An- work every day, you can do so with confidence, knowing that caster British Flea Market, Meeting up at Timmies in Mississauga The Roadster Factory will always be here for you—on-line the traditional beginning of the motoring year. May or just a phone call away. The TTC table was a busy The May meeting held on May 6th, cen- place for most of the day tred around a leisurely drive along the when many memberships foot of the Niagara Escarpment from Subscribe to TRF’s E-Mail Newsletter were renewed and some Clarkson/Oakville to the restaurant at Every week, twelve-thousand Triumph and MG new members were wel- Queenston Heights, just north of Niagara Falls, for an excellent brunch. The convoy enthusiasts in countries around the world receive an comed to the club. This year the weather comprised 9 TR6s, a TR8, a Spitfire and E-Mail Newsletter from Charles Runyan. The was somewhat more ac- Robin Searle’s nicely appointed Triumph newsletter always includes wonderful offers on parts, commodating which brought Stag making its debut after more than 12 shipping deals, and other TRF news. The newsletter out more classic British cars and months of sorting out. includes links to current Web Site Specials and Weekend vendors than of late, although it Features which change every week. To subscribe to the was still breezy and cool for those outside. Inside, people kept warm newsletter, please follow the simple instructions found and vendors seemed to be doing on the TRF home page. Note that unsubscribing is also a brisk trade. Our thanks go to our easy if you change your mind later. booth volunteers - Chris Lindsay, Scott Douglas, David Fidler, David Join TRF Car Club Tushingham, Alistair Wallace, Clive Hundreds of customers of The Roadster Factory Huizinga, Ian Parkhill & Patrick belong to TRF Car Club. The club exists to promote Caria who kept customers serviced and happy. Special thanks to Tony TRF Customer loyalty, and it includes $300.00 in gift Koski who donated 8 Hotwheels TR6s, which all sold and raised $16 for the club. certificates each year that you can use as cash to Enjoying brunch in the Queenston Heights restaurant purchase parts. Dues are $100.00 per year, but you also get a parts credit in the amount of $100.00 every year after the first. You will receive a membership card and sticker. Beautiful club logo. Great T-shirts available.

Please join on-line, or just phone the sales line, and ask • Diesel Engines • Parts Store to join TRF Car Club… • Gasoline Engines • Complete Engine Machine Shop • Marine Engines • Gasoline Injector Service • Race Engines • Engine Balancing & Blue Printing

Winslow Delaney | Creative Solutions 9 Forster Park Drive Oakville, Ontario Canada L6K 1Y5 • Vehicle Services • Cylinder Head Porting & Flow Testing 416.871.2358 [email protected] www.winslowdelaney.com The Roadster Factory 2338 Wyecroft Rd., Unit K5-7, Oakville, Ontario L6L 6L4 P.O. Box 332, Armagh, Pennsylvania, 15920, U.S.A. Tel: 905-825-2045 Fax: 905-825-0208 Telephone: (800) 234-1104 • Fax: (814) 446-6729 Your source for all your repairs Internet: www.the-roadster-factory.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 9 club hub Volunteers Needed British Car Enthusiasts Have Lost A Friend for British Car Day British car enthusiasts of south central Ontario lost a dear friend, Passing of a colleague, an acquaintance and a fellow British car owner with the David Pegg passing of Warren Grant on Feb- ruary 9th 2012. Warren and his We belatedly acknowledge the wife Pat, of 53 years, were equally passing last October 31st of long involved in the many aspects of time TTC member David Pegg, af- British Motoring. ter a long illness, he was 74. Dave Warren and Pat have been held a number of posts over the members of the Toronto Triumph years, including TR4 marque co- Club since 1992 when they joined ordinator. He had been restor- ing a TR4A for the last 15 years, the club shortly after arriving British Car Day is hosted annually by the Toronto Tri- but sadly was never able to drive back in Canada. Warren and Pat Pat & Warren Grant umph Club, on the third Sunday of September. This year the finished car. His wife Marilyn Regalia Store had been in New Zealand for a period of active members of the Victoria British Car the date is September 16. The venue as always is Bronte continues to be a member and time and just before returning to Canada Club out of Lindsay, where Warren had just Creek Provincial Park. 2012 will be the 29th Annual Brit- plans to keep the TR4A in the Now OPEN! in 1991, Warren purchased a beautiful blue concluded a two year stint as President of ish Car Day and will celebrate the 50th Anniversaries of Lots of fine TTC merchandize is now available at our new Club Store, just family. Dave will be fondly re- 1971 Stag. The Stag (a right had drive ver- the Club in November 2011. Warren will the Triumph Spitfire, MGB and Lotus Elan. Volunteers are click on the link on the right of our homepage. We’re adding to the selec- membered for his kindness and sion) was shipped back to Canada and be greatly missed by all who had the plea- needed - please contact Chris Lindsay, Volunteer Coordi- tion on a regular basis, please let us know if there’s something in particu- good humour by all who loved has been a source of enjoyment for them sure of knowing him with his warm and nator at [email protected] to volunteer your lar you’d like to see? Many thanks to our Regalia Officer, Dion Widrich, for and knew him. ever since. Warren and Pat were also very thoughtful demeanor. services. working so hard to set this up and doing a lot of the original car art.

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10 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 11 club hub Welcome New Members! Name Location Vehicle Year Name Location Vehicle Year Matthew Archer . . . . B. arrie Clara Miehm . . . . . T. oronto March Madness Steven Bakker ...... Brampton . . . Spitfire Mk IV ...... 1972. Jay Moszynksi ...... Cambridge Chris Boychuk . . . . . S. t Catherines Christopher Nelson . . . .Toronto by David Fidler Rob Burchell . . . . . Markham. Henryk Oosterbaan . . E. tobicoke Bob Burgar ...... R. ichmond Hill Nick Panakos ...... Maple It was a Friday afternoon in early March and the weather forecast Andrew Burpee . . . . .Ottawa Roger Parry ...... Newcastle for Sunday 11th was sun and an unseasonably high 17C. A great Peter Butler ...... Whitby . . . . . TR250 ...... 1968 Lance Pedrick . . . . . P. ickering Alan Campbell ...... Belleville . . . . TR6, TR7 ...... 1976/1980 Lino Pessot ...... S. udbury day for an early season drive! So I fired off a quick e-mail to see Jentry Chin ...... T. oronto Bill Peter ...... Osha. wa if anyone was interested and Sunday morning at 9am, Andrew Robert Cirone . . . . . E. tobicoke Paul Podesta ...... Brooklin Grace, Dave Sims, Terence McKillen, David Tushingham and I were Roger Clarke . . . . . P. arkhill . . . . TR6 ...... 1976 Pino Policelli . . . . . Oakville. Gord Cumming . . . . Hamilt. on . . . . TR6 ...... 1972 Carmine Preziuso . . . O. rangeville sitting in the Sunset Grill at Appleby Line/Dundas St. in Burling- André de Goeij . . . . W. aterloo ...... TR6 ...... 1975 Rajesh Ramlakhan . . . .Markham . . . TR6 ...... 1974 ton, enjoying a delicious pre-drive breakfast. Ted DeGoey ...... Brantford Sean Ratcliffe . . . . . M. ississauga . . Spitfire ...... 1979 Sean Doherty . . . . . M. ississauga Vince Reale ...... W. oodbridge . . GT6 ...... 1968 The bacon was nice and salty, but unfortunately so were some William Dronyk . . . . .Kitchener Tricia Reitzel . . . . . Kit. chener of the side roads, so I planned our route north to Belfountain in Peter John Dunlop . . . C. aledon East Mike Roberts ...... Oakville . . . . TR250 ...... 1968 Paul Dunnett ...... Utterson Len Sellwood ...... Port Stanley the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, to stay on the main roads. Kerry Dupuis ...... Innisfil . . . . . Spitfire ...... 1974 Barry Smith ...... Scarborough Big difference in the temperature there and they’d had a large Dave&jan Ertel . . . . Osha. wa . . . . Spitfire ...... 1972 Malcolm Stagg . . . . Oakville. David Freeman . . . . High. Point Keith Stewart . . . . . L. ondon . . . . TR3, TR4, TR6, Spitfire Mk3 . . .1957,62,75,70 amount of snow a couple of days previous, so there was some John Gabel ...... Brampton Richard Summerfeldt . . .Toronto melt water and salt on the roads. This didn’t deter us from blast- Richard (Vince) Garrett . . Tiny ...... Triumph GT6+ ...... 1970. Chris Tank ...... Waterloo ing around the twisties in the park and ending up at the coffee Angelo Graham . . . . .Waterloo ...... TR2 ...... 1955 Mauro Tersigni . . . . B. olton . . . . . Spitfire 1500 ...... 1973 Tony Graham ...... Beachville Roger Tipple . . . . . B. urlington shop for a well earned hot drink. Kim Harris ...... W. est Seneca . . TR6 ...... 1973 Ben Tse ...... Etobicoke . . . TR6 ...... 1975 It was a great morning and we all had fun, the salt washed off Binny Jind ...... N. orth York Thomas Whalley . . . . .Keswick Derek Johnson . . . . M. ississauga James & Janice and our cars were put away dry, happy to have stretched their Christopher Jones . . . .Ajax ...... TR6 ...... 1974 Whitehead ...... Kitchener legs so early in the season. Peter Jupp ...... Burlington Peter Whitehead . . . . .Mississauga . . TR7 ...... 1975 Zenon Koltalo . . . . . M. ississauga Duncan Whitelaw . . . .Ingersoll . . . . Spitfire ...... 1980 You don’t have to wait for an “official” TTC event, I strongly Arthur Lee ...... Aurora . . . . . Triumph ...... 1972 Dean Willers . . . . . T. oronto urge all of you to call your local TTC friends (you can find them by Greg McCoy ...... Toronto Martin Wood ...... Hilsburgh searching your city in the database on our website) when a nice Glen Mersel ...... Milton Ron Wood ...... Oakville. . . . . TR6 ...... 1972 Glenn Meyers . . . . . F. onthill New Members from Feb 5, 2012 to June 19, 2012 day comes along and get out there and drive!

t t We p i ee TOYOTA TO TRIUMPH K 5–Speed Transmission Conversions Flat Tappet & Ethanol fuel problems Solved!

• Reduces engine friction TR-2 through TR-6 • Keeps parts wet & minimizes cold start wear. High • Increases compression Performance • Reduces engine wear, heat, Additive noise & vibration and friction in for Engine, gearboxes and differentials BAD THINGS HAPPEN • Removes sludge and varnish Hydraulic, from engine parts Synthetic, and • Withstands frictional contact up Gear Oil. to 200,000 psi

Day Distributing TOLL FREE 1-888-808-3185 176 Victoria Street TO GOOD CARS OFFICE 905-898-3185 Newmarket, ON CELL 416-697-0891 L3Y 4E1 Day Distributing Herman van den Akker Day Distributing www.daydistributing.caTOLL FREE 1-888-808-3185TOLL FREE 1-888-808-3185176 Victoria Street 176 Victoria Street P.O. Box 6812, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222-6812 OFFICE 905-898-3185 Newmarket, ON OFFICE 905-898-3185 Newmarket, ON Phone: (661) 242-1253 • E-mail: [email protected] CELL 416-697-0891 L3Y 4E1 CELL 416-697-0891 L3Y 4E1 www.hvdaconversions.com www.daydistributing.ca www.daydistributing.ca Classic Car Insurance 12 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 877-922-3391www.TorontoTriumph.com | www.hagerty.Ca 13 events Membership Renewal Reminder (Thank you if you have renewed since press time) since 2005 at a beautiful riverside location UK Car Day Greater Rochester Triumph who would like to participate in the an- Renewal British Car ¼ page ad 2012 at Britannia Beach Park - Lakeside Gardens. Touring Club 6-PACK nual car show, “Go With The Flow” - please Name Member # Date Editor's choice: horizontalEvents or vertical layout. Calendar Sunday, August 26, 10:00 a.m. TRials 2012 see the 2012 6-PACK TRials website for all Steven and Anita Craib . . . 2757 ...... 07/14/12 Niagara Falls CaNada sept 6-9 For Full Event List & More Details Go To UK Car Day IV will be held at Riverbend the details at, www.401-PACK.com. Doug and Maureen Crane . . 2267 ...... 08/01/12 www.TorontoTriumph.com August 2012 Pavillion in Genesee Valley Park, Roch- Stefan Ekborn ...... 4953 ...... 07/02/12 Brits on the Lake, Port Perry ester, NY. No admission fee for specta- 29th Annual British Car Day 7.5”x2.4375” 19.06cm x 6.27cm Go Don & Louise Elliott . . . . . 1165 ...... 07/01/12 JULY 2012 Sunday, August 5, (TBC) 9:00 a.m. tors, reasonable entry for show vehicles. with the Sunday, September 16, 8:00 a.m. Mark Gillies ...... 2664 ...... 08/01/12 Brits in the Park, Lindsay Brits on the Lake takes place in the charm- Classes for all British cars and motor- flow Join us for the Toronto Triumph Club’s 29th Andrew Grace ...... 2842 ...... 07/28/12 Sunday, July 15 9:00 a.m. ing downtown core of Port Perry. The bikes. Free concert with Paulsen, Baker Annual British Car Day at Bronte Creek Pro- Ken & Susan Grace . . . . . 1121 ...... 07/21/12 Victoria Park is the setting for this terrific fourth annual show’s featured marque this and Garvey. Food by Webster Lions Club. vincial Park, Oakville. More information can Warren & Patricia Grant . . . 1737 ...... 08/01/12 www.transportbooksshow. If you have never been before, pre- year is the MGB which is celebrating.com its See www.UKCarDay.com for more details. be found at www.BritishCar- George Harris ...... 4958 ...... 07/26/12 50th anniversary. Day.com. pare to spend the day wandering through 16 Elrose Avenue David Hughes ...... 2919 ...... 08/05/12 Come out and show your Club spirit and the park and looking at a great display of Toronto, Ontario John & Joanna Lille . . . . .1527 ...... 08/01/12 Transport Books compete for the Nigel Shiftright Award SEPTEMBER 2012 ingham are Co-Chairmen for this event. British Cars. Brits in the Park is part of Lind- M9M 2H6 Canada Douglas G Long ...... 2915 ...... 08/09/12 Cars, bikes, boats and planes… for the Club having the greatest number 6-PACK TRials, Niagara Falls Ontario We would love to have a record number say’s “Classics on Kent” car show. Stroll the (416)744-7675 John Luxon ...... 4964 ...... 08/09/12 trucks, tractors, tanks and trains. of entrants in attendance. (Possibly to be a Thursday, September 6 – Sunday, September 9 of TR250s and TR6s come out for this main street of Lindsay to see hundreds of (800)665-2665 Thomas McNaughton . . . . 2905 ...... 06/21/12 event. We hope that you can make plans Classic Cars, Hot Rods, Customs and An- two day event. Check website to confirm -Ed.) 6-PACK is a North American- Fredrick Meyer ...... 2830 ...... 07/02/12 to join us. Although this is primarily a Tri- Canada's largesttiques selection on display. of motoring books & motorsport videosbased organization dedicated Lyal Moffatt ...... 2835 ...... 07/24/12 British Car books a specialty: historical, pictorial & technical. to the enjoyment, preservation umph TR250/TR6 event, we encourage Bill Perkins ...... 3212 ...... 08/16/12 all Triumph models and other marques Ottawa All British and restoration of the Triumph Helmuth & Brigittwww.autophile.cae Mon-Sat 10am-5pm - free parking – free mailing list to participate and come out and have Sunday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. TR250 and TR6 automobile. The 401-PACK Vorkoetter ...... 2265 ...... 08/01/12 some fun over the weekend. There is an This event is dedicated to showcasing and Chapter (Ontario and Quebec) of 6-PACK is Doug Webb ...... 1418 ...... 07/09/12 established “Other British” category for celebrating the complete spectrum of Brit- pleased to host the 2012 TRials in Niagara non TR250/TR6 owners for any of those Please go to www.TorontoTriumph.com and ish vehicles. It has been held every year Falls, Ontario. David Fidler and David Tush- 3.75”x 4.9375” 3 ¾ x 4 15/16 9.53cm x 12.55cm renew today! Valid as of June 19th 2012

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14 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 15

RAGTOP 45 Pssst! owner’s manual Want Some Great Advice? Getting to know our members Tony grosso

Name/Owner: Tony Grosso Born: 1956 Location: Montevideo, Uruguay, South America Member Since: 1998 Triumph: 72 GT6 MK3 BRG (My legalized Go-Kart) Favorite place: My garage and the highway Favorite Movies: Bullitt and Le Mans Favorite Food: BBQ anything Hobbies: Antique car and motorcycle restoration, unless the soccer games are on TV Favorite people: My wife and kids, Steve McQueen and Terry Fox Favorite music: Beatles, Led Zeppelin and U2 You could search big catalogues for the best price Other vehicles currently owned: ‘77 Porsche 911S and ‘79 Yamaha XS650 vertical twin You could buy parts from various suppliers Past restorations: ‘54 Mercury Monarch, ‘65 Galaxy 500XL, ‘74 You could pay huge shipping and crazy broker fees TR6, ‘72 TR6 You could be returning the parts Background: Tony grew up in You could... Uruguay and learned to drive at the age of ten in a 1953 Bedford truck. His father 1565 Hwy 5 West, RR#1 ...but why would you? owned a body and mechanical shop, so Troy, Ontario, L0R 2B0 there were always lots of cars to play with. We are your local source for quality parts and only stock After moving to Toronto, he trained as a Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 mechanic at Centennial College and served Local: 905-627-9995 the best. When you consider the benefits of friendly local his apprenticeship at VW Canada. Unfortu- 24hr Fax: 416-410-6479 service, no quibble exchanges, next day delivery or same nately, in the early ‘70s there wasn’t much E-mail: [email protected] day pick-up, plus great advice and customer service, work in the dealerships, so he went back to school and retrained as a millwright. That British Auto Sport is hard to beat. took him to a mailing business where he spent 37 years. In 2009 he sold his business Try us for your next project! (Pillar Direct, they still mail out Ragtop - Ed) and retired at the age of 52. Little did he know then, that he would go 4 years to College just to end up fixing his British Auto Sport kids and friends cars for free! Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 17 The author and TS2 . Driving on the left TRavels side of the road was no problem .

cars in North America would not insure my TR for a tour of UK and/or Europe and all of the insurance companies in UK would not insure my TR to tour UK, because I don’t own my prime residence in the UK, also the car would need to be registered in the UK. It was an unbelievable dilemma. In the spring of 2011, Mark Treadwell, Alec Pringle and Diane Pringle, also known as “the V8 lady” came up with the idea 2088 of offering me TS2 to tour the UK and to partake in the TR International Weekend. “What is TS2?”, you ask. It was (and still is) Miles in the 2nd TR2 ever built and the Commis- sion Number (VIN) is TS2. The first two TR2s were hand built because the production line was not yet fully operational. TS 1 LO was finished in June 1953 (the L is for left- hand drive and the O means that it left the factory with the optional overdrive). It was shipped to Montreal where it was driven to Toronto for the Automobile Show held at the Canadian National Exhibition. The day after, TS2 was completed and was shipped ton g n to the Dublin Auto Show in Ireland where

By Don Elliott, Montreal arri TS2 F it was driven for 46 years. Then it was re- ark

y turned to England and restored to its for- b mer glory in 2001. Photo Photo M It all started with a dream This unbelievable offer of TS2 to me was I bought my TR3A brand new in 1958 confirmed by the executive of the TR Reg- from one of the four Standard-Triumph ister and it took me less than 5 seconds to dealers here in Montreal. I had saved my accept. My dream of touring England in a money while I was working in the shop TR was about to come true. and later on the drafting board at Pratt & Whitney, manufacturers of aircraft en- The dream in reality gines. At that time, they were building In July 2011, my daughter Catherine, who piston engines. I drove “TRusty”, my new had been living and working in London for TR for the next 14 years during which I 11 years had just accepted a new position rallied it extensively from 1959 to 1965. in Edinburgh, so I flew there to see her and In 1972 with 83,000 miles on the clock, it to get rid of any jet-lag. During the next was a very sad basket case. four days, I toured Edinburgh and then I In 1987, I decided to restore it. That was took the train south to Didcot to pick up when I joined the TR Register in England as T here were about 35 TRs TS2. I had first seen it in about 1998, sitting well as the Toronto Triumph Club. It took including a beautiful dark in the garage at Didcot, before its restora- blue Swallow Doretti, 40 three years to finish the body-off restoration had started. What a thrill to drive this Stags and almost 1000 other tion. Between 1990 and this summer, I famous historic TR. antique cars of all types That first day with TS2, I filled it up with have driven TRusty a further 109,000 miles. dating back to 1902 at the I’m very proud of my TR and for years, Newby Hall Car Show held regular petrol and drove to Market Deep- I have dreamt of shipping it to England to near Ripon in Yorkshire on a ing where I stayed the night with Phil and drive it there and to visit some of my friends rainy Sunday in July . Andrea Jane. Phil had invited me to com- who are members of the TR Register, but it ment on his progress with his powder blue was not to be. The companies who insure TR3A. The next two days were spent with

18 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 19 afternoon. Early on Saturday July 30th, I arrived at the Yorkshire Showgrounds in Har- rogate to enjoy the two-day TR Register In- ternational Weekend. It was estimated that as many as 750 TRs attended. It was the 50th anniversary of the TR4 and there must have been a hundred or more all parked together for a group picture. What a sight. The following day, I After setting up my tent and touring visited Ashley James to the huge site, I met more TR friends, some see his red TR3A before whom I had not seen since I attended the heading up to Shropshire unveiling of the Triumph Monument in where Simon Beresford Canley in 2000. There were driving compe- took me in his TR6 (V- titions, a driving display where a new Mini . y b

- The author standing next to the Triumph Monument 8) into Wales to see the slid all over the parking lot and drove up on r e on Herald Avenue in Canley on the site of the former bridge-like aqueduct ca- a 45 degree angle with two wheel about pass y b Triumph factory . In 1996, Don suggested that a nal in Llangollen, used four feet up in the air. There were many

Photo Photo monument be built on the former site so visitors would for narrowboats to cross stands where you could buy new TR parts know where the factory used to be . He attended the a valley. We also visited and also many stalls where they were sell- unveiling in 2000 . Notice TS2 in the rear . the ruins of the castle in ing used parts. Finally, there were Technical my niece Liane and her family in Suffolk. Whittington. That same Seminars covering a vast array of topics. Liane Elliott was raised in Mississauga and evening David Somerville One of the huge halls held all the TRs, has lived in England for the past 22 years. came by in his TR4 and which were being shown for the concours Then it was off in pouring rain to Yorkshire we dined together at the competition. The TR Register has separate for the Newby Hall Car Show near Ripon, pub named after Mad Jack classes for each model of TR and any mem- where about 30 TRs from the local clubs Mytton. ber can choose to enter his TR in the main braved the rainy weather. The TRs and the Both had invited me “Concours” event or at the “Pride of Owner- thousand or so other antique cars on dis- to come with TS2 the ship” level. There seem to be more TR2s in Eu- play from all over the world were superb. next day on a drive in rope compared to shows in North America Portmerion, a Mediterranian setting created by a British architect along the coast of Wales was the location where they shot Early the next morning, after three the countryside with the Shropshire and and there were very few TR3As seen at the the TV series “The Prisoner” starring Patrick McGoohan who used to drive a BRG Lotus 7 at the start of each show . It was here days and nights of camping in the rain, I Harrogate event. Everywhere you looked, it that the author met Andy and his 13-year old daughter Margaret - both fans of the series . Here we see Margaret dressed the Stoke-on-Trent local groups of the TR packed the soaked camping gear into the as one of the actresses from 1976 holding a huge balloon which played prominently in some of the films . She also kindly Register. We drove about 100 miles in and appeared like there were more TR2s and TR3s TR2. It was still raining as I headed from washed the bugs offT S2 with her father watching . She also checked the tyre pressures on Andy’s Morgan . out of Wales and forded a creek where compared to the few TR3As which attended. the campground in Broborough Bridge to- the paved road at the bottom of the hill Every TR owner who enters his TR in ei- wards Coventry and it rained on and off all toured The Heritage Center in Gaydon. This traverses a stream. The water must have ther of the indoor show competitions wins day. Near Coventry, I stayed at a B&B where was my third time visiting Gaydon and I been about six inches deep. a trophy, a plaque or both. Even if their TR the lady in charge took all my wet things parked TS2 in full prominence at the front The day after, I drove across Wales to did not finish as a winner, each owner takes and put them up to dry. Then she went on entrance, for all the other visitors to see. Criccieth on the coast where my Grandfa- home a prize for having competed. One of line and found a store in Canley called “All Afterwards, it was off to Chipping Nor- ther was born on Castle Square just next to the conditions that I accepted when I was Outdoors” and she told me to go buy a new ton in the Cotswolds for three days of Criccieth Castle. I also took the time to find offered the use of TS2 by the TR Register was tent! The next day I packed up and did just camping. By now the sun was out and I to blow up the Houses of Parliament on the the tombstone of my Great Grandfather. The to help with handing out all the trophies that. The store is located on Dolomite Road stowed the hood and the side curtains in 5th November 1605, in a failed attempt to as- day following, I drove to Portmerion where and prizes following the concours event. I just off Gloria Circle and Herald Avenue the boot. In fact, they stayed there for the sassinate King James I and restore a Catholic they filmed “The Prisoner” starring Patrick was delighted to do this – just as I had done where the Triumph Monument was erect- next 17 days, the weather was so agreeable. monarchy, he committed suicide before he McGoohan for the 1967 cult TV series. in 1992 at the TR International Weekend ed and unveiled in 2000. Many of you may That evening I attended the local Chiltern could be hung, drawn & quartered! - Ed) Then I drove north to Broborough Bridge held at the Staffordshire Fairgrounds. T he Heritage Center Museum in Gaydon has an extensive remember that I was there on that memo- TR Group and met more new TR friends The day after, I drove to Cheltenham to for three more nights of camping. On the After the IWE (as it is also called), I packed exhibit of almost every car ever built in the UK . Here and renewed my acquaintance with Neil up my camping gear and drove southwest we see TS2 neatly parked near the front entrance for rable day. I asked a chap walking by if he ride the Gloustershire and Warwickshire Friday, I drove to Harewood in Yorkshire all visitors to admire . After this photo, the top and would snap a photo of me beside the Mon- Hawtin. It was back in 1988 that I had at- steam train. Then in the evening, I dropped where the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) through the Peak District for one final night sidecurtains were stowed in the boot for the next 17 ument and to try to make sure we could tended a Guy Fawkes Night fireworks party into the Glavon Group meeting near Durs- supervises the Harewood Hillclimb. The TR of camping. Then I spent the next four days days . The weather during the rest of the trip was sunny, see TS2 in the background. I also toured in Neil’s garden in Kidlington just north of ley to renew acquaintances with members I Register had me listed for three runs with about eight miles south of Worcester with but very cool . the Coventry Transportation Museum and Oxford. (Guy Fawkes is famous for plotting had met in 1996 at the Glavon TR Weekend. TS2 in the morning and three more in the another niece, Suzy Elliott who was raised

20 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 21 A review of the TTC display at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show

in Richmond Hill. It was while I was here that the starter in TS2 would ony t a

whizzz and whirr, but it n r e wouldn’t start. I called s e C e d the TR Register who ar-

ranged the local y b towing service to Don at speed driving up the Harewood Hillclimb in TS2 the day before the TR Register’s Annual International Photo Antony TRIUMPH take TS2 to The Worcester Classic Weekend . Harewood is in Yorkshire about 30 miles south of Harrogate . Car Co. about six miles away where they in- The original carbs and intake manifold are ford and handed in the keys. Then Allen stalled a new starter and sent the bill to the still installed. TS2 has better acceleration Forster, the manager drove me and my The History! The Glory! TR Register office. The small pinion on the than my own TR3A and I would even say luggage plus camping gear to the station front end of the starter shaft had become it was very noticeable. I feel it must be the to catch the train heading back to Edin- cam that made the difference. burgh. I spent these final days with my The displacement is still at the daughter Catherine and we took in sev- original 1991 cc – like mine. I got eral of the stand-up comedy shows at the 28.8 miles per Imperial gallon, Edinburgh Fringe Festival. using the lowest UK grade of un- Then it was back to Montreal via Heath- leaded petrol and I managed to row on British Airways. All in all, it was a easily reach 80 MPH on the mo- wonderful trip. It was a dream come true. torways a few times. Next year, the 2012 International Week- After these four days in and end will be back at the Malvern Show- around Worcester, I drove TS2 grounds where it was held from 1999 to back to the TR Register office in 2009. Malvern is famous for Morgan Cars Didcot, a few miles south of Ox- being built there. ragtop TS2 leading the International contingent with Chris Cunnington the Chairman of the TR Register holding the Canadian flag . There were over 50 TRs from overseas, e mostly European and Irish . rvill e m So disconnected and it had fallen into the bot- a y b tom of the bell housing. This was the only time that TS2 caused Photo Photo D VID a technical problem in 2088 miles over 23 days. I feel that TS2 is a solid and very reliable TR, much as my own TR3A is. There are no squeaks in TS2, nothing was loose or rattling, the steering was direct without being heavy and it had no sloppiness at all. During the first few days of driving in the rain, quite a bit of water came in over the top of the windscreen and up the sides, because the sidescreens could not to be tucked in behind the chrome plate on the stanchions, as they should be to keep the All the TRs that were shown at Harrogate were in one of the huge buildings for the Fairgrounds . In the Masters Class is rain out. But once the rain stopped, I drove the TR2 Francourchamp belonging to Patrick Van Houtven from Belgium where these unique cars were built . Notice in the final 17 days with the top down and for the side view that due to the rigid roof, that the door is lengthened for easier entry and the rear dogleg (quarterpanel) me, the problem was no longer there. has been trimmed . The windows crank up and down with a simple crank and bicycle chain guides on sprockets . Since A supplement to They told me that the engine had been all the TRs assembled from kits in Europe were sprayed there, the colour, in many cases was not the same as the cars tweaked. A mild cam has been installed. assembled in Coventry .

22 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 RAGTOP by David Fidler

Triumph Heaven “Just a quarter inch to the left and it will be perfect“ - Bill Flemming (rear left) and the CIAS ‘Heavy Gang’ in action It was late January 2011, a typical winter day in southern Ontario, 2 feet of snow piled up and minus 20C outside. Enough to freeze the spheroids off a non-ferrous anthropoid. Sitting at my desk in my nice warm home office, I must admit, the last thing on my mind was Triumphs or car shows. But this soon changed when I opened an E-mail from Jon Rosenthall, Classic Ve- hicle Event Organizer, for the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS). Jon was asking if the Toronto Triumph Club would be interested in providing etc., but again they were too far away. Triumph Ten enthusiast that just hap- LL vehicles and volunteers for their 2012 A Mayflower and/or Renown proved pened to know someone in the TTC “Classic Concourse” display area? Situ- equally elusive so, my original plan had who had kindly passed on my E-mail ated in the South Building of the Metro to be modified a little. to him. Enthusiast is an understatement, Toronto Convention Centre and cover- I eventually settled on going for a David totally embraced the show and ing 70,000 square feet of Level 700, display in The History Room consisting with very little persuasion from Jon and this area has previously played host to of examples of every post-war Triumph I, he agreed to bring not one, but FOUR displays of classic Lamborghini, MG, sports car ever built and variants there- Standard/Triumph Tens to Toronto (see Just one year (and about 3”) separate and Mustang cars etc., as tributes to of. This was pretty much achieved, with followup story in Summer 2012 issue the 69 TR6 and 68 TR250 as they nestle past classics, contrasting with the other onboard the trailer the exception of a small mouth TR3 (I of Ragtop). Jon Rosenthall also came to halls full of all that’s new and innova- thought I had one, but when it arrived the rescue and helped procure two Ita- tive. I was definitely intrigued on site, it was actually a big mouth lia 2000s, a GTR4 Dové and, the star and eager to know more. DF TR3A!) and I didn’t get a first year 1966 of the show for many people, a 1935 Ian Parkhill, Scott Douglas the horns and decided to come up with What went on behind the scenes GT6. However, we had everything Gloria Southern Cross. Apart from and I attended the 2011 CIAS in a comprehensive plan to put together a Our display was to be split into three else, 17 cars in total, plus 3 examples our own Dave Roeder’s 1948 1800 February to view what the On- show that was worthy of our marque. areas; 1. Restored and modified, 2. of racing TRs, provided by members Roadster, all of these cars came from tario Camaro and Firebird clubs Little did I realize how much work I Rare and unusual, and 3. “The History of VARAC, taking pride of place in the the USA - as far afield as High Point had provided for last year’s dis- would have to do to make it happen! Room” (in a separate large hall). Un- middle of the room. To help visitors un- NC, Perkasie PA, Long Island NY and play and to meet with CIAS exec- I have a few years experience of stag- derstandably, areas 2 & 3 were the big- derstand the history of Triumph sports Caldwell NJ. The rare model section utives, including the show’s Gen- ing and exhibiting at trade shows, but gest challenge. cars, I wrote a script which the folks was a big hit with visitors. eral Manager Tom Tonks, himself nothing prepared me for the amount of I had an ambitious plan to procure at CIAS had professionally narrated The restored and modified cars a Triumph TR8 owner. We were work this project eventually entailed at least one example of every Triumph by radio personality, Bill Hewitt. Visi- were all provided by TTC members stunned by the sheer size of the or some of the hoops I had to jump produced, pre and post WWII. As it tors could listen and follow the story and ranged from a TR250 to a Herald display area and the standard through in order to get what the club turned out, the pre-war cars were nigh chronologically around the room and Convertible, TR8s (4), TR6s (5), TR4 (1), of the presentation. We chatted needed and to ensure that the display on impossible to get, because most we saw numerous people doing this TR3s (4) and a fuel injected Spitfire. with the Camaro guys at their was top notch. Between reaching out are either in museums or private col- and received a few “thumbs up” signs Across all three sections, we had a to- club booth and were pleased to for cars, keeping owners happy, sourc- lections (mostly overseas) and many as they left the room. tal of 46 Triumphs on show. The larg- hear that their expectations for Fasten your safety belt, and off we go! ing covered transport (that was a whole of them are “one-offs”. With a strict For the rare and unusual display, I est ever indoor display of Triumph cars the event had been met and rela- DF story in and of itself!), rostering volun- budget provided to the club by CIAS, needed the assistance (and addition- in North America, which included not tionships with the CIAS executive had We reported all of this back to our teers and dealing with PR & media, I shipping cars in from Europe wasn’t an al resources) of the CIAS executives. one, but three, original unrestored “sur- been both productive and cordial. Our own executive and conveyed our com- occasionally felt like the proverbial rag option. The late model cars also proved Through an E-mail blast to our club vivor” TR6s. onsite meeting with CIAS, bore this out mitment to the CIAS folks shortly after- doll. But let me say at the outset, I don’t very difficult to acquire (at least ones membership (past & present), I at- Over 60 Triumphs were offered for and we left the show confident that this wards. I was eager to volunteer to act as begrudge a minute of it and the end re- in show condition). I wanted an Ac- tracted the attention of David Freeman display. The final selections were made could work out very well for our club. liaison with CIAS, so I took the bull by sult made it all worthwhile. claim, 2000, 2500PI, Dolomite, Toledo in North Carolina. He’s a Standard/ in November 2011, based on our re-

S2 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S3 The 905 Band entertain in the Triumph display area

Scott and Dawn Douglas pose by their 1976 TR6 at the Gala Awaiting inspection, three of DF four Standard 10s arrive from Head honcho Jon Rosenthall Tush and Fid suited up George and Fran Christie beside their North Carolina Scott McCoy spiffs up his low mileage ‘survivor’ DF at the gala opening 1962 TR4 one of two Triumphs George supervises the latest arrivals 1976 TR6 while in the background Tush ponders LL DF had on display adding a Spit to his collection quirements for the three sections and two days after the show to get the cars also to try to get as many colour varia- in and out. Bearing in mind they were it. Even some passers-by got in on the tions as possible. We wanted to get the coming in from as far as St. Thomas act, a real indication of the enthusiasm look and feel of a 1950/60s Earls Court in the west, Peterborough in the east and interest Triumphs create. Motor Show in London, with the various and Collingwood in the north and all The cars were greeted with a huge models displayed in groups. Jon again points in between, it was a logistical grey door - loading bay #6. This was DT came up trumps with some rather splen- nightmare. None of the big transport the entrance to a massive elevator, ca- many people had owned or still own DT did Doric columns and arches, left over companies were really interested in pable of holding a large truck and its Triumphs, how many young people were left standing; like actors after the from a previous show, which were used our business and quoted some exorbi- load (up to 40 feet long). Unfortunately, came forward to tell us they were re- final curtain. It was quite sad. in conjunction with raised platforms tant rates to move our cars, I guess they we had to share this elevator with other storing TRs (mostly stalled projects their A couple of hours later and the first and plants to convey the exact feel I was had enough business already, moving exhibitors and a lot of time was spent dad’s started) and the level of knowl- transporters had arrived, the plastic hoping for... The Ritz meets British iron. in the flashy new cars for the major waiting for it to come. Thankfully 2012 edge some had of our marque. One 11 sheeting was back down on the floor All that was missing was a revolving manufacturers. At the last minute, with was a mild winter, so we didn’t get too year old boy, took me to school when and cars began working their way to turntable or two (and I did try!) a tip from Robin Searle (Google is your cold, but it did prove to be a challenge he corrected me on a statistic I gave the elevator and out into the cool eve- friend! Thanks Robin), I approached a time wise. We could get up to three Tri- LL Don and Judy Johnson (foreground), Dawn Douglas and him, he was right! All of which augers ning air. By midnight almost a third Logistics small company called “Bull Pull Cor- umphs on at a time (or four of the Stan- Lisa Vromman pose at the TTC booth during gala night well for their being future caretakers of of them were gone and on their way Probably the two most time consuming poration” in Toronto, who have cov- dard 10s!) so, once it did arrive things our beloved cars. home. Over the next two days, the re- parts of bringing this display together ered 5th wheel trailers and an experi- moved fairly quickly. play panel. He actually came through To round off my account, we come mainder followed suit and I’m happy to was rostering the volunteers to help enced team of handlers. They proved Inside, Jon’s team of car handlers with TWO, complete with shelves and to the sad part when the show closed say, that they all made it home without man the display and planning the car to be a very efficient, cost effective and were there to push or drive the cars lighting (thanks Steve!). My purpose its doors to the public and the disman- a scratch, back into the arms of their re- transport to and from the show. timely solution to the problem and I across acres of plastic sheeting (the en- was to not only make our booth look tling began. It was unbelievable how lieved owners. Including press day, the show was want to take this opportunity to thank tire MTCC is carpeted) to the staging professional, but to display posters fast everything came apart, one min- What follows is a photo essay of our open 10 hours a day for 11 days, I want- Alex Hadi and his team for coming area. Here, each car was thoroughly in- and other Triumph memorabilia, kind- ute we were working the booth, which display and accounts of members’ expe- ed a minimum of 2 people on the club through for us. Often working from spected before being taken to (approxi- ly loaned by club members. I want to had become a “home from home” for riences at the show. But before you head booth and 4 people scattered around 4am past midnight and at one point mately) its assigned display location. thank Tony Koski, Wayne McGill, John many of us, the next, the show staff de- off to enjoy those, here are some mind the various displays to assist visitors at they had four trailers zooming around Those destined for The History Room, Lille and Frank Manning for the excel- scended like vultures to rip out the bar- boggling statistics and results from our any given time. In total 30 members vol- the province. The fact that they got it were held back until part of the stud lent materials and scale models, which riers, plants and lighting. In the blink of appearance at the 2012 Canadian Inter- unteered their time, many were owners all done, within budget and without wall was removed to allow access, be- the visitors thoroughly enjoyed seeing an eye, the glitz was gone and the cars national Auto Show... CIAS of the cars selected for display, but there any damage or major problems, is a cause the doors weren’t wide enough and talking about. were also several people who just want- real credit to them. for most of our cars (although a Spitfire The Gala opening was a splendid ed to be a part of the event and I can’t Some cars were transported by other will fit through, as we discovered with black tie event, complete with live Canadian International Auto Show Statistics 317,268 number of visitors to the show over 10 days thank everyone enough for their tireless carriers from the USA or by their own- one last minute arrival!). music and excellent food and refresh- devotion to duty. Resplendent in our ers, so these had to slotted into the ar- When all of the cars were in position, ments. In our display area we were en- 51,000 Largest one day visitor total (Sunday 18th Feb) specially embroidered TTC/CIAS shirts, rival pattern too and, with only street the plastic sheeting was removed, the tertained by “The 905 Band” a 16 piece 880 Approximate man hours put in by our volunteers everyone made quite an impression on access to the MTCC, at certain times rope barriers and plantings were installed band from Mississauga, who played ev- 183 total hours I spent at the show (and I enjoyed every one of them) the visitors and show executives alike. four or five trucks were parked on the and the overhead lighting was adjusted. erything from rock ‘n’ roll to soul and 6 number of press, radio or TV interviews Each day was split into three shifts of road. This got the attention of the po- Things were really starting to take shape blues music, very appropriate and in 43 new memberships signed up from the show 3 or 4 hours duration, with some work- lice, who were very helpful and direct- keeping with our time period. and the lighting made the cars “pop”. 3584 Kilometers driven by Bull Pull Corp ing all three shifts on multiple days. In ed traffic for us while we got the cars The final item before press day and As you will read further on, the show the end, we averaged 8 people per day, safely unloaded. Some traffic violations the Gala opening night, was to set up was very busy and our display had lots 30 Show volunteers (see list on page S16) so that’s 880 man (and woman) hours occurred (like driving down the wrong our club booth in The History Room. of traffic. So much so that on the Sun- 36 Cars loaned by TTC members (see list on page S16) in total, quite a commitment! side of the road), but they turned a I called on an old work colleague of day we had traffic jams in some areas! 40 Cumulative pints of Guinness consumed by yours truly after each show day! We had just three days prior and blind eye and were good natured about mine for the loan of a portable dis- It amazed all of the volunteers just how 2,000+ times we were asked where the exit was?

S4 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S5 by Larry Llewellyn LL A DREAMMiss Penny Lane taking her place among the greats COME TRUE LL LL opened I was directed to the washing station. Phew, So far so good! Here I I have to admit that the 2012 Canadi- spent the next hour and a half clean- an International Auto Show (CIAS) was ing Penny all over again. I must thank as surreal as it gets for me. I’ve never Peter Gilbert (an old high school friend) used that word before, but in recent for showing up almost immediately. He years I’ve heard it used a lot. I have an- came all the way from Whitby to my other admission that should go on the Wot, no red Carpet? rescue. That’s how Triumph enthusiasts record - the Toronto Triumph Club and Miss penny arrives are, anytime, anywhere to support a fel- its members have been my life saver. low car buff. Together, we gave Penny They have been major players in keep- knob and steering wheel”... I’m out of the last once over, the exterior, wheels ing my feet firmly planted, in the here that league! and body needing major attention. She and now. My thanks to all! Miss Penny has been running well, had to drip dry before she was allowed Miss Penny Lane, for those who do with one exception. The Prince of back into the building! not know, is my pride and joy. A 1977 Darkness has waved his knarly hand Now she was ready. Into the eleva- TR7 Coupé in Corvette Yellow (makes over her and she hasn’t been able to tor again and up to the 700 level. Driv- her go faster), Penny has attended TTC shake his dark clutches. The headlights ing inside the building, on carpeting, events and made a great showing at have for the past six months been pos- covered in plastic into the staging area many a cruise night; although less fre- sessed. At one point, they didn’t work Larry and partner Jane all dressed up for the show was weird to say the least. Penny was quently of late (through no fault of hers; at all. Then they worked simultaneous- following part of the crew, who would purely financial reasons). She has been, ly, winking at will, getting stuck in the ing a kid again! Just me and Penny, soon take over for the final placement. for the past six years, a source of pain, up position, but only the passenger side with the excitement building, in One more inspection, like one sees at joy and expense. Only recently, an in- one. Now they come on, but only one anticipation of what was in store. a rental car establishment; an inspec- formation-loaded member (Wayne Mc- retracts properly, the other is stuck half I had visions of having to redo the tor with a clip board walks around Gill), explained to me the probable rea- way. However, it goes down in a few makeover and thinking of the extra marking on a car silhouette to account son for the pain and expense. It seems, days, as long as it’s warm outside! hours to get her back to her shiny for every nick, chip, scratch, and dent Penny’s build date was December 31, Starting is another example of the presentable self. that was there on arrival. My sheet 1976 – a New Year’s Eve model! dreaded Prince’s devilish trickery. Getting close now, I called looked like a shot gun target! Riddled Slowly, over the years Penny has When I went to turn it off, even with ahead to advise that I was near- with circles (yet from afar none were had her issues put to rest or at least the key extracted from the ignition, the most of her life. polished, paint glistening and carpets ing arrival. I was directed to Gate 6 really visible). “It’s a driver, what do hidden long enough not to catch the engine wouldn’t shut off. I removed the I will retrieve her from the exor- vacuumed. All is ready for the run to and told there was a washing station you expect!” At that point someone eyes of those involved with this year’s battery terminals to stop the engine. cist (mechanic) on Monday (February the hallowed site - the Metro Toronto on level 800. I was relieved to know chirped up “I just saw that car driving amazing collection of Triumphs at the When the terminals were reattached, 6th). That gives me until the following Convention Centre. I could clean her up before anyone down Bathurst!” I rest my case. Auto Show. I don’t question how Pen- Penny would try and start again! Truly Saturday to get her cleaned up and However, Mother Nature decided to would question why I was chosen to be Then the crew driver took over. ny was selected, other than I’ve prob- she is in need of an exorcism! sparkling for the big event. The me- show us what February winter weather in the display of show cars. There was However, Penny wasn’t finished with ably opened my mouth loud and long Getting Penny ready for the big event chanic was able to ward off the spell should really be like. On the Sunday, the gate; a great grey wall loomed in her antics. She wouldn’t start. Dead! enough too many times. But I am over has required her to spend time with the - with the lights working and Penny 2-3 cm of the white stuff fell. My hard front. The door opened and an eleva- Not a sound! I said “Keep it up, I drove the moon to have been involved with mechanic having a few minor adjust- starting on cue, (twenty times the me- work was going to go down the toilet, as tor attendant beckoned me to drive in! I her here!” Then on the fifth try, the won- this event. ments made such as: the head light chanic turned the key and she started) I had decided to drive her to the show. have never driven my car, or any car for derful throaty sound of Penny’s purring malfunction, and replacing the battery. - least ways when the key was turned. Penny had to make her way, under her that matter, into an elevator. Nervously, was heard, like the proverbial kitten she It is 10:30 at night on February 2nd Penny is leaking from somewhere on Now, she was ready to get gussied up own steam down the 400 to the Allen I moved forward, concerned about the is, was driven to her final resting place and I know Penny needs to be at her the passenger side. The wipers aren’t for the show. Expressway, then south on Bathurst clutch, the gas pedal, making sure all for the next ten days. THE HISTORY glowing best as a representative of the up to speed. Oh, she starts only when Detailing they call it, - Q-Tips, street and east along Front Street, all functioned properly. My feet didn’t ex- ROOM. What an honour! Miss Penny club. I heard through the grapevine she feels like it - just a few minor things. polish and sweat. No spot left un- the while avoiding the spray thrown actly feel up to par. My insides were Lane taking her place among the greats: some folks are getting their machines Not to mention I’ve moved house and touched. Only hours left to go. In the up by taxis, buses and street cars. I did shaking. We made it in and then down a Stag and a TR8, surrounded by TR3s, decked out in all sorts of chromed she is now dealing with an outdoor four years that I have owned her, Pen- my best to keep her as clean as pos- we went - to the 800 level! Something TR250, TR6 and GT6. Oh, proudly she parts. I even overheard someone say, parking situation after being used to an ny has never been so pampered. The sible. I had the radio turned to AM740 is wrong! I questioned the elevator sat waiting for the Gala and the world “I’ve varnished my wooden gearshift underground/indoor environment for tires are sprayed, rubber bumpers spit listening to the oldies - it was like be- guide - down to go up! Then the door to see - my dream come true! CIAS

S6 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S7 Rare Beauties Rare and unusual models Classic dash of ‘Roeder’s Roadster’

KS 1960 Italia - Corey Sherrman, New York AG AG 1963 GTR4 Dové - Corey Sherrman, AG New York AG 1948 1800 Roadster - KS David Roeder

MC 1935 Gloria Southern Cross - Dennis Mamchur, New Jersey

1961 Italia - Dave Hutchison, KS Pennsylvania

AG MC

AG AGKS AG

From wreck to show vehicle in less than 3 months this standard Ten van was part of the four car display by David Freeman, North Carolina

1968 TR250 - Hugh Munro

AG AG AG S8 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S9 QUESTIONABLE QUESTIONS… You, Me And Everybody’s Grandmother By David Tushingham DT DF by Patrick Caria l-r Steven Craib, Larry Llewellyn and David The Toronto Triumph Club had This year the Canadian Interna- that would inevitably come: and many Tushingham manning the TTC booth great representation from its mem- tional Auto Show came with much an- did. Several people offered anecdotes of er, flew off the car. Apparently, bers at the Canadian International ticipation. The time spent on the exhibit their own, and I listened with great in- the knock-off centre-caps came Auto Show. During the show, we had floor surrounded by our gems just flew. terest. There were stories of restorations undone! Of course there was many volunteers on the show floor to It now seems like a distant memory. Al- from the ground up, questions on how extensive damage done, which answer any questions that the public though my Trixie was not a part of it, I to differentiate what were stock options dropped the price dramatically. had about the History and the Glory was more than happy to be steward to and incredulity over the hard tops. Were (Warning: never tow a car back- of the Triumph automobile. We had some of her better-looking sisters. If the they really six cylinders? How fast do wards that has wire wheels, the some great questions thrown at us truth be told, I felt a certain pride in be- these things go? Where do you get parts? knock offs will unthread them- that were Triumph related, but also ing a part of something so momentous Can you still get parts? (Fred McEach- selves! - Ed.) had some that ranged from the mun- as well as so important to the TTC. ern is by now about as legendary as the Voila! Our booth is ready in But I digress! I thought the dane to the bizarre. Here are the top Given that I own a TR6 I thought my marque itself!) time for Press Day entire premise of this article had five questions by category compiled services would best be applied with the I could go on and on. One eleven- something to do with its title? by some of the TTC volunteers who “sixes”. I did a little research prior to the year-old boy attending the show with had started with them, as I did with all The one thing that struck me were front and center at the show on show to prepare myself for the questions his dad almost reduced me to tears. I the others; “Hello, are you folks enjoy- most was the sheer number of a daily basis. ing the show?“ Some would nod and previous TR6 owners out there T he Top Five Triumph Related Questions . keep on walking, others just needed an that I, only one of many club 1 .D o they still make Triumphs/What was the last year excuse to start up a good chat about volunteers, had the pleasure of they were made? Jolly Good Show Fid! old British cars. At first, both dad and speaking to. Was your experi- 2 .Can you still buy parts for them/Where can I buy son just nodded until I said, “Thanks ence similar to mine? Did every parts for them? By all accounts, the Canadian International Auto Show was a huge success story for visiting our exhibit.“ Dad looked at other punter out there own a 3 .Ar e Triumph cars and motorcycles made by the for the Toronto Triumph Club. We were able to put on a brilliant display of 46 me and replied, “Are you kidding? Wild Triumph or knew someone who same company? cars that truly showcased “The History and The Glory” of the Triumph marque. horses couldn’t have kept him away” did? If I recall correctly, there 4 . oh w much does one cost/Are these cars for sale? We should all be very proud. Dad went on to explain that although ‘Beige Shirts’ answering visitors was a gentleman who claimed 5 . oh w much horsepower/How fast do they go? If you were able to attend the show in person, or had a chance to see or read he had other commitments for the day, questions - Patrick Caria right his grandmother bought one the various multimedia presentations offered, you will understand the size and and Bob Craske left T he Top Five General/Mundane Questions . they were put on hold, because once brand new in the seventies. scope of this undertaking. 1 . oh w do I get to the North Building/Where are the his son got wind of the show he just People seemed quite genuine Exotic Cars? It was over a year ago that the TTC was approached by the CIAS Executive to DT had to come see his beloved TR6s. them show up, it will be one of our big- in their accounts, and I certainly have 2 . oh w do I get to Front Street/How do I get outside? see if we would be interested in participating in the 2012 show as the featured The boy finally dragged himself gest events yet! no reason to discredit their claims. On 3 .W here are the washrooms? marque. After some discussion within the Club Executive it was decided to go away from a thorough visual examina- To share another memorable mo- the contrary, I thought it quite heart- 4 .W here are all the muscle cars/Where are the Cruise ahead with the offer in the full understanding that this would become a mam- tion and I opened up with “So, what do ment, there was one middle-aged cou- warming that they all seemed to remi- Nationals? moth undertaking. It was at this point that David Fidler offered his services and you think?” The barrage of information ple that was easy to engage. The lady nisce with a sense of nostalgia, pleased 5 .D o you drive these things? volunteered to be our CIAS Liaison and Planner. that started to spew out of him went on was the gear-head and owned Ameri- to see so many wonderful working ex- Much of the show’s success can be attributed to Fid’s leadership, ambition and T he Top Five Bizarre Questions . for what may very well have been fif- can muscle cars. Her interest in British amples at the show. 1 . oh w come you don’t have any Sunbeam Tigers on dedication. With the number of cars involved, one can only imagine the daunting teen minutes. I would require several cars was there, but not enough to own I can only hope that the show had an display? logistics and complicated arrangements involved. From selecting and sourcing pages of this magazine to relate it all, if one. She went on to tell me about her influence on present and future Triumph 2 .W ill you remember me in your Will? the cars, arranging transportation, organizing and scheduling volunteers, liaising only I were not so thunderstruck by the neighbour’s adventures with a Stag none aficionados to carry on with the legacy (Looking at the Herald) with the CIAS representatives, setting up the display and dealing with the media, amount of knowledge that he was bom- of them favourable, which led to him of a marque gone from the market place 3 .Ar e you guys part of a club? among many others tasks, Fid did it all. Not only was Fid on the show floor for barding me with. Some of it I knew, and eventually getting rid of the car. This is for so many years, a legacy etched in the 4 .W hat year is that black Rolls Royce? every hour of every day that the show was open, but he was there a week earlier, (Looking at the Gloria) some was… well, I would have to take where the story took a sad turn. The day memories of so many. Let us hope that we before the show officially opened, and for a few days after the show closed, to his word for it. Did I mention that he he was to bring the car to an auction have inspired a new generation of classic . . and My Two Personal Favorites supervise the safe loading and unloading of the cars. Now that is dedication! was all of eleven years old? I extended “She“ would not start! In comes the tow- car lovers to join in the quest to preserve 5a How do you fit in that little car? On behalf of all the Toronto Triumph Club Members, thank you Fid for putting an invitation and hoped to see them truck that lifted the car from the rear. On and drive our beloved Triumphs. Perhaps (A guy looking at me and then my car) on a “Jolly Good Show”! both at British Car Day on September the Motorway (British car, remember) in ten years time we will once again have 5b What’s with that scruffy white car out there? David Tushingham 16th, as I hope to see all those people some twenty miles down the road the Triumphs on the international stage for (My TR6 was the only all white car in the show…) President, Toronto Triumph Club I spoke with at the show. If only half of two front wheels, first one, then the oth- the world to see. CIAS

S10 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S11 1980 TR8 - Peter Bulkouski (VARAC)

1970 GT6 - Vince Garrett (VARAC) 1962 TR4 - Mike DeWeerd (VARAC)

Triumph y ilvag

Timeline Sz Joe Photo: Post war sports cars from start to finish 1968 TR250 - Brad Nelson

1959 TR3 (submitted as a 3, but is actually a 3A) - Nick Palozzi 1960 TR3A - Alistair Wallace 1962 TR4 - George Christie 1967 TR4A IRS - John Lille KS

1953 TR2 - Tim Body MC MC MC MC AG

MC 1963 Spitfire 4 (MKI) - Neil Lovell 1975 Spitfire MKIV - George Christie 1969 GT6 - Shawn Vromman 1973 GT6 - Tony Grosso 1969 TR6 - David Fidler 1973 TR6 - Wayne McGill

KS MC

MC MC KS 1976 TR6 - Scott McCoy 1977 TR7 - Larry Llewellyn 1980 TR8 - Tom Tonks AG MC 1973 Stag - Robin & Ria Searle 1974 .5 TR6 - JC Millar Antiques Ltd .

Previously owned by TTC member Gord Linkletter, . . another unrestored example a very low mileage unrestored car KS MC S12 MC Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S13 1973 TR6 - David Tushingham

KS 1976 TR6 ‘survivor’ Hot & Stock (rubber bumpers removed when new) - Factory & modified Triumphs AG Scott Douglas KS

1959 TR3A - Chris Barnett

1960 TR3A - David Belluz

AG KS

1976 TR6 with hardtop - Mario Ervhalo 1973 TR6 - Howard Rothblott

1974 .5 TR6 (rubber bumpers removed) with hardtop - Bob Craske

1958 TR3A - Alex McLeod AG AG 1960 TR3A - David MacKay 1977 Spitfire with AG TBI system - Don Johnson

1963 Race prepared 1967 Herald - TR4 - Frank Manning AG Wayne McGill

S14 KS AG Canadian International Auto Show Supplement Canadian International Auto Show Supplement S15 Rimmer ad 'D overseas' 08 1/7/08 14:44 Page 1

AG 1980 TR8 - Ron Etty FREE 1982 TR8 - Dennis Alsop A BRITISH COMPANY SUPPORTING BRITISH CARS CATALOGUES

1980 TR8 - Scott McCoy KS KS 1981 TR8 - Brad Reynolds 75,000 SQ FT OF SPACE FULL RANGE OF PARTS & ACCESSORIES Great prices! Great service! volunteers, Cars & Owners PARTS PICKED FROM 1000’S OF LOCATIONS Our thanks to these amazing people and their beautiful vehicles...

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Alsop, Dennis The History Room Tim Body St Thomas ON TR2 1955 Primrose Yellow Barnett, Chris Rare & Unusual Nick Palozzi Woodbridge ON TR3(A) 1959 Signal Red PARTS SERVICE Boyd, Riley Hot & Stock Alistair Wallace Dundas ON TR3A 1960 Ice Blue Caria, Patrick VARAC Cars George Christie Collingwood ON TR4 1962 Signal Red SALES OFFICE Craib, Steven John Lille Toronto ON TR4A IRS 1967 Maroon AT THE RIGHT PRICE? Craske, Bob Brad Nelson Mississauga ON TR250 1968 Signal Red Ervalho, Mario Neil Lovell Port Credit ON Spitfire 4 (Mk1) 1963 Black Etty, Ron George Christie Collingwood ON Spitfire MkVI 1975 Yellow Fidler, David Shawn Vromman Bolton ON GT6 1969 Maroon COME TO THE EXPERTS Fox Sr., Tony Tony Grosso Scarborough ON GT6 1972 Green David Fidler Mississauga ON TR6 1969 Signal Red We stock MG Rover and Land Rover parts too. Garrett, Vince (VARAC) Wayne McGill Oakville ON TR6 1973 Laurel Green . . . . Johnson, Don STAG TR2-8 SPITFIRE GT6 HERALD Gord Linkletter Waterloo ON TR6 1974.5 Carmine Red VITESSE . DOLOMITE . 2000/2500 Johnson, Judy Scott McCoy Peterborough ON TR6 1976 Inca Yellow Rimmer Bros tick all the boxes:- Koski, Tony Robin & Ria Searle Brechin ON Stag 1977 Signal Red Lille, John Larry Llewellyn North York ON TR7 1977 Yellow I Competitive prices Lillico, Craig Tom Tonks Toronto ON TR8 1980 Beige Lindsay, Chris Vince Garrett Penetang ON GT6 1970 Race Car I Llewellyn, Larry Mike DeWeerd Woodstock ON TR4 1962 Race Car AUTHORISED PARTS DISTRIBUTOR Great customer service MacKay, Dave Peter Bulkowski Hanover ON TR8 1980 Race Car Original Parts & Accessories Manning, Frank Corey Sherman Long Island NY Italia 2000 1960 Black ROVER SD1 . ROVER 75/45/25 I Efficient mail order anywhere McGill, Wayne Corey Sherman Long Island NY GTR4 Dové 1963 Ice Blue MGF/MGTF . MG ZT/ZS/ZR Munro, Hugh Dave Roeder Toronto ON 1800 Roadster 1948 Maroon ROVER 200/400/600/800 I World’s largest Triumph stock Nelson, Brad Wayne McGill Oakville ON Herald Conv. 1967 Yellow METRO/MINI . MAESTRO/MONTEGO Parkhill, Ian Dave Hutchison Perkasie PA Italia 2000 1961 Red I Free catalogues Roeder, Dave David Freeman High Point NC Triumph 10 Saloon 1959 Burgundy/Cream LAND ROVER Sims, Dave David Freeman High Point NC Standard 10 Pickup 1957 Red Sims, Maggie David Freeman High Point NC Triumph 10 Estate 1959 Blue/White AUTHORISED PARTS DISTRIBUTOR I Trade enquiries welcome David Freeman High Point NC Standard 10 Van 1964 Blue Original Parts & Accessories Tushingham, David Dennis Mamchur Caldwell NJ Gloria 1935 Black Vromman, Shawn RANGE ROVER CLASSIC/P38A/SERIES 3 I Hugh Munro Toronto ON TR250 1968 Blue . Easy to use website Wallace, Alistair DISCOVERY 1 & 2 FREELANDER Dave Tushingham Newmarket ON TR6 1973 New White DEFENDER . ROVER V8 ENGINES Warren, Peter Mario Ervalho Toronto ON TR6 1976 Carmen Red Widrich, Dion Scott Douglas Burlington ON TR6 1976 Tahiti Blue Bob Craske Dundas ON TR6 1974.5 Royal Blue Howard Rothblott Toronto ON TR6 1973 Pimento Red PARTS SALES & ENQUIRIES PHOTOGRAPHERS Alex McLeod Peterborough ON TR3A 1958 Green Chris Barnett Toronto ON TR3A 1959 Signal Red Tel: 01144 1522 568000 SALES KS - Keith Stewart (TTC) David Belluz Mississauga ON TR3A 1960 Maroon COUNTER VISITORS WELCOME Trade Enquiries: 01144 1522 567111 & VISITOR We are open:- MON – FRI; 8.30am to 5.30pm, AG - Andrew Grace (TTC) David MacKay Port Credit ON TR3A 1960 Signal Red CENTRE SAT; 8.30am to 1pm. Scott McCoy Peterborough ON TR8 1980 Beige DF - David Fidler (TTC) Fax: 01144 1522 567600 Brad Reynolds Burlington ON TR8 1981 Green MC - Michael Cleland (Ragtop) Ron Etty Hamilton ON TR8 1980 Silver E-mail: [email protected] BROWSE OUR LL - Larry Llewellyn (TTC) Dennis Alsop London ON TR8 1982 Silver CATALOGUES Don Johnson Barrie ON Spitfire 1977 Red www.rimmerbros.co.uk ON YOUR PC DT - David Tushingham (TTC) Frank Manning Grimsby ON TR4 1963 BRG Rimmer Bros. Triumph House, Sleaford Rd (A15), All our TOTAL 46 CARS Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4 2NA, England. Catalogues & Cover Photo: Pavel Voronenko current Price Guides are available on one CD. Small charge is made to cover burning & postage. S16 Canadian International Auto Show Supplement special feature THERE’S NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF by Terence McKillen

hose of us who drive a clas- the blowing of the thumps, sighs, clicks, rattles and bangs old pair of cavalry twill pants and maybe sicT British sports car or indeed any cylinder head gasket made by the car – these are the sounds of a tweed jacket, perhaps even with a but- car that is 30 or more years old, after only 30 miles of old age mainly experienced when crossing toned collar and tie plus or minus a cloth live in some degree of fear or ap- motoring, leaving me over the likes of recessed manhole cov- cap. Oh, the memories! prehension that something could stranded quite a few ers, or even tar filled expansion cracks and This need to tweak is a constant pres- go wrong. If you are like most clas- miles from home. I what passes for normal road surfaces these ence with all classic car fans no matter what sic car aficionados you may well be know others have re- days! All of these sounds collectively add our ethnic background or the marque we closely attuned to your car’s mood, counted similar expe- to the enjoyment of driving, even if a men- favour. It seems to foster a closer relation- characterised by the unique noises riences and we have tal note is being made that it really is time ship between driver and machine. The car it makes under various circum- probably allowed this to replace at least some of the rubber body somehow assumes a personality and is stances. We know and become ac- fear to affect our abili- mounts that have probably hardened or no longer just an inanimate object. Some customed to the combination of ty to comfortably take even completely disintegrated over time of us even go so far as to attribute names sounds that represent normality our classic cars on lon- leading to some unwanted sloppiness be- to our cars – Rosie (gasp)! And some of us and, in their absence or in the pres- ger trips. We are psy- tween body and frame. may even speak to our cars, beyond the ence of something unusual, we start chologically tethered As my friend and fellow Six owner, expletives used when a repair job isn’t go- to panic, as might a herd of zebra as PHOTO: Chuck Goolsbee Courtesey 6-PACK 2012 Calendar by this experience Colin Pillar, has stated on more than one ing exactly to plan! I can’t see doing that to they sense the ominous presence of even though we may occasion, the unreliability factor is part a Volvo or a BMW which are, after all, just a a hungry lioness. sive training and instruction in the theory upwards and backwards and I can clearly have, as in my own case, virtually rebuilt of the charm and the adventure of classic means of comfortable reliable transporta- In my 2011 Volvo, there are a whole and practise of flight prior to the Chief Fly- recall standing there watching rocks and our cars and know them quite intimately British motoring. Who needs the clinical tion whereas our classic British sports cars host of sensors, gauges, lights and coming Instructor signing off my log book for boulders, some the size of a small car, com- by this stage. reliability of a BMW? are a means unto themselves, created for puter generated messages that continu- solo flight. Now, if there happened to be ing my way, all as if in slow motion. My feet As I drive along in my Six, it is not usu- During the heyday of the British car the pure enjoyment and sheer fun of top ally monitor and adjust the performance a strong, gusty crosswind on that particu- never moved but my body seemed to sway ally the Sixties on Six on Sirius XM to which industry, the typical English car owner, down driving and that sense of oneness of the car or tell me, for example, that the lar day, then it might have been different! from side to side in an attempt to avoid the I am listening, rather I am keeping an ear if not the entire British Isles contingent, with nature and the open road. centre rear seat belt has been engaged, Even in the midst of a catastrophic event approaching missiles. Thankfully, we all (or two) tuned to catch the first abnormal were known as automotive tinkerers and Franklin D. Roosevelt is credited with the that the tail gate is unlatched or that the there often is no time for fear. Fear occurs survived without injury but a few hours lat- sound, my hands and feet are all comput- tweakers (was that where the TT in the quotation which prompted the title to this left side reversing light bulb isn’t working. when one has too much time to contem- er on the way to Reno, my colleague pulled ing vibration or other sensory inputs for Isle of Man TT came from?) and I think piece. In his inaugural presidential address I read recently that the central computer in plate. This was fully brought home to me as our rented Land Cruiser over at the side of something unusual, for any indication of that the car manufacturers presumed that of 1933 he states, “So, first of all, let me assert the new BMW 6-Series Coupé (650i) is fed a result of an experience in the mid-1980s the road and we were violently sick – the pending trouble. I am also regularly scan- to be the case and designed their cars to my firm belief that the only thing we have tens of thousands of data inputs per mil- when I was visiting a gold mine in Nevada. fear and shock had finally hit home after ning the instrument panel, a habit derived require constant adjustment and tuning. to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, lisecond as it continually monitors the ABS, The open cast mine was being developed too much thought and discussion! from my flying days, to ensure that the It was a Saturday or Sunday morning ritu- unjustified terror which paralyzes needed DST, DTC, CBC, DBC, or some other three- as two separate pits and together with a The point is that if one understands temperature, oil pressure and alternator al, depending on one’s religious upbring- efforts to convert retreat into advance.” In lettered acronym, and all is displayed colleague, I was being given a tour of the the risks and the processes involved then are in positive territory and that no warning, to at least hand wash and wax polish the spirit of Roosevelt, I plan to make 2012 through heads-up (HUD) technology on “west pit” as, according to our engineer the chance of something “happening” out ing lights are glowing. By staying attuned one’s car. The more daring, but not nec- the year in which I strike out on longer trips to the windscreen. Clearly, car engineering guide, a blast was being planned for the of the blue is minimised and fear can be to our cars we can hear and interpret what essarily more mechanically experienced, in my Six, cutting that psychological um- has advanced amazingly in 50 years, but “east pit.” Well, our guide got his compass relegated to a backseat role and actually they are saying to us – who therefore needs could be seen lying in their driveways or bilical cord that has been restraining us to has at least some of the fun of driving been points mixed up and without warning the become a component part of the adven- a central computer as in the BMW 650i? on the street under their cars while using a 100 mile radius of home base, but like lost as a result? There is no longer anything entire bench on which we were standing ture. The same reasoning also applies to Is there anything comparable to hear- the pavement (aka side walk) as a sort of Linus van Pelt from Charles Schulz’s comic left to fear – heck, the BMW will even apply was blasted onto a lower level where we running a classic sports car. Some of this ing and sensing that everything is running ½-ramp to gain some ground clearance strip Peanuts, I’m not planning, just yet, to the brakes if it senses it is getting too close had been standing only minutes before. fear may be primordial, gained, as in my properly; the music of a well tuned exhaust to facilitate oil changes and drive shaft/ dispose of my security blanket. I’ll insist that to the car in front. Fortunately, we were examining gold min- own particular circumstances, by an expe- note as the engine reaches its sweet spot on transmission lubrication. Sometimes Colin motors along side in his Six. Getting back to fear itself, I was often eralization on the back wall of the bench rience the very day I collected my TR6 from the power curve or the precision of a snap- these aficionados, depending on their Oh, and let’s not be too unkind to asked if I was scared when making my at the time of the explosion and so were its previous owner. As previously related py gear shift or the exhaust burble as one Monday to Friday status, would be seen BMW – they do after all own the Triumph first solo flight as a pilot. The answer was spared being blown into oblivion, howev- in the Spring 2011 issue of Ragtop, my ex- executes a perfect down shift? As I drive, I dressed in boiler suits or coveralls while brand and one day may very well bring unequivocally no, because of the progres- er, a significant part of any explosion goes perience was a cooling system failure and will also be monitoring the normal groans, the white collared folk would be out in an us a TR9. ragtop

24 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 25 historically speaking

to a US Triumph dealer in New York State. remnants were found when the dealership Mike Rose wrote on the Friends of Triumph closed in 1980, and were purchased by the forum in 2002, “When I was in high school owner of a race preparation shop in New by Simon Rasmussen my father was a Triumph dealer. Since we York, a Mr. Julien. He supplied the neces- What happened to were so close to Detroit (in NW Ohio) we sary parts and rebuilt them into a complete his would seem to be a simple ques- had to drive to Detroit to Standard Tri- car, which he sold in 1992, apparently tak- tionT to answer: England has a licensing sys- umph the importer and bring the cars back ing a Mini in part payment. tem in which the plate stays with the car, to Ohio, The building where Standard Tri- This car was later sold and returned and not with the owner, so as long as the umph was located was several stories high to England. It has been rebuilt to original car has not been scrapped and the plate the works TR4 and an elevator was used to bring new cars works specification by Neil Revington of withdrawn and reissued to a different ve- from the upper floors to street level where Revington TR, but the fact that its com- hicle, the identity of the car should be easy we took delivery after the paperwork was mission number plate is not original casts to trace. Indeed there are three powder completed. Once, when I was wandering some doubt on its authenticity. The car blue TR4s in England registered 3VC, 4VC about the building I came across all three now belongs to a group, or trust of five in- and 6VC- these must surely be three of the of the Shell 4000 rally cars backed against dividuals who share in its use, one of the four team cars? rally team cars? the wall in the rear of the building. They five being Tony Sheach, who has compet- 4VC looked, quite honestly, like hell.” Two of the ed in historic rallies with the car. In practice it is not that simple... One of them, 4VC, stayed in England and three cars may have been sold on and one First of all, these were competition cars in has a continuous ownership history. It was kept for a while, parts of it possibly being 6VC a sport which is extremely hard on equip- sold to Gordon Birtwistle, a Triumph em- sold to individuals wanting performance In an article titled “Three of a kind” in Issue ment. One can readily imagine the three ployee initially. Ian Cornish then purchased parts for their own cars. #27 of Triumph World, Graham Robson, cars coming back from France after an the car from Birtwistle in 1969, unaware Russ Moore, a well-known Spitfire racer, who was the manager of the Standard event and being prepared for the next at the time of its history. He used 4VC as added the following: “About 10 years ago Triumph competition department from rally. One may need a new back axle, an- a daily driver for some years, having the there was what seemed to be a Shell TR-4 1962-1965, stated that “there were only other needs a new bonnet, front wing and engine, gearbox and back axle as well as in a body/restoration shop in Syracuse NY. ever four cars, and no fiddles with regis- one door, the third has a bent chassis, and some body panels replaced. In the 1990s It had alloy panels and the fancy venting tration numbers”. But he also wrote “af- all need new clutches and brakes. (Jean- the car was rebuilt by Revington TR - an that gave it the identifying character.” Pat ter the 1963 Alpine Rally, 6VC got a new Jacques Thuner is reported as having said article in Classic Car magazine stated “Neil Onions, who entered his TR4 in the 1965 bodyshell and a new chassis identity”. This that the chassis of his TR4 was replaced five carried out a lengthy rebuild on what was Shell 4000, mentions in his book that the car was also heavily damaged in the 1964 times in a period of two and a half years! little more than a pile of rust”. It is perhaps roll bar of his car was purchased from a Tri- Shell rally in Canada, and was rebuilt again This kind of damage is clearly visible in a “recreation” more than a restoration, and umph dealer in Rochester. “He had bought with another new chassis. The car was re- photographs of the cars after some of the has had its commission number plate re- one of the “works” prepared TR-4s that ran stored by Revington after being purchased events.) The quickest solution is to replace placed, but this car likely has the best claim in the previous Shell 4000 and invited us to in Wisconsin, but lacked the alloy body the car that needs the most work with a to being of historical significance. It is well use anything off the car we would need.” panels and longer, Vanguard boot hinges spare car that has already been repaired, known to members of the TR Register and With these confirmations from primary it should have had. Though this car may and simply move the license plate over. is used on historic rallies in England. sources we can be pretty sure of this part have the “heritage” of 6VC it is difficult to Perhaps someone makes a handwritten The other three cars that made up the of the story. But there are gaps of several say in the normal sense of the word that it note of the change in the shop log, per- major mechanical components rebuilt originally homologated. This creates a team, 3VC, 5VC and 6VC had all been con- years when the cars were not licensed for has the “identity” of 6VC! This car is owned haps not, perhaps the note is clearly leg- or replaced because of wear, then it is no market for reproductions of original works verted to left hand drive and exported to the road and may have changed hands by Neil Revington. Given the number of ible, perhaps a cup of tea gets spilt on the longer original, though it may still have parts and for TR4s, for example, brand new the United States in 1964 prior to being without documentation, so the history is chassis that have carried this registration it log... the priority is to get the cars ready, the same serial number and license plate. alloy body panels, 18 gallon gas tanks, and entered in the Canadian Shell 4000 Rally. untraceable. is possible one of these will be found and not to keep perfect paperwork. It may be fair to say the car has a continu- other items can now be purchased brand (The conversion to left hand drive alone Here is what we can piece together of built up into a car, possibly with some pe- The concept of “originality” is a difficult ous history or good provenance, and that it new. Many enthusiasts purchase these makes it difficult to determine the “cor- the history of 3VC, 5VC and 6VC: riod works components, and its owner may one to square with the history of most is rebuilt rather than restored, but it is not items for their own cars, and even paint rect” version of the cars.) These cars were claim it to be 6VC. cars used in competition. A more useful “original” in the sense of retaining most of them the same powder blue as the works registered in the US with Oregon plates; it 3VC concept might be “authenticity”- in other the original components. cars to make replicas. seems likely the port of entry was in Ore- 3VC was apparently sold to a Rochester 5VC words a car which is presented in histori- Moving on 30 years or so we find that The identities and histories of the actual gon. Kas Kastner says he does not recall the area Triumph dealer and then to a dealer in 5VC was apparently retained by the Roches- cally accurate form or to the correct period historic races and rallies have become pop- four TR4s that competed as the Triumph circumstances, but speculated that Ameri- Ohio, (probably Mike Rose’s dad) who sold ter dealer for his own use until about 1970 specifications. If a race or rally car has had ular and cars from the 1960s are now being rally team from 1962-1965 are quite dif- can registration was required to establish it to one of his customers. This customer when it was sold to a friend of his named the chassis and many of the body panels used competitively again, prepared to the ficult to trace and have been the topic of legal ownership. apparently parted out the car, and many Dick Zwitzer, who continued to drive it un- replaced because of accidents, and all the rules that were in effect when they were lively discussion. After the rally they were apparently sold of the original components were sold. The til about 1976. It was then sold to a German

26 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 27 Rally cars received rough treatment throughout their lives . JENSEN TRIUMPH AUSTIN-HEALEY JAGUAR ASTON MARTIN Photo shows BMC 1100s being muscled though a muddy field MERCEDES AUSTIN ALVIS BMW buyer in 1994 and exported to Germany. In BENTLEY ROLLS-ROYCE SUNBEAM LOTUS CORD TVR 1998 it was purchased by the current owner DAIMLER MG RALEIGH VAUXHALL Carsten Conrads, who claims that about 60- 65 percent of the car is original, including BRISTOLLANDROVER PORSCHE ANGUS-SANDERSON WOLSELEYL R ALLARD RELIANT MORGAN the engine and Salisbury type rear axle with NE a 4.33 ratio differential. No less an expert AUDI ARMSTRONG-SIDDELEY LANCHESTER STRAKER-SQUIRE than Anders Ditlev Clausager, the archivist TROJAN INVICTA MORRIS ARGYLL of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, is on record in an article he wrote (refuting 905-953-0052 some of the points made by Graham Rob- www.lnerautomotive.ca son), that based on the percentage of original parts in each car, he felt that 5VC had as strong a claim to being “the real thing” as 4VC. (The Trust is the organisation which can research the original production data know, the ones with the commission num- We can only hope that Triumphs will not for cars built in Britain, and issue a certificate ber?” Alertly, he invited the sender of the reach the value levels that have caused so showing the date of manufacture and origi- email to provide the commission number much attempted fraud in the Shelby Cobra nal specifications.) of his car so Marcel could check it for him. and Ferrari markets! ragtop Marcel Chichak from Edmonton has Though there was further communication done a huge amount of research into the this information was not provided. Sources: Shell 4000 rally and has built a fascinat- It seems that having rebuilt three of the Forum of the TR Register, U.K. ing website detailing the history of the cars, Neil Revington is now acknowledged Friends of Triumph Forum. event. Several years ago he received an as the foremost expert on these cars. This Revington TR website. email from Germany asking him if he had enhances the credibility of the cars re- Shell 4000 Rally website- Marcel Chichak the registration documents on 5VC, “You stored by him, and now based in the UK. Photo collection of Jason Chinn.

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28 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 29 marque my words My

by Ron ETR8tty - TR7/TR8 Marque Coordinator p front I have a confession to bumper was the final choice Umake - I have a mistress and like all good of the engineering depart- mistresses, she is much younger than I am ment. The “swoop” along the - just turned thirty in fact. Heck, I’m over length of the TR7 was a later twice her age, but she sure makes me feel addition at the request of young at heart. And she is so pretty - my Triumph management. Like- heart does a little flutter every time I see wise, the boys in the execu- her. I get all tingly when she gives me that tive suite decided to make the “look” when her big eyes pop up out of her TR7 feel bigger by moving the bonnet. The funny thing about all of this windshield forward. This little is my wife doesn’t even seem to mind the change from Mann’s design “other woman.” makes it impossible for the This imaginary mistress is, of course, driver to see North American my Triumph TR8 and her equally pretty style stoplights without bend- older cousin the TR7. When I first noticed ing forward in the seat. Al- the TR7 in the seventies, I was not im- though I like the final design, mediately struck by its good looks. De- I’m willing to bet a TR7 as orig- spite being advertised as “the shape of inally planned with a T-top things to come” or simply “the Wedge,” would have been a nicer car. I preferred the classic looks of the older A couple of rare TR7 mod- Triumphs better. But, over the years, this els come to mind. A TR7 Sprint body style has grown on me so that I can was used as a factory rally car. now honestly say that I like it - a lot. The Only 60 of these cars were 1976 styling has finally become accept- built with about 20 surviving. able and was indeed the shape of things The Sprint used the 16 valve to come. Sometimes though, I wish the engine from the Triumph taillights didn’t look so clunky, but that is Dolomite, producing 127 horsepower happened with the introduction of the Some TR8 models, mainly destined for I have owned! I know there are plenty of those bigger wheels, an opportunity exists my only complaint with the styling. (standard TR7s were equipped with the TR8, advertised as the “English Corvette.” California, had fuel injection and these cars faster cars, but when you are sitting low to to install larger calipers and rotors. Harris Mann, chief designer for the TR7 8 valve Dolomite engine rated at around Sister company Rover purchased the were even faster, rated at about 145 horse the ground with the wind blowing through My TR8 has a tendency to overheat if project, had to focus his efforts with an 100 horsepower). Another model was the rights to a General Motors all-aluminum power. The only other improvement to the your hair, you’re king of the road. sitting too long in traffic. Back in the early eye to the American market. Because it TR7 Spider, distinctive with black paint, 3.5 liter motor that GM had used in Buick TR8, over the TR7, was slightly larger brakes Wheels and tires are another popular up- eighties, the only solution was to rev the was thought the Americans were getting red striping and red decals. This car came Specials and Oldsmobile F-85s. This same to handle the extra power. grade for the TR7 and TR8 models. The origi- motor while in traffic in order to cool the ready to ban convertibles, Mann designed only as a fully loaded convertible with air, engine block was used in Formula One Many owners carry out engine up- nal 13 inch tires are getting difficult to find engine. Today, many TR7 and TR8 own- the TR7 with a T-top, similar to the Triumph stereo, alloy wheels, and the five speed race cars, with only a few modifications, grades, “souping them up” with the likes of so some TR owners are choosing new larger ers are opting to replace the old belt and Stag, and with a futuristic sloping front transmission, selling in Canada for about by the Brabham team that won the 1966 modified camshafts, replacing the original “mag” wheels and coupling them to mod- clutch driven fan with a modern electric hood. Sadly, the T-top died on the draw- $10,700 in 1979. F1 World Championship. dual carburetors with four-barrel Holleys, ern low profile tires. This keeps the circum- fan with adjustable temperature controls. ing board in favour of the hardtop. Colour- The TR7 was always planned to have a The TR8 with original dual Stromberg and modified pistons giving higher com- ference of the tire similar to original with a This results in much better control of the coded bumpers were originally planned V8 engine shoehorned under that slop- carburetors developed about 130 horse pression. My TR8 came with all of these modern look. Wheel sizes up to sixteen inch overheating problem, and the two hun- for the TR7, but the “ fits everything” black ing hood and in 1980 that is exactly what power compared to about 100 for the TR7. upgrades and this car is easily the fastest are available. With all the new space behind dred dollar investment seems good insur-

30 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 31 BACK THEN WE WERE THE EXPERTS ance against catastrophic engine overheating. I have purchased even my wife enjoys the opportunity to drive the car. an electric fan and plan to install it in my car soon. Before TR8 production was halted in 1982, about 2,750 cars AT INSURING ‘57 CHEVYS Many TR7 and TR8 owners are opting for stiffer springs, ad- were built. Only 352 TR8s were produced in 1981, all with fuel justable shocks, and a new set of harder polyurethane bushings injection, and in 1982 only 69 were built - all of which came to to improve handling. This is a six hundred dollar investment if Canada. Because of these statistics, I consider myself lucky to you are able to do it yourself. I am in the process of making that have acquired a rare car from a gentleman who knew all the de- decision, as my car seems to “float” at higher speeds. Many own- tails of the car, and who spent considerable time and money on ers I have spoken to love the improved handling and the stiffer it as well. It is not in perfect condition and will need repainting ride, but one enthusiast who did this suspension work hated it so in the future. During the last year I have only had to do minor much that he put the original equipment back on. This particular repairs based on things that were overlooked previously or im- upgrade must therefore be one of personal choice. An excellent properly done, mainly wiring in the dashboard-clock, dash lights resource for these upgrades is a book by Roger Williams, entitled and heat gauge. I have also replaced the carpet and upholstery “How to Improve TR7, TR7V8 & TR8” (ISBN 978-1-845840-45-7 - Ve- and installed a high-end radio. loce Publishing - Ed.). TR7s can be found today as “parts cars” or “handyman specials” Most TR8s had the 5-speed manual transmission, but Tri- starting at a very low price and their value can escalate easily to umph offered an automatic transmission, supplied by Borg War- upwards of $15,000. A rare TR7 Sprint (the black one with the red ner, mainly to the U.S. market. In 1979, about 150 demonstrator decals) would likely fetch more than $25,000 in good condition. models of the new 1980 TR8’s were shipped to dealerships across Because TR8s are fairly rare, I would guess that their value would North America, most having automatic transmissions and all be- start in the $5,000 range. There are so few TR8s around that find- ing coupes - no convertibles and few five speeds! Today, it is hard ing a cheaper unrestored car as a fixer-upper is next to impossible. to understand this reasoning - trying to sell a sports car with an There are TR8s advertised on the internet for upwards of $25,000. automatic transmission. My TR8 is a five speed and except for city Something to consider when buying a TR8 is the difference be- driving when gear changing is frequent I have no complaints - tween a real TR8 and a TR7V8. There are quite a few TR7 owners who AND WE STILL ARE.

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32 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 have put the V8 motor into their cars, bought the TR8 decals, and weak spot to be examined carefully. Race/rally cars always support converted their TR7 to a TR8. Done correctly, these are wonderful these towers with a brace. cars, but if you are paying for a TR8 and want a TR8, check the VIN 7) Keep a close watch on the temperature gauge, especially in number carefully! stopped traffic and on hot days. Based on what I have read, people I have talked to and my own There is an excellent Buyer’s Guide on the WorldWideWedge knowledge from working on my cars in the past, here are some website at (http://www.team.net/TR8/ TR7-TR8-BuyersGuide.html). things I would look for if purchasing a TR7 or TR8: Before I purchased my TR8, I was looking for a sports car from 1) Try to buy a later model TR7 with the five speed transmission, the fifties or sixties, something with a wood dash and a bone- early models with the four speed transmission were said to be prob- jarring ride - a “real” sports car. But then came the opportunity lematic to buy the TR8 - forget the wood dash, this thing had a V8! I just 2) On both 7s and 8s, check for warped heads or head gasket had to have it, testosterone on the loose! The “shape of things to damage by looking for white smoke out the tailpipe or water in the come” is now in my garage and I now appreciate that really cool oil. Doesn’t happen very often, but it will be expensive if it does styling. My TR8 has been super reliable and a genuine pleasure 3) On both 7s and 8s check the electrics carefully - it seems to drive. Cruising the back roads on a beautiful sunny day, with many electrical issues on these cars end up being difficult to diag- the top down, oldies on the radio, alongside my favourite girl - nose and expensive to repair now this is indeed heaven!! 4) The radiators on these models seem to be the lowest point (Ron Etty is joint marque coordinator for the TR7/8 models on the car - check for “road rash” to the bottom of the radiator, espe- within the Toronto Triumph Club. He acquired his 1980 TR8 in cially the welds on the bracket supporting the radiator late 2010, his first experience of Triumph ownership. The car is 5) Rust damage frequently occurs where the rear suspension is equipped with 4-barrel Holley carburettors, a competition cam, attached to the body (behind the seats, under the floor) and fancy pistons giving a 10.5:1 compression ratio. Ron admits 6) The turrets at the top of the front springs/shocks are another that “it is really fast.” - Ed.) ragtop

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E ngine bay bulk- head hole repair, Six and Two Three’s Part 9 before and after

by David Tushingham and complete a rebuild. When I bought the car it wasn’t running, t has been a little while since my last TR3A until I had some spare time towards Fortunately, my wallet although the previous owner stated that Iupdate… as a matter of fact it was a little the end of June and into early July. The was spared as I found it was running before it was parked. At over a year ago in the 2011 Spring Issue of first thing that needed to be tackled was that the culprit was a the end of December, plans were made Ragtop. Man, how time flies! to weld the new rear valance back on. I faulty/worn switch on to try and see if I could get it to fire. As I I can’t believe how long it is taking me decided that it would be much easier to the transmission top needed some assistance with wiring the to complete this restoration. Don’t get me invest in a spot welder to do this job rath- cover that was jam- car to test start, I asked Scott Douglas to wrong, I am no less motivated to get it done er than use my MIG welder. Kijiji can be ming the gear selector give me a hand and he graciously accept- than I was in the beginning and I am still your friend when looking for lightly used shaft. Long story short, ed. With Syl Demers on fire extinguisher having a lot of fun working on this project. equipment and I found a good heavy-du- the TR3A didn’t get duty and John Morton in attendance for My first full restoration project of my ‘73 TR6 ty spot welder and timing unit for a great touched again until late moral support, we cranked it over and only took me 14 months to complete but price. This proved invaluable to replace all September. despite our best efforts, we could not then, I didn’t have a fun, two seat roadster of the spot welds that I had cut out around I was getting tired of get it to start. We definitely had spark, to drive in the summer months! the spare tire opening. It was also great to seeing the TR3A in state but were having issues getting fuel from Last spring and into early summer was re-attach a new front driver’s side body to of disassembly for such the carbs into the cylinders. After a cou- a little difficult for me personally as labour frame mount that was rusted beyond re- a long period of time, ple of days troubleshooting, changing issues at work and potential strikes at pair. The new floors that I installed did not the intake manifold and rebuilding some of our facilities across Canada kept come with cage nuts affixed, so new and Test start temporary the carbs, I finally got it to start. me away from home, in a management dash set-up . Great use improved cage nuts were purchased from First time that it had been running support role. Having another TR (or two!) of an old milk crate! Macy’s Garage and welded to the bottom in about 9 years and it was like mu- can also throw a wrench into best-laid of the floor pans. sic to my ears. A great way to start plans. As always, at the beginning of the For me, most weekends throughout the New Year. driving season, I do a thorough inspection the summer are dominated by one British I still have some welding to do, and follow up on some of the items on my Car event or another. I have driven my TR6 but I am almost ready to hang up the “to do” list. The TR6 had some carb and to these events without any major issues MIG and pick up a paint gun. That’s other minor issues that needed attending for the past 4 years. Unfortunately, this right… I have decided that I am go- to, so the TR3A would have to wait. Putting the panels back on to remember what the car came to an end last July on my return trip ing to learn to do some bodywork I didn’t really to get to work on the looked like! from Ottawa having travelled to the 26th and paint. Over the winter, I pur- so I decided that I would put all the body chased a new Turbine Spray Paint panels and windscreen back on to make it unit (again off Kijiji) and have been doing look like a car again. This in the end was a research on paint and body ever since. good exercise as it served to motivate me Kevin Tetz has a great 5 disc series avail- to continue onwards with renewed vigor. able for purchase called “Paintucation” I continued to work with the welding that I highly recommend. Great resource Front body to frame to close panels on the rear of the car and for a bodyman/painter in the making. I mount, plug welded made progress on patching holes on the have been prepping the tub for interior prior to grinding wheel well arches and inside the body tub. painting and have been media blasting in At one point I counted the holes that need- my garage over the winter months. Very Canadian Classic. I limped back to New- ed to be filled inside the body tub… 36 if effective, but also very very messy. market, after a quick stop in Lindsay for you must know! I hope that by next report, I will have the the “Brits on the Lake” show having lost Without a doubt, the single most mo- body primed and if all goes really well, it 2nd gear. Over the next two weekends, tivating factor for me thus far in the proj- might even have some paint on it… watch Rear valence repair test fit Rear valence finished welded my focus was to remove the transmission ect has been getting the engine started. this space! ragtop

36 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Ragtop I Spring I 2012 www.TorontoTriumph.com 37 YOU PAID HOW MUCH ? Speke Easy by Terence McKillen A speakeasy was a high-class establishment that offered food and entertainment as well as alcoholic beverages in the United States during the 1920s Prohibition Era. In the context of the Triumph Motor Company, Speke, derived from the Old English ‘Spec’, meaning ‘brushwood’, is a suburb of Liverpool located adjacent to the John Lennon airport, which during the 1960s to mid-1970s was the main If you don’t mind paying too much production site for some of Triumph’s saloons (not the speakeasy type), the TR7 as well as body pressings for other models, including the Stag. It had the infamy of being the most inefficient assembly plant in the UK with absenteeism rates of up to 25% on any given day. 1970 for your parts, there is no need to Triumph TR6 This new column will focus on Triumph and other classic motoring tips and trivia. Readers are invited to forward comments and This is a very ideas to [email protected]. read any further. If you would like nice TR6 that lived its entire What a great driving season we had in cost to replace all panel gauge lights is un- a good deal of dirt and other particles to life in California. 2011, especially in the autumn with its under $15) and they screw in to existing bulb fall through on to the crankshaft bearings. to buy your parts at the best prices No rust or body seasonably mild temperatures. I don’t know holders. I ordered mine directly from a sup- A simple method of keeping things clean is damage before we had the paint about you, but I continued driving my TR plier in China, however, Fred McEachern at to use an old compression ring to hold a J- in Canada, read on. Drakes’ British redone in origi- well into December, actually until the day British Auto Sports now has them in stock. cloth at the base of the cylinder which can nal Jasmine yel- after Christmas. I even managed to sneak then be lifted up and out of the way when Motors can supply any part from low. New bum- in a top-down outing as late as December finished. If you use J-cloths or Scot towels pers, sill chrome, windshield and trim seals were fitted throughout and the 3. Mind you, the 2011 season didn’t start Not many people know the history of to block oil and coolant ways in the engine suspension and complete braking system was rebuilt. The engine had been off too pleasantly as all who made it to the the TR10 model produced from 1957 to block while working on the cylinders or the Moss catalogs at the most previously rebuilt and runs great, so we just did a tune up, added new belts, Ancaster British Flea Market on April 17 will 1960, however, those of you who were pistons, be sure that you recover all of the hoses and fuel pump. We also added a fully rebuilt overdrive and the wire attest. The heater that I had rebuilt over the able to attend the recent Canadian Inter- pieces. It has been reported that such piec- reasonable cost to you. But, don’t wheels were refinished complete with new hubs, chrome knockoffs and new previous winter ensured that I was fairly national Auto Show now know the an- es of cloth have subsequently been found Coker redline tires. The complete interior was replaced with all new correct reproduction components and is the original light tan, we also fitted a new toasty inside my Six even if those selling swer! It was introduced by Standard-Tri- floating in the radiator coolant! take our word for this. The next Robbins top with the correct reflective strip. This car is one small step away their wares outside froze off their prover- umph to some export markets, including from being called a full top to bottom restored vehicle, it looks stunning and bials. My driving season actually started a the United States, following the success runs and drives as nice as it looks. $22,500 month previously, on March 19, giving me a of the TR2 and TR3 roadsters. However Are you a half-full or a half-empty kind time you need something, send full nine months of classic motoring before the TR10 was not strictly a Triumph mod- of person? Regardless of your outlook on deciding to call it quits for the year. el at all, but a rebadged Standard 10, of life, the question of whether to keep your us an email for a quote. We will which saloon and estate variants were gas tank completely full or nearly empty 1974 available. It’s a good thing that the TR isn’t an easy one to answer. During the Triumph TR6 o you suffer from range never extended beyond 1981 after regular driving season, some people are get right back to you with a price. D Californian TR6. poor panel gauge illumi- the TR8’s demise, otherwise the chrono- of the opinion that it is best to keep as No accidents, nation at night? Gauge logical order of the numbering system little fuel as possible in the tank, stopping no rust, paint is illumination can suffer would have been upset! Over the years for gas before setting out for a drive, and nice with only over time with deterioration of the reflec- Standard rebadged other cars as Tri- adding just enough for the planned jour- minor defects, tive white paint on the inner surfaces of umphs for additional cachet in selected ney. After returning home, they add fuel Many TTC members are already on a beautiful, the gauge and the green filter into which export markets. stabilizer to the remnants and hope to straight body. the bulb holder is inserted robs much of minimise any gasoline problems. Others believers. Get in touch for a quote New front & rear the transmitted light from the original 2.2 keep the tank completely filled in order to bumpers, stainless trim rings and tires. Tan interior has new seats, panel watt screw-in bulbs. Some people have When reinstalling your engine sump reduce the surface area of the gasoline ex- – [email protected] kit, dashtop, sunvisors, tan Robbins top, retractor seatbelts and wind- had success removing the green filter ma- and gasket, it can often be difficult to keep posed to any humidity. Absorption of wa- shield and seals. Engine is strong with electronic ignition and the overdrive transmission was rebuilt two years ago. 4 tip Ansa exhaust system. terial and repainting the white inside area the gasket in place while trying to get the ter by the ethanol in E10 gasoline occurs Front end rebuild including bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering of their gauges but there is a simpler solu- bolts started. To facilitate easy reinstallation, whether or not the tank is vented. The rack boots & at the rear new differential mounts and trailing arm bushings. tion at hand. I recently fitted 1.2 watt (1/2 moral of this story, at least from a phase consider manufacturing two studs to act as Hydraulics all redone with new clutch and brake master, slave cylinder and the power consumption of the original a guide in holding the gasket in place until separation perspective, is to avoid the use We are also a Canadian distributor for hoses. $16,600. bulbs) 70-Lumen E10 screw-in LED bulbs in the sump can be presented and bolted in of gasoline with ethanol, which means, at Dayton Wire Wheels. my panel lights for an astounding improve- place. Once four bolts are in place the studs least in Southern Ontario, using Premium ment. The advantage of these bulbs is the can be removed and the remainder of the (91 octane) gasoline or to make more huge improvement in luminosity at a sig- bolts torqued to specification. regular use of your classic car. Further nificantly reduced wattage, contributing information on this issue was contained to less heat generation over, for example, in an article entitled Ethanol and Octane Drakes’ British Motors Inc. halogen bulbs. These five-sided LEDs are Honing out cylinder sleeves or scraping Ratings published in the Fall 2011 issue of (250)763-0883 Ph., (250)861-8051 Fax, email [email protected] sold in pairs for about US$3.50 a pair (total gasket gunk off the engine block can cause Ragtop. ragtop 2286 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna, B.C., V1W 3Z7 WWW.DRAKESBRITISHMOTORS.COM 38 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2012 Next to the warehouse is a garage full of British cars. And our co-workers often commute in theirs. We put these cars to work every day. When new parts are developed, we test them. If a part is returned, we’ll bolt it on, analyze it, and work with the manufacturer to make it right. If we are not happy with a part being on our cars, we wouldn’t think of selling it to you. And, just to make certain you are satisfied, we stand behind our parts with the longest warranty in the business. Call us. We’d love to send you a free catalog.

800-667-7872 www.mossmotors.com