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 3 Anniversary Models

Down East Adventure • • Craig Hill The Parts You Need To " " ® contents Keep’em on the Road Spring 2013 24 ®

14 30 Member Pages From the Editor ...... 5 From the President ...... 7 Club Hub ...... 9/10 Event Calendar ...... 11 Owner’s Manual ...... 13 21 Features 34 TR Travels: It Isn’t My Fault ...... 14-19 Marque My Words: 40 Standard Vanguards & Triumphs 21/22 Ye Cover Story: g 50 ars o tin f S ra p Triumph Anniversaries . . . . .24-29 b it f 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 3 le r e e Historically Speaking: ! C Anniversary Triumph TR2 Reaches 60 . . . .30-32 Models Obituary: Craig Hill ...... 34/35 FREE Parts & Accessories Catalogs for: On the Cover Restoration: TR2, TR3, TR4, TR4A, TR250, The Triumph 10/20 was the 6 & 2 3s, Part 10 ...... 36-38 first production Triumph and 2013 The 72 Day Project ...... 40/41 TR6, TR7, TR8, GT6, Spitfire marks the 90th year since it first rolled off the Triumph production Maintenance: Fast Service, Simple Ordering and Quick Delivery. line. This very rare example was photographed outside the Heritage Dashpot Seal Fix ...... 43-45 www.VictoriaBritish.com 1-800-255-0088 Motor Centre, Gaydon UK. Tail Lites: Photo by Derek Graham, Down East Adventure • Standard Vanguard • Craig Hill FREE Parts & Accessories Catalogs historian for the UK TR Register. Bits and Pieces ...... 46 Also Available For: Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 3 ©2012 Long Motor Corporation, PO Box 14991, Lenexa, Kansas 66285-4991 LANT INSURANCE BROKERS from the editor (A Division of Wayfarer Insurance Brokers Limited)

SUBMISSIONS Format: MS Word files are preferred. Send via Canada’s Leader In Classic Vehicle Insurance Since 1978 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 Drive Your Triumph preferred. Graphics must be in major graphics for- mats, jpeg, tiff or Photoshop files. In Person: To the editor at the monthly meetings. Remember that list of jobs I had to do on Rosie? Mail: 2421 Poplar Crescent, Well, at the time of writing, I’m enjoying my warmth and the garage Mississauga, Ontario L5J 4H2 hasn’t really been a hospitable place. I did try to make a start a couple of E-mail: [email protected] weeks ago, on one of those warmer days they sent just to tease us. I fired her up to back her out while I moved some of my son’s junk, which had ADVERTISING been piled up around her over the winter – junk I’d asked him to clear out Contact the Club’s advertising representative for details of dates and submissions. Submit ads as of the basement, I guess he missed the part where I said, “... and take it to high resolution (min 300 ppi) PDF files, saved for the dump” – anyway, I hit the brakes and... nothing, the pedal went to the print in CMYK format, fonts embedded, by E-mail floor. So that’s another thing to add to the list. to [email protected] The advertising year is from Jan.1 to Dec. 31. A I’m delighted to say that we’ve reinstated some of your regular monthly meetings, which copy of Ragtop is sent to all paid advertisers. in recent years were preempted by other events. To explain, in a month where we had say Ancaster Flea Market or Spring Fling, we would substitute them for our monthly meeting. 2013 ADVERTISING RATES This will still happen for British Day in September, where we’re all too busy to a hold a Rear Cover ...... $500 per year separate meet, but your meeting coordinator(s) and I have agreed that we will try to have a Inside Front Cover ...... $475 Inside Back Cover ...... $450 club meeting scheduled every month from now on. To this end, we had tech sessions lined Full Page Inside ...... $305 up for April and May and are looking into some other new things for our summer meet- Half Page ...... $185 ings. We want everyone to be involved with the club and realize that not all of you can go Offering The Quarter Page ...... $115 Business Cards ...... $70 to Ancaster, Spring Fling or the Canadian Classic etc. Full colour ...... $115 extra To assist with this, please send any ideas or possible locations for our meetings to one Second colour ...... $75 extra of our meeting coordinators (Patrick or Clive), or myself. Ideally we would like to meet in Antique, Classic, Special Interest Flyer Inserts ...... $190/issue (max 4 pgs) (All rates are for 4 issues, except flyers) different areas, east, west and north of Toronto, so everyone can have an opportunity to and Modified/Street Rod [email protected] participate in their local area. We’re having a great year (mine in particular, as I’ve just found out I’m going to be a Automobile Insurance 2013 SCHEDULE granddad for the first time in November!), with great meetings, drives and events, includ- Program Issue Deadline Mailed ing our 30th British Car Day. So, once you’ve read this packed issue of Ragtop, plan to par- Spring ...... April 1 . . . . .End of April Summer/BCD . . . .July 30 . . . Mid September ticipate in as many things as you can and most importantly – drive your Triumph! Fall ...... October 11 . . . November Winter ...... December 6 . January 2014

General Enquiries [email protected] — David Fidler

Ragtop is published quarterly by the Toronto Tri- umph Club Inc. (“TTC”) and is distributed to its 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 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 © 2013 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 au- thor and TTC receive a copy of the publication in its entirety. Distribution by Pillar Direct Marketing Services. 37 Sandiford Drive, Suite 100, Stouffville, ON L4A 7X5 Tel: (905) 640-4111 • Fax: (905) 640-4450 Printed by Printwell Offset for the Toronto Triumph www.lant-ins.ca Club. Canada Post Publications # 40022175

Ragtop I Spring I 2013 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 Executives 24 Hour Fax Line: ...... 1-519-336-5936 President ...... David Tushingham 905 830. .9124 Website: ...... www.obsoleteauto.com Vice President ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340 Great Events Secretary ...... Alistair Wallace 905 627. .2941 Business Hours: ...... Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 5 PM Treasurer ...... Chris Lindsay 416 233. .7360 Director of Communications . . . David Fidler 905 829. .9340 Last year, Spring arrived early. Director at Large ...... W. ayne McGill 905 847. .5532 March temperatures were in the Director at Large ...... Scott Douglas 905 334. .4020 high teens and many members 142 Kendall Street, Point Edward, Ontario CANADA N7V 4G5 Past President ...... Johan Aaltink 705 456. .4276 took advantage of this warm Ragtop Magazine weather to get their out of Editor & Publisher ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340 storage early. I even joined sev- Assistant Editor ...... Terence McKillen 647 202. .8243 Distribution . . . .Rod . Jones - Pillar Direct 416 755. .9494 eral other TTC members for a Art Director ...... Michael Cleland 905 873. .7704 quick west end drive. This year MG & TRIUMPH Specialists Advertising Sales ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340 Spring was quite the contrast, Club Photographer ...... Larry Llewellyn 416 245. .9217 with a lingering threat of snow Browse the website Website and temperatures struggling to Web Manager ...... David Copping 905 827. .6970 reach the mid, single digits. Website Classifieds ...... David Copping 905 827. .6970 www.obsoleteauto.com for We were commenting on this at the March monthly meeting, where we enjoyed a updates on stocked parts and secure Club Coordinators talk and product demonstration by Auto Glym representative, Dave Lambert. However, Membership ...... Scott Douglas 905 332. .5602 the uncertain weather didn’t stop a great turnout and thankfully, this seems to be the access to online ordering. The parts Meeting Coordinators . . . . . Patrick Caria 416 562. .1642 C trend for 2013. you need, any time or day. Clive Huizinga 905 884. .2091 M Interclub Coordinator ...... Tony Fox Sr. 905 .632 0479. As I write this, Spring Fling, being held in beautiful Peterborough, Ontario, is only a few Ambassador at Large . . . . . W. ayne McGill 905 .847 5532. weeks away. I have to tell you how encouraged I am with the overwhelming amount of pre- Y Regalia ...... Dion Widrich 416 .464 6057. registrants for this great event, being organized this year by TTC members Alex and Sharon CM Historians ...... W. ayne McGill 905 .847 5532. Frank Manning 905 .643 2359. McLeod. It is definitely unprecedented to have a completely sold out event, almost three MY Volunteer Coordinator ...... Ron Etty 905 .547 .2419 months in advance... 72 cars and 138 people are confirmed and raring to go. BCD Sponsors ...... Frank Manning 905 .643 .2359 CY We have a full schedule of great events planned throughout the 2013 driving season, Motorsports ...... Simon Rasmussen 905 .853 .2514 CMY more monthly meetings, tech sessions and drives. But you don’t need to wait for a planned event, use our website member database and find out who lives nearby and call them to go K Marque Coordinators TR2, 3, 3A & 3B ...... Malcolm Taylor 905 880. .0079 for a drive. So, get your motor running, head out on the highway and have some fun with Alistair Wallace 905 627. .2941 your fellow TTC members! TR4, 4A, 5 & 250 ...... John Lille 416 231. .3092 Dave Sims 905 331. .1496 TR6 ...... Fred McEachern 905 727. .2987 Wayne McGill 905 847. .5532 Spitfire-GT6 ...... Don Johnson 705 721. .1231 Cheers Ron Pincoe 519 941. .0976 Stag ...... Tony Fox Sr. 905 632. .0479 — David “Tush” Tushingham Request a FREE copy of the GARAGE SALES! Terence McKillen 905 855. .2463 Chronicle. Robin Searle 705 484. .0071 That’s right. Check out our annual TR7 & 8 ...... L. arry Llewellyn 416 245. .9217 Call: 1-800-265-7437 or 519-337-3232 Spring or Fall Garage Sales and browse Ron Etty 905 547. .2419 Email: [email protected] endless deals. Event Coordinators British Car Day Chair ...... Da. ve Sims 905 331. .1496 Payment Options: 28th Canadian Classic . . . . . Terence McKillen, Colin Pillar Each issue is packed with super deals & Dave Sims Visa, Mastercard and American Express Spring Fling 2013 ...... Alex McLeod on parts and accessories along with Annual BBQ ...... Brian Clark 905 484. .9091 technical articles to help you do the job. Shipping: Canada Post and most Fall Drive ...... TBA A great resource for YOUR sports car! courier services General Mail/Membership Mail P O. . Box 39, Don Mills Ontario M3C 2R6

Ragtop Mail & E-mail: 2421 Poplar Crescent, Mississauga, ON, L5J 4H2 ALL TO PRESERVE AND DRIVE THE TRIUMPH [email protected]

Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 7 Monthly Meetings club hub February Despite the threat of After the success of past snow, almost 30 people Ladies’ Nights, one of enjoyed a great evening which was held in Dave on the 19th and the ladies Welcome New Members! “TRF Quality Will Enhance the Tushingham’s test kitch- were treated by the club Name Location Vehicle en, it was decided to and each left with a single Mike Ball Waterloo Mike Carter Pickering Spitfire IV 1972 hold another at a more red rose as a thank you Value of Your British Sports Car” Manny Cordeiro Cambridge TR250 1968 easterly location. Frankie for their support of our Gerald Dimmelow Georgina TR3A 1961 What’s So Great About TRF? Tomatto’s in Markham was the choice as hobby and patience for the times when Andre Fleury Hamilton it offered an informal atmosphere and an we disappear into the garage for hours on Ben Heller Toronto TR6 1970 TRF is committed to only a very few British sports car models, and that is eclectic selection of Mediterranean food, end! We were also delighted to see several Eddy Howard Toronto Ben Kappheim Hamilton what we do for fun and for a living. We own Triumph sports cars and MGB in a “market” buffet style format. new members and their spouses. sports cars, and we have a rule—If we wouldn’t use a part on our cars, then Bill Kloepfer Guelph Felix Leung Scarborough we won’t sell it to our customers. TRF quality is legendary, not just here in March Anna Maccani Vaughan the U.S., but around the world. People know that they can trust a part if it is Dave Lambert from UK company Auto Glym, put on a most Christopher MacDonald Toronto made by The Factory. Because we are a tiny company, we offer very entertaining and informative tech session for over 50 mem- Brian Martin Bowmanville personal service too. If you buy regularly from TRF, everyone here knows bers at Jake’s Boathouse in Brampton on the 19th. Dave, Richard Mielke Scarborough your name, and your satisfaction means everything to us. complete with a bonnet and armed with the full range Brian Muscat Barrie TR6 1974 Kyle Paton St. Catharines of Auto Glym car care products, dispelled a few myths about Michael Pearse Mississauga Spitfire 1500 1977 Join TRF Car Club the correct process for cleaning and protecting your vehi- Alison Postma Mulmur Support The Roadster Factory’s manufacturing projects, and save a lot cle. Advising that Auto Glym recommends a 3-stage process Rob Selby Pickering of money at the same time. First year’s dues are $100.00, and you receive to achieve a deep, shiny finish. Cleanse, Polish, Protect. Rui Taborda Toronto TR6 1972 Dan Theroux Wallaceburg $300.00 in gift certificates that you can use along with purchases. Second “The secret to a shiny finish isn’t in the wax, it’s all in the preparation”, Dave says. Corey Trute Newmarket year’s dues are $100.00, and you receive a $100.00 parts credit and $300.00 John Whyte Port Perry Everyone left with bottles of Auto Glym’s conditioner/ in gift certificates that you can use along with purchases. Not to mention Anthony Zielinski Oshawa discounts, monthly specials, and more. For more information, log on to the shampoo and polish. We’d like to thank Dave for a very enjoyable presentation. (A feature TRF web site, www.the-roadster-factory.com. on Auto Glym’s products was published on Pg.28 of the Summer 2012 issue of Ragtop - Ed.) New Members from Feb. 21, 2013 to July 15, 2013

Subscribe to TRF’s Weekly E-Mail Newsletter look at a very nice MG Magnette, but resist- ed the urge to go over to the dark side! Membership Renewal Reminder To learn about the services which make TRF popular, please subscribe The TTC booth was busy most of the (Thank you if you have renewed since press time) to our weekly E-Mail newsletter. Charles will keep you informed about new day, taking membership renewals and Name Member # Date parts, special offers, shipping deals, and TRF news. Something new happens signing up new members, along with do- every week, and more than fifteen-thousand customers receive the newsletter David & Barbara Anschuetz 2339 09/01/13 ing a brisk trade in back issues of Ragtop Les & Moira Campey 1531 09/01/13 with hundreds added every month. Subscribe or unsubscribe easily on our and selling regalia from previous events. Doug and Maureen Crane 2267 08/01/13 home page at www. the-roadster-factory.com. Thank you to all of the volunteers who did Mark Dineen 4967 08/22/13 Anthony Fox 1821 09/01/13 booth duty. Mark Gillies 2664 08/01/13 Summer Party 2013, August 1-3, 2013 Ken & Susan Grace 1121 07/21/13 Each year hundreds of British car enthusiasts travel to Armagh, Brit Cars David Grassby 2402 08/21/13 Pennsylvania for the Summer Party. The Roadster Factory hosts this event as Another tech session, this time at the David Hughes 2919 08/05/13 a thank you to its loyal customers. A wide variety of events are planned this Woodstock workshop of famed British Ross Jex 5149 07/29/13 Steve Kennedy 2917 08/24/13 car expert, Philip Allen of BritCars. Philip year including a participant’s choice car show to be held on Saturday evening. Edward & Lynn Knight 1728 08/17/13 We are still in the planning stages, and information on Summer Party 2013 staged an excellent presentation, com- John Mazzetti 2890 07/20/13 will be posted as soon as possible on our web site, www.the-roadster- plete with PA system and a 3D overhead Tom McKay 1380 09/01/13 factory.com. Please check frequently to see updated information. April projector. The topic was carburetors. His Lyal Moffatt 2835 07/24/13 Charles & Bertha Parish 1291 07/29/13 Flea Market exceptional knowledge, easy going style Peter Pigeon 5160 08/29/13 and humour was enjoyed by the more The Ancaster British car flea market was Kieren Smyth 2734 09/01/13 blessed with dry weather and reasonable than 50 TTC members who made the drive Archie Thomas 1069 09/01/13 temperatures for the first time since moving down to Woodstock on Saturday, April 21. Helmuth & Brigitte Vorkoetter 2265 08/01/13 The Roadster Factory to the Merritt showgrounds. A large crowd Philip’s wife, Sandra-Jean kept everyone Walter Weddepohl 4971 09/07/13 Dion Widrich 3215 08/30/13 P.O. Box 332, Armagh, Pennsylvania, 15920, U.S.A. enjoyed viewing a great selection of cars well fed and refreshed during the session Telephone: (800) 234-1104 • Fax: (814) 446-6729 in the parking lot car show, many of which and a 50/50 draw was held, with proceeds Please go to www.TorontoTriumph.com and Internet: www.the-roadster-factory.com were for sale. This author took a very close donated to a local child abuse centre. renew today! Valid as of July 15th 2013

Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 9 club hub events

British Car ¼ page ad 2012 Events Calendar came away with an understanding of how Club Meeting - Location and style of day of September. Since its inaugural Editor's choice: horizontal or vertical layout. to degree the camshaft without having to For Full Event List & More Details Go To meeting TBD event in 1984, it has grown in leaps and know the manufacturer’s specifications. As www.TorontoTriumph.com Tuesday, August 20 (Provisional)-Please check bounds and now draws over 1000 British Joe confirmed, a few degrees ‘out’ won’t website cars and 8,000 spectators. The event is the 7.5”x2.4375” 19.06cm x 6.27cm make much of a difference in a TR6 fitted largest, one-day, all-British car event in with a standard camshaft. JULY 2013 North America. For more information visit Drive Event/Car Show - Brits in the Park, www.BritishCarDay.com (fast lane registra- June Lindsay tion now available on-line) The TTC annual summer BBQ was held awesome ice-cream treats for dessert! Sunday, July 21, 9:00am www.transportbooksagain this year at Oakville’s Coronation.com Park The weather was great, although it got The Victoria British Car Club presents their OCTOBER 2013 a little chilly on the drive home. The collec- on the 18th, with a turnout16 Elrose of about Avenue35-40 annual British classic event in downtown Event - VTR Nationals & Triumphfest, tion of cars looked great and included a Transport Books cars and even more members.Toronto, As Ontariousual, Lindsay. Registration/entry fee $10.00. San Rafael, CA, USA the food was cooked by Jack Willekes and TR2, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR250, TR6, TR7, TR8, www.victoriabritishcarclub.ca Cars, bikes, boats and planes… M9M 2H6 Canada Wednesday, October 2 Brian Clark, with preparation and accoutre- a Herald and a brace of Stags. The Triumph Travelers Sports Car Club is trucks, ,May tanks and trains. (416)744-7675 ments by their wives and other club mem- Thanks to everyone involved and to those AUGUST 2013 hosting a combined Triumphest and Vintage J.D. Auto in Rexdale was the venue on the (800)665-2665 bers. President Dave Tushingham supplied who drove a fair few miles to be there. Drive Event/Car Show - Brits on the Lake, Triumph Register National Convention, Octo- 21st, for another tech session. 30 members Canada's largest selection of motoring books & motorsport videos Port Perry SEPTEMBER 2013 ber 2-6, 2013. www.triumphtravelers.org enjoyed a presentation by Joe Dukova on British Car books a specialty: historical, pictorial & technical. Saturday/Sunday, August 10/11, 9am (Dates to Club Event - British Car Day, 30th Party, “Degreeing a cam and setting vlave timing.” Call for Volunteers be confirmed) Bronte Park, Oakville NOVEMBER 2013 Mon-Sat 10am-5pmAccording to Joe, when - free it comes parking to cam Our – 30th free British mailing Car Day is just list around the corner and our new Volunteer Coordinator, Ron Growing every year, this popular event will Sunday, September 15, Gates open for show Club Meeting - Annual General Meeting, degreeing, “It is all in the Overlap!” The Etty, is asking for anyone who would like to help with setup on the Saturday or during the once again grace the main street in Port cars 8:00am TBD complexity of the task may have been too show itself on Sunday (or both days), to get in touch with him as soon as possible. Ron can Perry. Check www.britsonthelake.com for British Car Day is hosted annually by the Tuesday, November 19th much for some, but at least a few members be reached via his e-mail: [email protected] or please call him on 905-547-2419. 3.75”x 4.9375” 3 ¾ x 4 15/16 9.53cm x 12.55cm confirmation of dates and schedule etc. Toronto Triumph Club, on the third Sun-

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10 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 11 owner’s manual Getting to know our members COLIN PILLAR

Name/Owner: Colin Pillar Occupation: V.P. Development and Construction of a Mississauga high rise condo developer Born: July 17, 1949, Salisbury, Rhodesia Location: Mississauga, Ontario OUR PARTS FINDER Triumph Owned: 1973 TR6, Carmine Red Meet Davin, Member Since: April 2009 Likes: Tinkering with cars, cottaging, canoeing and open water “SEARCHING FOR HARD-TO-FIND PARTS swimming Films: Matrix, Last of the Mohicans IS A LOT LIKE PEELING AN ONION. YOU GO Music: Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris Favourite Places: French River, Christian Island ONE LAYER AT A TIME AND TRY NOT TO CRY.” Favourite Daydream: Open roads, time and a functioning clutch

Background: I was born in Africa to British parents, who de- tinued, with real jobs, building our own homes and raising our two cided to leave Rhodesia, due to political unrest. We arrived in Cana- children; Robyn, a Graphic Designer and Carson, who is presently da just in time for me to begin public school where I was subjected attending law school at Western. to ridicule from my classmates for wearing short pants. There remained, however, an itch for something other than our My teen years saw me spend far too much time tinkering with safe and reliable Suburban and Volvo. You can imagine my surprise cars and motor cycles. My first car was a brand new 1969 Cooper S, when Chris suggested that we purchase a TR6 from a retiring To- (the last year imported to Canada), which, I drove as fast and furious ronto Triumph Club member. Our 6 has proven to be an ideal, 60th as any car you may have seen in a movie. birthday gift that has led to new friendships and a great deal of My first ragtop was a 1969 MGB that my wife Chris and I used as a enjoyment, both on and off the road. primary vehicle, until the unibody structure collapsed one summer, It would seem my mispent youth was not totally lost. I still enjoy while tearing around Muskoka. spending time pulling cars apart and (mostly) putting them back Sometimes I wonder just how lucky we were to survive those together, with my friends Sean and Terence. ragtop years and even manage to graduate from university. Our lives con-

When your claim requires finding some automotive needle in a haystack, Davin’s your man. He has one job here at Hagerty: when a client needs a replacement part, he finds it. And though that sometimes involves hours of searching and frustration – maybe even a few tears – he wouldn’t trade his job for anything in the world. It’s that kind of passion that makes him perfect for Hagerty, and makes Hagerty perfect for you. CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE

800-92877-922-97012-4050 | HAGERTY.COM | HAGERTY.CA | LOCAL AGENT Hagerty. We may sell insurance but we live classics.

12 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 13 TR travels

IT ISN’T MY FAULTby Wayne McGill t’s my brother-in-law’s fault. No. Re- necessary paperwork and had everything at the front desk and heard that the ferry Ially! You see, Dan has been retired for a few in order. All that was needed in Ontario back to Nova Scotia had been cancelled. years from , even though was a fitness inspection which I had done “Poor bastards” I thought and Debbie and he is younger than me. He likes to spend at a local Canadian Tire store and the trailer I left to sight see and explore the 10th his winters in Florida and has two Harley was duly registered in Ontario. province to join confederation. First stop Davidson motorcycles. He purchased a First trips included transporting both was the beautifully rebuilt Rose Blanche new custom built enclosed trailer from a my Herald and TR6 to the Canadian Inter- granite light house. Originally constructed company called R&R Trailers in Three Riv- national Auto Show during a raging snow by Scottish stonemasons more than a cen- ers, Michigan, to take his bikes to Florida storm in February last year and taking the tury ago, it has been reconstructed as a and I decided to accompany him on the Herald to Brits In The Park in Lindsay. historical site on the rugged high ground road trip to pick it up. And that is where I had heard of a British car show in surrounding a natural sheltered harbour. the problem began. While looking around Prince Edward Island from a couple of TTC We discovered that there are not a lot of the showroom and plant at R&R, I ordered members and wanted to take the Herald to roads in the province. Most roads go from my own custom built car hauler. On the trip PEI. It had a brand new 1296cc engine, but point A to point B and there are few circu- home we agreed that I would purchase his it still isn’t a great highway cruiser. Plans lar routes or alternative roads. We took the almost new GMC pickup with very low were made. I looked on the web and found only road back to Port Aux Basques. Next mileage and he would order a new Ava- contact information for the show which on the agenda was the Viking village near lanche using a GM credit he had been was set for August 25th in North Rustico, L’Anse aux Meadows. This is a 400km drive given when he retired. And so that is how I PEI. I spoke to the organizers and got an up the rugged western coast with few vil- had to go home to explain to my long suf- application, which was duly completed lages and even less traffic, even in the peak fering wife Debbie that I had purchased and the money sent. A motel was arranged of the tourist season. I would drive for 20- both a truck and a trailer that I planned to nearby to the show site. Now, Brits On The owner, who was then in Halifax, elicited 30 minutes at a time and never see an- use when we retired at the end of May this Lake was set for August 12th, so I had 13 the Herald and trailer in North Sydney. The the request to put payment in cash in an other vehicle. Not ahead, not behind and year. I took delivery at the factory in Janu- days between shows. Debbie and I had ferry was booked to Port Aux Basques and envelope and leave it at the “office”. Said of- not oncoming. Well worth the drive and we ary and was very pleasantly surprised with never been to Newfoundland, except to returning from Argentia. I asked about se- fice was a locked building not much bigger stopped in Stephenville to visit a cousin of the ease of importing the trailer into Cana- refuel on Trans-Atlantic flights in Gander. cure parking for the trailer and Herald and than a telephone booth. We also discov- Debbie’s who in addition to her duties as da. The manufacturer was familiar with the We decided to drive to Newfoundland and was given the name of a business right ered that the concept of time has a differ- a minister, runs a shelter called Aunt Jean’s next door to the ferry terminal. I called the ent meaning. Perhaps it is the closeness to Place in memory of Debbie’s late step- owner and was told that secure parking large bodies of water, but if you are familiar mother. L’Anse Aux Meadows was the only would be $10 for the first day and $5 each with the phrase “island time” you will un- day thereafter. This was a great rate when derstand. The five o’clock ferry might leave compared to $30 and more for a couple of at six o’clock, or seven o’clock or tomorrow, hours in Toronto. Upon my , I discov- or not at all. We were several hours late in then double back to PEI for the car show. ered that secure in Nova Scotia is not the leaving, but I had called and made a mo- Some thought was given to leaving the same as in Ontario. Instead of a paved lot tel reservation in Port Aux Basque several truck and trailer in North Sydney, Nova with 8 foot fence, locked gates, cameras weeks earlier, so I had no worries. A pleas- Scotia and just taking the Herald to New- and an attendant, I found a grassy field on ant, but boring evening trip saw us arrive foundland, but the new engine only had a a steep hill surrounded by an 18 inch tall about 11:00pm in Newfoundland and our little over 100 miles on it and in the end, single rail fence with no gates, no cam- motel was close by. In the morning, I saw we decided to take the truck and leave era and no attendant. In fact, a call to the a large number of people milling about

14 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 15 week. Neither would the roof be put up on ity in the 1980’s and later moved to Hali- the Herald. The weather was spectacular, fax. He has also recently retired and is en- the people enjoyable and the scenery beau- joying his MG. One of the Lions showed tiful. It was our first trip back to PEI since it up with his Magenta TR-7 powered by a used to be an island. That is to say, since GM 4.3 litre V/6 engine. This little scream- before the Confederation Bridge was built. er puts out more than 200 horsepower We had rented a cottage in Cavendish when and the owner has plans for more. A num- the children were small and saw the bridge ber of east coast car clubs were present as under construction, but not open for traffic. well as folks from a number of east coast This time it was just the two of us, in our little states in the U.S. British car and everything was perfect. We The organizers were pleased with the called and made a reservation on the first put more than 400 absolutely trouble free final number of 91 entries and just like night in Deer River and I set the destination miles on the Herald and got a lot of admir- our TTC British Car day, the weather gods in my GPS. I’ve never before heard the nice ing looks and attention. Each day we would and greet evening, hosted by the Cumbria looked upon us favourably. The scenery, lady who lives in my GPS say “Take ramp, head off in a different direction with no par- Lions Club in preparation for the following sunshine, great cars and a wonderful deck place we saw moose and fortunately they looking for a motel room. We did get to see on right, in 624 kilometers”. Debbie and I ticular place to go. Sunshine, gentle breez- day show. The bar was open and a selection and covered patio offered a day that would were in a meadow about a ½ mile away the charming village of Dildo. We arrived in looked at one another and laughed. es, outdoor dining and top down motoring. of treats was laid out. A string quartet played be hard to beat. from where we were standing. I also saw a St. Johns where we planned to spend most Arriving back in Nova Scotia, we found We happened to be in Summerside one day on stage and a surprise visit was made by After the show we sat down inside for couple of PBY Canso water bombers that of a week travelling to the many seaport vil- all was well with the trailer and Herald in when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels were prac- “Her Majesty” who welcomed all her loyal a delicious lobster dinner and discussions were formerly used by the Newfoundland lages along that stretch of coast. Then Deb- our “secure” parking and we hooked up and ticing for an upcoming airshow. We visited subjects and little British car fans. We found about the day’s events, travels, and British forestry service to combat forest fires. They bie’s cell phone rang. We have Rogers ser- headed for PEI. I was going to take Confed- an open air market in Charlottetown. We ex- out the actual event was a renewal of a Brit- cars. Debbie and I enjoyed ourselves so were on display at different sites and are vice and Rogers only works in Cornerbrook eration Bridge across, but the Woods Island plored narrow roads to tiny seaside villages. ish car show that had fallen by the wayside much and the hosts were so pleasant that unfortunately now timed out and so will and St. Johns. The message we received ferry was closer to our route and destina- On Friday, August 24th we went to a meet and not been run for three years. Tomorrow we decided to extend our stay and come never return to the air. Still great to see was that our ferry from Argentia which tion and might save several hours and a lot was to be the re-birth and the first time it the following evening for a local ceilidh. one up close. We returned down the same is on the east side of the island had been of gasoline. I’ve never worked out the miles would be hosted by the Lions club. This is an evening of Gaelic music, stories road to the town of Deer Lake to pick up cancelled. Remember my comment about per gallon of the truck with a loaded trailer, Saturday morning dawned sunny and and jokes and fun. If you are ever in PEI, put the Trans-Canada highway to St. Johns on “poor bastards?” We could wait for a later but some mental arithmetic one day while clear. After a quick wash of the Herald out- this down as a must do! the eastern side of the island. It is about ferry that would make us late for the British driving along yielded about $25 per hour. side our motel room and visits by many After a week on the island, we decided 900km from Port Aux Basques and High- car show in PEI, or we could drive back to We arrived at the ferry terminal and dis- of the couples who were on bus tours of to head for home via the east coast of the way 1 is the only road across the province. get a ferry in Port Aux Basques. Remember covered that A) there was no fee to cross to PEI which overnighted at the same motel, United States. Debbie loves to shop. I dis- We did take a side trip to the town of Come my comment about there being only one PEI, only to return and B) the ferry was due we were off to the 9:00am opening of the covered that the trailer is too big. Payback By Chance where a late uncle of mine was road across the island? We cut short our to arrive in 20 minutes. Decision was made. show. The first couple we met parked their for buying it in the first place I guess. We born and we took one of the few circle visit on the eastern side and headed back We arrived about dinner time at our des- white MGBGT right beside the Herald and both had a good time and the weather con- routes north of the Trans-Canada highway across the Trans-Canada. Mindful now of tination motel and unloaded the Herald. introduces themselves. The owner is Terry tinued to be great. We travelled through one evening where we spent 6½ hours the lack of adequate accommodation We The truck would not be started again for a Williams who was a CHUM radio personal- Maine, Massachusetts and New York. While

16 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 17 driving along Interstate 95 just west of Al- bany New York I remembered that I had been promising myself a visit to Cole Palin’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome for about thirty years. but I’d never quite made it. Entering the site in my GPS showed that it was only a couple of hours out of my way, so plans were quickly changed. Some beautiful sports car roads were discovered and some that were really too narrow for a truck and trailer measuring 48 feet long. The actual museum and aerodrome were little bit of a disappointment. Cole Palin, the founder, passed away about 15 years ago and the museum is showing the decay and neglect of the missing driving force with many of the exhibited aircraft showing flat tires, torn fabric and faded paint. Still there are a number of interesting and unique artifacts and a number of antique cars as well. There We headed west again and had some got home late in the evening. Over 8000 was a sign indicating that flights would be difficulty in locating a motel as it was the kilometers on the truck and 400 plus miles available in the late afternoon, but no one Friday night before Labour Day weekend on the Herald. Now we are planning a trip ever showed up at the flight line while I and there were a number of local fairs as south this winter. Maybe we will try taking was there. Missed my chance for a flight in well as the state fair on that weekend. We both the Herald and our Smart cabriolet. an open cockpit biplane. decided to finish the trip on Saturday and It has a/c. ragtop

18 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 19 RIMMER AD SPITFIRE USA_Layout 1 04/10/2012 15:29 Page 1

       TR2-TR3/3A TR4/4A-TR5 TR250 marque my words



  STANDARD Vanguards & TRIUMPHS by Kem Jones

TR2-8 Spitfire Herald

Stag GT6 Vitesse

Dolomite 2000/2500 Free Catalogues All the parts and accessories ALLTHEPARTSYOUNEED you will ever need TRIUMPH 948, 1200, 12/50 & 13/60 Visit our website PARTS & ACCESSORIES CATALOGUE

for prices and availability: riumphs and Standard Vanguards stayed with our family for many years pass- not sold there. While we were waiting for go back with me to my youth. The first one ing through my brother and a good friend the delivery of this car we had a 1950 Phase T www.rimmerbros.co.uk Toll-Free Ordering being a 1957 TR3A bought by my father. until the tin worms devoured it and it went 1 Vanguard as a loaner. I really liked the RIMBROS It was one of the first 3As sold in Canada EDITION 2.1 shape of this car as it remind me of a scaled 1-855- SOURCE CODE HCM7 to the happy rusting ground. tel: 01144 522 568000 1-855-7462767 (no outside trunk or door handles). It was The second car was a 1959 Standard down 1939 or 40s Ford.

fax: 01144 522 567600 8.30am - 5.30pm UK Office Hours Mon - Fri purchased from Milt Hurd Motors in Ot- Vanguard with . This was our I have always carried the desire to own Parts service for Land , MG Rover and Jaguar also available tawa. My father and I went to pick it up in family transportation and the car on which one of these cars. My first find was in 1994 email: [email protected] Montreal right from the loading dock. It I learnt to drive. It was always interesting when I found a 1950 Vanguard in ‘Old LAND was white with a blue factory hardtop .It to take this car to the States as they were Autos.’ It had been modified by having a Triumph House, Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath, ROVER

Lincoln, LN4 2NA. England from 1998 to 2011 20 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 21

London Trading Post ULTIMATE Car Care TRANSPORTATION Classic British Countrywear PRODUCTS www.londontradingpost.ca Langka - Professional Chevrolet 6 and 2-speed auto shoved into it. It looked OK, Paint Chip Repair Spencefield House SY LANGER It was not a professional job. I went to but needed a full 189 County Rd 49 work cleaning it up then strip- restoration, but Bobcaygeon, ON K0M 1A0 23 Markwood Lane Manufacturer Approved ping it down and installing they are rare, so Thornhill, Ontario L4J 7A6 Convertible Care Tel/Fax: (705) 738-1956 a complete suspension from a deal was made Phone: 416-580-7327 Open most weekends a Mustang II. Lots of money and the car came Web: www.wheelwax.ca Sat. 10am-3pm Sun. 11am-3pm or by appointment Email: [email protected] DIY Power Bleeder for spent, then I got tied up with home the following Brakes/Clutches other projects (I still have the car Spring. I got it run- and it could be for sale if anyone ning and I was able to give is interested?). Sheila a ride up and down the By 2008, I decided that I would street. It was still running on the origi- not have enough life time to finish nal factory , so we were not this car, so I advertised in the ‘Oily Rag,’ going to take it too far. magazine of the British Saloon Car Club of Can- It then got stripped down for restoration. ada, looking for one. Daryl McDonald contacted me that The worst parts were the inner and outer rock- he had one with just 16,000 original miles and was just running. er panels which had completely rotted. Being I went to take a look at it with my wife Sheila, who is also a this deep into the bodywork I went ahead and re- classic car fan. (She and her late husband had old cars since the painted the car in the original black. The bumpers and seats were Phone: 416-822-0096 or 905-616-0421 1970s. She currently owns a 1929 Plymouth and a 1932 also redone. The current project is putting in an overdrive trans- Toll Free: 1-866-532-3630 Plymouth roadster. She has run a 4-cylinder Plymouth registry for mission. Bob De Shane of ‘Little Britain Motors’ is in charge of this Email: [email protected] the last 25 years.) project and he hopes to have it completed by the time you are Web: http://www.a-professional-appraisal.ca reading this. The third Vanguard to enter my life was another Phase1. This being an 18,000 mile car that had been sitting outside for years and thus had deteriorated a lot. However it is a great parts source. This year Sheila’s house in King City got sold for dozer bait and we TOYOTA TO TRIUMPH moved near to Tottenham. I spent most of the summer hauling the 2576 Dunwin Drive 28-32 Plymouth car parts from her late husband’s 30’ by 60’ shop The Soda Pro Unit # 5 5–Speed (John Nawrocki). John was into stock car racing at the old CNE Mississauga, ON L5L 5P6 track. His favourite was 28 to 32 Plymouths. He was also a great en- Conversions gine builder. The last thing I took from the house was the furnace. Tom Humphries Sheila didn’t want the kitchen sink. Tel: 905.593.0684 TR-2 through TR-6 Our new house has all the space for Sheila’s antiques and collect- Fax: 905.593.0686 Cell: 416.807.3037 ables. I have inside parking for 11 cars (heaven for both of us!) Environmentally sensible cleaning and Email: [email protected] During this time I got the notion that I would like a small run- coating removal by abrasive blasting www.sodapro.com around car. Looking on Kijiji I found a 1966 con- vertible. We went to see the car and it appeared not in bad shape, so I bought it. With all the moving to be done I didn’t have time to work on it. So I took it to Bob at Little Britain Motors. He found several problems, but managed to get them all solved for the fall. I picked it up and got it ready to trailer to Texas for the winter. As I started to study the Herald I realized how close it was to a Spitfire. I thought with a bit of work I could put a bit of Spit into Herald’s eye. I am looking at a 1500 motor, a Ford T9 5-speed trans- mission and other mods. Now in Texas, I am getting it ready to paint Herman den Akker and clean up the body. Hopefully I can get it all put back together P.O. Box 6812, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222-6812 and have it on the road soon. Phone: (661) 242-1253 • E-mail: [email protected] I think it will take another two years to have the Vanguard on the www.hvdaconversions.com road. ragtop

22 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 23 cover story

1923 Triumph coachwork by the Regent Carriage Com- soon added, and in 1924, a 4 seat Wey- introduced as a last gasp version of the by Terence McKillen 10/20 pany of London. mann saloon was added. The Weymann small six-cylinder Scorpion. Triumph, like The name 10/20 was based on the Royal system used a patent-jointed wood frame other manufacturers, had concluded there Automobile Club’s vehicle taxation class of covered in fabric developed from the air- was no point in building larger and larger A brief look at some of the Triumph and 10 horsepower and the actual output craft industry which featured a single door four cylinder engines. It would be better to Standard models that celebrate significant of 20 brake horsepower. The design on the driver’s side and two doors on the have a smaller six-cylinder instead. Unlike was principally by Arthur Alder- other side. It had a 102-inch (2,591 mm) in the US, British car manufacturers were anniversaries during 2013. son assisted by Alan Lea and which made it the largest of restrained from building large engines Arthur Sykes of the Lea-Francis the “light cars” of its era by some 20 inches by government mandated taxation levels everal Triumph models are cel- them under the Triumph name. He was company who had been build- (508 mm). It was the first British production based on piston area rather than volume Sebrating distinctive anniversaries in 2013. joined within a year by M. J. Shulte and ing cars in since 1903. car to be fitted with hydraulic brakes – at or capacity. This limitation encouraged By far the most significant is the 90th an- the two men decided to make bicycles as Triumph paid them a royalty on first only on the rear wheels. The successor the development of long stroke engines niversary of the introduction of the first Tri- well as sell them. So in 1888, The Triumph every car made. It was powered model, 13/35 had hydraulic brakes on all through the end of the Second World War umph motor car. Triumph built its first car, Cycle Company was formed, located in by a 1,393 cc, 4 cylinder side valve four wheels – manufactured by Lockheed when the basis of car road tax was amend- the 10/20, in the Spring of 1923 and went Much Park Street, Coventry, which in itself engine designed by Sir Harry Ri- and of the external contracting type. Ap- ed. Thus, a six cylinder might provide an on to build cars for a further 61 years is another milestone to celebrate this cardo and fitted with a single up- proximately 2,500 of the 10/20 and the excellent power/weight ratio for decent despite almost going out of busi- year at 125 years. draught Zenith carburettor. The en- parallel 13/35 models were made between performance at only a modest premium ness on a number of occasions The pedal cycle market was gine produced 23.5 brake horsepower 1923 and 1926. The price at £430-460 was in road tax and a six would provide better until the marque’s final and profitable but mechanical The Triumph 10/20 – 90 Years (17.5 kW) at 3,000 rpm giving the car a top expensive when compared to a contempo- torque and minimise gear shifting. permanent demise in 1984, propulsion was becoming Although the name ‘Triumph Motor Com- speed of 52 mph (84 km/h) and economy rary Morris Cowley 12hp at £150. The Pre- although the brand is still a reality and the concept pany’ wasn’t adopted until 1930, with of 40 miles per gallon (7.1 L/100 1940 Triumph Motor Club in the UK records TR2 – 60 YEARS owned today by BMW. fascinated Shulte who im- the end of the First World War, Triumph km; 33 mpg-US). The four speed gearbox that only one model of the 10/20 is known Originally contemplated as a Standard In 1923, King George V ported a German motor cycle. started experimenting with light cars and was mounted centrally and coupled to the to survive today. model, the TR2 is celebrating 60 years was on the throne and the The company also experi- in the spring of 1923 unveiled the 10/20 engine by a short drive shaft. Lucas light- Other pre-WW II Triumphs celebrating in 2013. The TR designation stands for British Prime Minister was An- mented with engines made by – and the famous globe badge appeared ing was fitted. a notable anniversary this year include the ‘’ and its success, espe- drew Bonar Law for the first half of the Beeston Cycle Company. Larger for the first time on the car’s radiator. The Triumph did not establish any new de- Triumph Super 8, the Gloria Ten, and Tri- cially in the United States, contributed to the year, followed by Stanley Baldwin after premises were found in Priory Street, Coven- 10/20 was available in convertible form ei- sign trends with its first car – most cars of umph 12/6, all three introduced in 1933. the survival of Triumph as the dominant the General Election. The year saw the first try and in 1901, the first Triumph ther as a two or the period looked very similar. The differ- The Super 8 came at the end of a series of marque within the Standard Motor Com- outside broadcast by the British Broadcast- “machine” – basically a pedal four-seater ence came in the details as all Triumphs cars that started out in 1927 as the Super 7 pany. The TR2 was the first in a long line ing Corporation (BBC), while in Canada cycle with a Minerva 2½ hp with were finished to the same high-quality and competed with the successful Austin of roadsters produced by Standard-Tri- the world’s first complete play-by-play ra- engine – was produced. By standard as its motorcycles and were aimed 7 and it was Triumph’s first car to be made umph and later between dio broadcast of a professional ice hockey 1906, production was six at an up-market consumer who would be in large numbers. The Gloria was one of 1953 and 1982. game was made by Pete Parker in Regina. machines a week. Three interested in a car a notch above a Morris the first Triumphs to be equipped with a In October 1952, the Triumph 20TS Frederick Banting received the Nobel Prize years later the com- or Austin. The 10/20 was well received by synchromesh gearbox while the 12/6 was prototype was revealed at the London for the discovery of insulin and in May, the pany was manufactur- the motoring press of the day. Motor Show. Extensive development over Irish Civil War came to an end. ing 3,000 motor cycles The 10/20 came with a 2 seat, the next six months, led to the introduc- Of course, the origins of the Triumph a year and gained a steel panelled, open touring tion of the Triumph TR2 in March 1953 at Company go back 128 years, to 1885, world-wide reputation. body with provision for a third the Geneva Motor Show. The prototype when Siegfried Bettmann opened a small During the First World War, passenger in a dickey seat. A was built using components from the office in London to import bicycles and Triumph machines were cho- Sports model with aluminium existing parts baskets at Standard- sewing machines from Europe, selling sen as transport for dispatch riders. 1933 Triumph Gloria body panels and long wings was Triumph TR2 had a development budget of just £16,000

TRIUMPH24 www.TorontoTriumph.com ANNIVERSARIESRagtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 25 To keep prices low early Standard Eights were fitted with sliding window glass and the boot was accessed from inside the car

Triumph. The Standard Vanguard bodyshell and running gear and 2.0L engine was fitted to the would outlast the Eight by con- Pssst! chassis of the pre-war Flying tinuing in production until 1961. Standard. The Triumph May- Want Some Great Advice? flower saloon provided the MK 1 coil-spring-and-A-arm front – 50 YEARS suspension, and the Vanguard In the late 1950s, Standard-Tri- provided the transmission, umph needed a replacement for changed from a 3-speed to the Standard Vanguard. Chief Engineer, a 4-speed, and modified to take , laid down specifications a Laycock de Normanville electric for a new vehicle of highly advanced overdrive. Only one example of this car specification. Codenamed ‘Zebu’, the new was ever made by Triumph. ple ladder-type chassis; a longer body; and car would not be a straightforward large The body tooling budget is reported to a bigger boot (trunk). It was an immediate family car as was the Vanguard but rather have been a measly £16,000 pounds, giv- success with American buyers and started a mid-size saloon which would combine ing designer Walter Belgrove, little room a 30 year long North American love affair luxurious accommodation with relatively for imagination. The body was designed with Triumph Roadsters. high standards of performance and road to be built economically, with no pan- holding. In concept it was similar to Jag- els requiring double-action presswork. – 60 YEARS uar’s Mark 1 “small” saloon (the Jaguar Belgrove avoided expensive compound The Standard Eight saloon was produced 2.4-litre) and the project can be consid- curves by splitting the front fenders along by the , in vari- ered to be one of the true pioneers of the the centre line and filling the seams with ous guises, over a 21 year period from modern-day ‘executive’ car. beading. The only compound body press- 1938 to 1959. Celebrating 60 years since The Zebu project had to be put on ings were the . The rear of the its introduction, the little 4-door was the hold until after the Leyland merger due to car was short and curved and had the first real post-WW II Standard of its class. lack of development funding and, in the spare tyre bolted to it. The targeted sell- In 1959 the car was dropped and replaced You could search big catalogues for the best price ing price was to be £500 before sales tax. by the Triumph Herald with the Standard The TR2 was designed to challenge marque being phased out. 136,317 cars You could buy parts from various suppliers MG’s (MG TD and TF Midgets) dominance were built between 1953 and 1959. The in the sports car market in North America. 1953 Standard Eight had unit construc- You could pay huge shipping and crazy broker fees It was also built because Standard Motor tion and an overhead-valve engine. Only Company had failed in a bid to acquire saloon models were made. Michelotti’s sketched proposal for the Triumph 2000. the and the ex- The new engine of 803 cc produced Though somewhat truncated compared to the eventual You could be returning the parts design, most of the key features are present isting Triumph Roadster (1800 and 2000) slightly less power than the outgoing You could... was out dated and under-powered. Sir larger side valve unit with 26 bhp at 4500 spring of 1961, work commenced on the John Black wanted a more modern but rpm but this was increased to 30 bhp at final design under the project name ‘Barb’, 1565 Hwy 5 West, RR#1 affordable sports car. 5000 rpm in 1957. The 4-speed gearbox, preserving the basic parameters and me- ...but why would you? The TR2 production model used a with synchromesh on the top three ra- chanical layout of the ‘Zebu’ prototype Troy, Ontario, L0R 2B0 twin SU carburettor version of the 1991 tios, was available with optional overdrive but adopting a monocoque construction. We are your local source for quality parts and only stock cc four-cylinder Standard Vanguard en- from March 1957. Girling hydraulic drum Overall mechanical and product specifi- Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 the best. When you consider the benefits of friendly local gine tuned to increase its output to 90 brakes were fitted. cations were determined by Webster but Local: 905-627-9995 bhp (67 kW). The body was mounted on To keep prices at a reasonable level, the the styling was by , 24hr Fax: 416-410-6479 service, no quibble exchanges, next day delivery or same a separate chassis with coil-sprung inde- car at launch was very basic with sliding using a fresh and contemporary scheme E-mail: [email protected] day pick-up, plus great advice and customer service, pendent suspension at the front and a windows, single windscreen wiper and first suggested for a rebodied Herald but British Auto Sport is hard to beat. live axle at the rear. Either wire no external boot (trunk) lid. Access to the quickly adapted to the larger car. Anoth- or disc wheels could be supplied. The boot was by folding down the rear seat er significant decision was that the new standard transmission was a four-speed which had the backrest divided in two. car should be attributed to the Triumph Try us for your next project! manual unit but overdrive was available The 1954 Deluxe got wind up windows marque rather than Standard, allowing on top gear as an option. Lockheed drum and the Gold Star model of 1957 had an the Standard name to disappear from the brakes were fitted all round. opening boot lid. From mid-1955, all the British market after 60 years. The TR2 emerged with considerably Eights finally got wind up windows. The 2000’s styling was distinctive, British Auto Sport better looks than the prototype with a sim- The of 1954 shared the with a long nose and short tail flanking Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 27 JENSENMERCEDES TRIUMPH AUSTIN-HEALEYAUSTIN ALVISJAGUAR ASTON BMW MARTIN DAIMLERBENTLEY ROLLS-ROYCE MG RALEIGH SUNBEAM LOTUS VAUXHALL CORD TVR Mk I Triumph 2000 which would also be used in the TR7. These BRISTOL PORSCHE ANGUS-SANDERSON ALLARD MORGAN cars were aimed at the then-new compact LANDROVER WOLSELEYLNER RELIANT performance-luxury sector, vying for sales against cars such as the BMW 2002 and AUDI ARMSTRONG-SIDDELEY LANCHESTER STRAKER-SQUIRE Ford Cortina GXL and was offered with a TROJAN INVICTA MORRIS high level of standard equipment, includ- a low-waisted passen- ing twin headlamps, a clock, full instru- 905-953-0052 www.lnerautomotive.ca ger compartment. Although mentation, luxury seats and carpets. the essentials of the original um-sized but significantly larger-engined In June 1973, Triumph unveiled the Dolo- Michelotti design were carried American cars offering much greater per- mite Sprint to conclusively attack the BMW through into production, Triumph’s own formance at a lower price. challenge. A team of engineers led by Spen design staff had significant input in the King developed a 16-valve cylinder head final production car. The overall impres- DOLOMITE SPRINT – 40 YEARS with all of the valves being actuated using sion given by the bodystyle was one of Introduced in 1973, a year after the intro- a single camshaft rather than the more con- modernity combined with elegance, and duction of the 1.8L Dolomite saloon, the ventional DOHC arrangement. The capacity the car’s appearance would serve it well Dolomite Sprint was the final addition to was also increased to 1,998 cc (122 cu in) over its fourteen year production run from Triumph’s complex range of small cars and combined with bigger carburettors to 1963 to 1977. It was Triumph’s largest car (codenamed “Project Ajax”), which had increase power ouput to 127 bhp (95 kW). model and was designed to compete with started in 1965 with the introduction of As a result of this new engine, the Dolomite the new Rover P6 (Rover 2000) released by the as a replacement for the Sprint has a claim to be the world’s first truly around the same time. rear-wheel drive Triumph Herald. mass-produced multi-valved car and the A 2.0 litre six-cylinder engine, first seen The variant was de- design of the cylinder head won a British in the Standard Vanguard at the end of signed as the successor for the upmarket Design Council award in 1974. Due to the 1960, was used. With the increasing avail- variants of the front-wheel drive designs, increase in power, the rest of the driveline ability of higher octane fuels, Triumph in- and also as a replacement for the 6-cyl- was upgraded to be able to withstand the creased the compression ratio from 8:1 to inder . The Dolomite was extra torque. The gearbox and differential 8.5:1. Standard transmission was a 4-speed introduced at the London Motor Show in were replaced by a version of those fitted to manual gearbox (overdrive and Borg- October 1971 but was not in full produc- the TR and 2000 series cars. Warner Type 35 3-speed automatic trans- tion until October 1972. The new Dolomite More in-depth features on these an- missions were options.) with final drive used the longer body shell of the front niversary Triumph models will be fea- to the rear wheels. The monocoque body wheel drive , but with the tured in the British Car Day Programme had all-round us- majority of the running gear carried over or other issues of RAGTOP, later in the ing coil springs. The servo-assisted brakes from the rear-wheel drive Toledo. year. ragtop were disc at the front and drums at the Initially, the new slant-four 1854 cc rear. Larger-engined models, known as the engine was used. This was a Triumph 2.5 PI and Triumph 2500 were also version of the engine that added to the mix after a year or two. Triumph was already pro- European Classic Car Specialists Triumph’s 2000 and the Rover P6 were viding to Saab for use in Maintenance and Service released in October 1963 for the Earls their 99 model and Court International Motor Show. Together, Complete Mechanical Repairs am the cars defined a new market segment, Dre promising levels of comfort and luxury ur Complete Electrical Repairs o hitherto only associated with the larger Y Rover and Jaguar models, but with a sig- Parts New and Used s U nificantly lower purchase price. Volume

Parts Fabrication g sales began in January 1964. n

i Although warmly greeted by the Amer-

r Restoration of Body and Interior B ican automotive press, the car’s introduc- The Dolomite Sprint 16 valve tion to U.S. and Canadian markets in 1965 1998 cc slant four. Originally coincided with the muscle car vogue and offered only in Mimosa the 2000 struggled to sell against medi-

28 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 29 historically speaking TR2 Reaches

by listair allace o arque oordinator A W - TR2/3 C -M C 60 Key Production changes: TS 1 - first built 22/7/1953 TS 580 - Aluminum bonnet and spare tyre door he Triumph TR2 has now reached his engineers to build. Now all that was left changed to steel. (Feb ‘54) Tthe ripe old age of 60 years. In recognition to do was to promote and sell it. TS1307 - Square glass rear lenses with spate re- Just before the first production car of this, let’s explore how it all began and flectors deleted. Combination light and reflector why this little sidescreen is so historically was built in July, speed tests were con- substituted. (April ‘54) special. During the 1940s the Standard ducted on the Jabbeke Highway in Bel- TS1927 - Stronger wheel nuts provided. (June ‘54) Motor Company was owned by Sir John gium on May 20th 1953. It was this day TS 3268 - Battery box drain tube added. (July ‘54) Black. The idea of producing a sports car that the TR2 was officially clocked at 124 TS 4002 - 1955 model year introduced with short- was intriguing to him, so he acquired the mph over one mile. Two runs were con- er doors and outer sills. Optional hardtop now Triumph name and then attempted, un- to use its Vanguard engine on the Standard ducted; one in each direction, and the available. (Oct ‘54) successfully, to purchase Morgan. When he Eight frame with a smaller more sleek de- mean was recorded. TS 4229 - Internal bonnet cable release deleted. could not buy a sports car he decided to sign than the previous Roadster or Bullet. Dzus fasteners introduced. (Oct 54) TS 5255 - Tenex fasteners deleted except for design and build a sports car on his own. While it was generally well received, it did windscreen and replaced with lift-a-dot. (Feb ‘55) The 1800 roadster was his first, and rather not get the huge splash that was expected. TS-5256 - Fixed window side curtains / zippers large, attempt which ran somewhat suc- Based on this feedback from the auto show, replaced wedge sliding type (Feb 55) cessfully in production in the years follow- it was decided that the design needed to be TS 5443 - Rear drums enlarged to 10 x 2.5 inches. ing the Second World War. tweaked and lead engineers, alongside the (March ‘55) However, as far as Black was concerned, now famed Ken Richardson, buckled down TS6157 - Scuttle vent flap for cooling introduced, a sports car needed to be smaller and faster. to make the initial Earl Court design more operated by pull know from dash. (April 55) His first try, the “Bullet,” was deemed a com- appealing. The aim was to fit in between TS 6266 - Overdrive introduced on 2nd,3rd and plete failure and was never put into pro- the MGs and larger Jaguars that were top gear. (May ‘55) duction. Early in 1952 Black ordered that a flooding the market. The final product TS 8636 - Last TR2 Built. (Oct ‘55) new car must be designed and built for the design of the TR2 was a perfect fit and as 1. Using speed trim with overdrive with a metal Earls Court Motor show in October. The de- fate would have it, even more exceptional tonneau cover with a complete undershield. ing Green. Trim colors were limited dur- sign deadline was met and a car did show than anticipated. The key was its ability to a. 1 mile – mean speed 199.711 kph ing the first 1200 cars to Grey, Blackberry at Earls Court that year. Standard decided compete in the under 2 litre class for ral- (124.095 mph) and Geranium. During the remaining run lies and races. For this to happen, the en- 2. Using touring trim with top up, an The first TR2 was built on July 22 1953 of cars the trim options expanded to in- gine displacement was reduced to 1991cc, undershield with overdrive. (TS1 LO) and continued through until TS clude Brown, Stone, Red, Geranium, Grey the boot was redesigned, the petrol tank a. 1 mile – mean speed 183.807 kph 8636 L which was built on October 6 1955. and Blue. Once the colors were chosen moved and resized and changes were (114.213 mph) The basic model cost £886 and if you want- the owner was flooded with available op- made to the engine and transmission. In 3. Using touring trim with top up, an ed the hard top with sliding windows the tions, just like today! Some of the options March of 1953, the final product emerged - undershield with no overdrive. price was £950. that were available to the new owner in- the new TR2. Now Black had a car that was a. 1 mile – mean speed 174.611 kph The TR2 model with its run of 8636 cluded: Overdrive, Fabric tonneau cover, very different from the previous models (103.499 mph) cars was available in 7 original colors; Knock-on wire wheels, Aero screens, Rear built by Standard; it was smaller, faster and Triumph Guide by Dave Allen & Dick Strome (1959) Ice Blue, Geranium, Olive Yellow, Pearl wing spats, Radio, Heater, Short front under $2000 - exactly what he had asked White, Black, Signal Red and British Rac- windshield, Skid plate (competition), Alu-

30 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 31 historically speaking BACK THEN WE WERE THE EXPERTS Dimensions: Wheelbase 7’ 4” minum sump, Special (racing) tyres, Lug- The TR2 had everything going for AT INSURING ‘57 CHEVYS Track (front) 3’ 9” gage case, Luggage grid and a Tool kit. it, it was a sports car; it was luxurious Track (rear) 3’ 9 1/2” These features plus a more in depth (beauty is in the eye of the beholder); it Ground Clearance 6” look at the TR2 can be found in either of was fast; and it was deemed affordable Turning Circle 32’ Bill Piggott’s books Triumph TR2, 3 & 3A in for the average person. This was a win- Tyre Size 5.50”—15” Tyre Pressures Front 22lbs./sq.in. Detail and Collector’s Originality Guide Tri- ner and Sir John Black knew it, but now Tyre Pressures Rear 24lbs./sq.in. umph TR2, TR3,TR4,TR5,TR6,TR7 TR8. so did his competitors. Length 12’ 7” One market that Sir John Black noticed Width 4’ 7 1/2” was largely untapped by British cars was Weight Kerb Conditions 18 cwts. 3 qrs 7 lbs America. The sports car industry was just (2107lbs/956kg) Axel weight front 9 cwts. 3 qrs. 14 lbs beginning there and Black took advantage (1106lbs/502kg) of it by exporting nearly 70% of all TR2s Axel weight rear 8 cwts. 3 qrs. 21 lbs into this emerging market. (1001lbs/454kg) The TR2 reign lasted until October of Shipping weight 17 cwts. 2 qrs. 21 lbs. 1955, when the TR3 came into its own, (2009lbs/911kg) continuing on into early 1962. Sir John Black had a vision of what he wanted to Capacities: see driving on British and American roads. Fuel Tank 12.5 Gallons / 57 Litres Engine Sump 11 pints / 6.4 litres Quite simply he made this vision come true Gearbox 1.5 pints / 0.8 litres and forced other car companies to strive to Gearbox with OD 3.5 pints / 2.0 litres higher standards. The thrill of driving a side Rear Axel 1.5 pints / 0.8 litres screen car is a different feeling that has to Cooling System 13 pints / 7.5 litres be experienced to understand. As you turn ND E TILL RE the key and push the start button, the en- was going through Ken Richardson’s mind A W S A . gine rumbles to life, the gauges swing into as he hammered his TR2 on the Jabbeke operation, and the ignition light begins to highway to establish his speed record… I faintly glow as it reaches idle. As you speed think all sidescreen owners have a pretty away from a stop, you have to wonder what good idea! ragtop

A LOT OF INSURANCE COMPANIES SAY THEY KNOW CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE CARS. B UT WE BELIEVE NO ONE KNOWS THEM BETTER THAN STATE FARM. A FTER ALL WE WERE INSURING MANY OF THESE CARS LONG BEFORE THEY BECAME CLASSICS. AND AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAR INSURER, WE CURRENTLY INSURE WELL OVER 120,000 OF THESE UNIQUE MACHINES. WITH STATE FARM YOU ’RE ALWAYS SURE OF GETTING COVERAGE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU --- AND YOUR CAR. AT SOME OF THE MOST COMPETIVE RATES AVAILABLE. P ERHAPS THAT’S WHY SO MANY CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE CAR OWNERS INSIST ON INSURING THEIR AUTOMOTIVE TREASURES WITH STATE FARM THAN WITH ANY OTHER COMPANY . SO CALL YOUR STATE FARM AGENT TODAY AND YOU ’LL LEARN THAT JUST LIKE SOME CARS, SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES ONLY IMPROVE WITH AGE.

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L IKE A GOOD N E IGHB OUR S TA TE FAR M IS T H ERE.

32 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 obituary Craig Hill – Canadian Motorsport Legend Hill’s GT6 at Harewood Craig driving Brabham BT40 by rank anning oronto riumph istorian Craig in TR4 running 2nd at Mosport F M - T T H Craig retired from Castrol, but still ing a period of serious recession. Labour showed interest and enthusiasm in all problems, strikes and slowdowns and poor forms of motor racing and accepted my quality control reduced the number of cars invitation to appear, along with Bill Brack, coming into Canada to a trickle. The motor at British Car Day 2012. He thoroughly en- industry was now saying it was all over and joyed the experience, last seen posing with this time it really was. motor sports fans and signing autographs. Team Triumph was now well into retire- One of the last projects Hill and I talked ment, Craig had moved on to driving sin- about was entering my TR4 in the Targa gle-seater, open wheel formula cars, nota- Newfoundland rally. I don’t think with to- bly the Lotus Formula B and the Brabham day’s sophisticated machinery that we BT40, culminating in him winning his first could have taken the day, but we would Canadian Driver’s title. have put on a hell of a show! Craig, who had been working with Craig was a pioneer in all levels of Canadi- Craig in Jaguar wins first major Canadian race Bill Brack and I at Sportscars Unlimited in an motorsport at a time when very little cov- Clarkson, Ontario, was the first to leave to erage was reported in the local press. His ra- join the marketing division at Burmah Cas- Craig Hill (center) inducted into Motorsport Hall of Fame dio and television commentaries introduced nyone remotely interested in the trol. I think he must have phoned me at the sport to a global audience and helped ABritish car hobby in Canada during the 1960s least once a week to try and convince me have been the pinnacle in his motorsport put Canadian motorsport on the map. Craig and co-driver Ludwig Heimrath test the TR4 and ‘70s, owes Craig Hill a debt of gratitude. to leave the car industry and join him at career was winning the Canadian Driver’s After a full life, 40 years of doing what he Craig’s motorsport career started back Hare family farm, just outside of Jarvis, umph in its latest configuration. Castrol. Thanks to Craig’s persistence, I did, title in his Lotus Formula B in 1969 and loved, Craig passed away quietly at his in the 1950s, racing stock cars and dirt Ontario. With the outbreak of WWII, the Ca- I well remember, with much fanfare, thinking I would do it for the summer; I had then again in 1970. home in November 2012. The celebration track midgets across Canada and the U.S. nadian government established bomber American racer Bob Tullius and his Group a successful 20 year career with them. In 1996, Craig was inducted into the of his life was attended by popular press In 1959, Craig burst onto the road racing command and built runways across the 44 team, coming to Mosport to “show us Craig, of course, was instrumental in Motorsport Hall of Fame. This elegant black and media and the motorsport communi- scene when he won the first professional farm. As the war came to an end, the air how it was done”. Perhaps Canadian team bringing motorsport to Canadian televi- tie affair was hosted by American Formula ty. An evening filled with lots of stories, lots sports car race in Canada. This event took force abandoned the facility, leaving the member, Raymond Gray said it best, “that sion by doing the colour commentary on 1 star, Dan Gurney. I believe Dan also start- of memories, lots of laughs. A fitting send- place at Harewood Acres and was billed old runways intact. The family was ap- was a big mistake”. “Craig and I beat them the CTV Motorsports series. What must ed his career by racing Triumphs in the ‘60s. off to a motorsport legend.ragtop as the C.R.D.A. 500. Craig and co-driver proached by the British Empire Motor Club up pretty bad and needless to say, they Ray Carter, won the event outright, tak- to host a series of sports car and motorcy- never came back”. ing the checkered flag, driving their cle races on the property. This early motor By the late ‘60s, Standard Triumph was lightweight XKSS Jaguar. race facility became known as “Harewood taken over by Leyland and the competi- Alan Miller, president of Standard Tri- Acres” by the racing community. tion department was closed. The two team umph Canada Ltd. at the time, dreamt I have great memories of marshalling cars were sold off to private club racers, but of establishing a factory race team built at the old track and realized I was witness- Craig kept the team alive when he built around the TR4 and the Spitfire. Craig was ing the birth of Canadian motor sport, with and prepared a Triumph GT6 to race in the asked to test drive the TR at Harewood Craig running the factory TR4. Canada-U.S. series. This almost forgotten Acres and after only five laps around the As Triumphs became more effective, marque proved to be a very successful race old airport track, it was obvious Triumph running long distance events like the Sun- car with many class wins in Canada and had a winning combination. After much down Grand Prix and the classic sports car the U. S., most particularly at Watkins Glen, testing, Craig signed to drive the heav- races at Sebring, a second driver was re- New York. Craig and co-driver Heimrath ily modified TR4, leaving Englishman, Ray- quired and Ludwig Heimrath was brought went on to win the Sundown Grand Prix in mond Gray, to drive the team Spitfire. in to co-drive the TR4 with Hill. I wish all of the GT6 in 1973 and 1974 at Mosport. Harewood Acres was built on the old you could have been there to witness Tri- The British car industry was now enter- Craig running pace car Craig and I at Castrol booth at Motorsport Trade show circa mid-80’s

34 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 35 restoration Front valance and drivers side fender damage and poor fitment apparent after stripping

back to it seriously until October. My first October project was to fit the body panels and work on the panel gaps to make them a little better. In particular, I was concerned with the door to front fend- er gaps and the rear valance to boot lid gaps. These were made somewhat better by “cutting and shutting” tight areas, while wide gaps were made smaller by welding in some steel rod. & I decided to take a break from weld- 6 Two 3s ing and bodywork and tackled a few small projects such as rebuilding and restoring by David Tushingham Part 10 the pedal box, seat tracks and other small t is hard to believe that it has been a welding, grinding, patching, filling, sand- parts. This will make it easier once re-as- Iyear since I reported on the progress of ing and priming over the past year. I have sembly finally begins. my 1960 TR3A project. Time flies when you made countless trips to the auto body sup- I had been putting off working on the are having fun, eh? Truthfully though, I ply store to replenish the seemingly never front apron and driver’s side fender. They couldn’t have imagined when I started this ending requirement for auto body refin- showed quite a bit of “racing” damage once project, I would still be working on it three ishing products. I am amazed at not only the panels were stripped of paint and copi- years later! Hopefully though, I can now the quantity of materials required, but also ous amounts of body filler. The nose of the see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, the cost. Even a roll of 2 inch masking tape fender and drivers side corner of the front without further ado, here is my report. costs ten dollars! valance were in bad shape with severe dent- In the Spring 2012 edition of RAGTOP Picking up where I last left off... I had Rear valance vertical and In April of 2012, I started in earnest to the more recent work I had done... I spent ing and detached mounting flanges. A new I reported on the successful start up of just replaced the entire rear of the car with horizontal closing panels welded in. strip the remaining areas of the body tub many hours filling and sanding these area fender flange was fabricated and welded in the engine, which had not run for sev- a new valance. New vertical and horizontal down to bare metal. The with most of the filler ending back up on place while dents were hammered and dol- eral years. I had never heard it run at all, closing pieces were welded into the bot- front and rear inner wheel the garage floor in a big pile of dust. I have lied out to the best of my ability. Welding re- so it served not only as great motivation, tom of the valance, after several checks to well arches were stripped of to honestly say that sanding body filler is pairs were needed to several areas around but also provided a respite from sanding, ensure the bumper bracket bolts were an- their thick undercoating and not one of my favourite jobs! the mouth of the front valance and the new scraping and painting. gled properly to pick up their attachment painted with POR15, then As we were now into May, driving sea- grill was fitted and finessed a little, to make Let me first say that I have a new appre- points on the frame. Replacement rear covered with truck bed liner. son was in full swing and that meant that it fit as it should. ciation for the amount of time, effort, skill body tub mounting brackets were welded The interior of the tub was the TR6 and TR250 were brought out of In December, Santa came a couple of and money that it takes to do bodywork in place and this area was completed with glass bead blasted to bare winter storage. The TR3A was pushed to weeks early and brought me a new Dev- and paint. I have spend hundreds of hours the addition of new side stiffening panels. metal. Welding repairs were the side of the garage and pretty much ne- ilbiss HVLP paint gun kit complete with a carried out and then the en- glected for most of the summer. I find it dif- primer gun and basecoat/clearcoat gun. tire tub interior was painted, ficult to make the time to work on the TR3A I had decided on a paint system to follow first with POR15 and then when most weekends during the Spring using Matrix branded products and my with POR15 Whitecoat, and Summer are spent driving the cars to first purchases were several quarts of Self Rear inner wheel well painted with which hardens and protects one event or another. Adding to this, my Etching Primer and Epoxy Primers along POR15 followed by truck bed liner like bathtub enamel. work schedule didn’t cooperate either, as with a myriad of hardeners, activators, and Earlier I had fitted inner and outer sill. The following month I began my first I was away from home quite a bit manag- reducers. During my Christmas vacation, I In order to do this on a sidescreen car, a foray into working with body fillers, as I ing labour disputes in other centres across used my new primer gun to paint the boot/ portion of the body sheet metal must be started working on smoothing out the en- the country. Many TTC members who own bonnet/doors, as well as the front & rear cut away at the bottom and rear of the gine bay and firewall areas. I figured that TR250s or TR6s are also members of the fenders, with white epoxy primer. I had a B-post. Fabricating patch panels to effec- this would be a good place to start as im- 6-PACK Car Club. Each year, the Club has bit of a setback when refitting the rear pas- tively repair this area turned into a bit of perfections in my technique would not be one major event called the “6-PACK TRials” senger side fender. While bolting the rear a challenge as there are multiple curves so obvious. As it turned out, most of this and David Fidler and I had the pleasure of fender on to do some fit checks, I was “per- early work was re-done a few months later, hosting this event for 2012 in Niagara Falls, suading” the front of the fender to conform Door gap repairs...welding and angles and flanges to form. I was in some steel rod happy to finish this area after avoiding it as it became a glaring example of how not Ontario. This also took a lot of time away to the radius of the wheel arch and the for some time! to do bodywork, when compared to more from working on my TR3A and I didn’t get additional force cause a stress crack in the

36 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 37 Body tub interior glass bead blasted to bare metal epoxy primer, which needed to be rectified in order to proceed. In the end, the fender needed to be stripped back to bare metal so that proper repairs could be made to correct the fitment issues. It is tough to move backwards on a project and I have had to do this several times. It really takes the wind out of your sails. I have continued with the remaining bodywork, but have yet to finish prim- ing the front and rear of the car and the topside of the body tub. The most recent project I completed was the restoration of the metal transmission tunnel. The metal flanges at the front of the tunnel had rust- ed completely away and new flanges were fabricated and welded in. Over the next few months I will com- plete the remaining bodywork and move on to final priming and block sanding, in preparation for base and clear coat. I have decided to keep my TR250 and TR6 in stor- age a little longer this year and don’t antici- pate having them out until at least June. I plan on building a temporary spray booth in my garage and would prefer not hav- ing two other cars being in the way and in danger of picking up overspray etc. Keep- ing the cars in storage will also provide me with an incentive to get the TR3A done that much more quickly! With any luck, I hope to have it on the road by mid-summer and out to some TTC events. Wish me Luck! ragtop

Inner fender stripping showing more damage and old braising repairs

As she sits today

38 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 restoration

THE 72 DAY PROJECTby John Lille or a number of years I have been eral coats of a liquid epoxy sealant F‘chomping at the bit’ to repaint my 1967 designed to restore strength to rot- TR4A, bought new in August of 1967. ting wood fibres I was able to bring Ralph, owner of Auto King Collision, finally them back to life. Rather than using agreed that the time was right. staples I glued the piping and vinyl The 1974 R-M Paint Co. respray was edges to the inner side of the pan- showing its age with many deep scratch- els. On November 6, with the doors es and minor cracks. Several of the panels completed, I returned them to the had dings and various attempts at previ- A sharp eye will notice the shop for final assembly. wooden speaker boxes ous corrective surgery were becoming a All went well and Tom hauled the bit of an eyesore. car back home on November 30. Five coats of the water based colour were applied followed by One day after the 2011 British Car day All throughout the previous weeks three coats of clear the ‘reverse assembly’ of all removable I cleaned, repaired as needed and panels started. By September 22, the four polished all of the various bits and fenders and trunk lid were off and ready pieces. By the way, never throw out to be delivered to Techno Strip Ltd (a old tooth brushes. Having an under- regular RAGTOP advertiser). A sharp eye standing wife, I was able to scatter will notice the wooden speaker boxes ‘my stuff’ all over the idle beds, tables, between the front inner and outer fend- and desks throughout the house ers. The doors , hood and remaining body (November 17). The small dents in were stripped by me using paint remover the stainless steel wing beads and bought from Canadian Tire. I was obvi- fender mouldings were carefully re- ously lucky to have such a balmy autumn moved followed by polishing. As I since the job could be done in the drive- had done, since I first bought the car, way, as shown by the October 1 & 8 shots. The finished project I used a rubber gasket made from a Incidentally, this attracted many gentle- bicycle inner tube to separate the men from the neighbourhood walking Once the panels were back delivered the rest of the Triumph to Auto clear. By October 21, Ralph was busy cut- inner and outer fenders. That seems to their dogs. They regularly stopped to chat from Techno Strip, Ralph took King. By the way, Tom’s grandfather was ting and polishing the various panels. have kept the rust from forming. For the and I welcomed the numerous breaks to over to work his ‘magic’. The a RAF Spitfire pilot, with a Polish fighter That same day, I took my spouse Joanna fenders, rather than using Spire nuts and discuss Triumphs. Stripping panels is ob- upper leading corners of the squadron, during WWII. Needless to say, and my 88 year old neighbour Karl to the Acme head screws, regular nuts, washers viously labour intensive, requiring several front fenders were showing we had an interesting chat. shop to show the progress. As you can and bolts completed the assembly. Karl tried his hand at polishing with Joanna giving instructions applications of the chemical, each fol- signs of rust. Similarly the low- During the next few weeks quite a bit of see, Karl tried his hand at polishing with Interestingly enough, I didn’t make lowed by scraping off the softened layers er trailing edges of the doors welding, filing, filling, priming and sanding Joanna giving instructions. notes or take detailed pictures during the of paint. When someone tells you that one the two painters decided on the colour, were compromised. We uncrimped the was done to prepare the panels for paint- By October 31 the rest of the TR was disassembly, so the old brain still seems application will remove 5 layers of paint, but did not record the formula. Not being door skins and removed the surface rust at ing. In the meantime, by October 20, the looking pretty good. The inner surface of to be functioning. Compared to some of don’t believe it! a purist as such, I decided to go with the the edges. Epoxy panel glue was applied repair and preparation of the rest of the car the door panels needed attention. The fi- the full restoration done by others in the The car was re-sprayed in 1974 by R-M same colour again. We sent the air vent lid before clinching the door skins. was coming along well. bre boards were somewhat spongy and Toronto Triumph Club, this was a piece of Paint Co. (now a brand of BASF), using a to the R-M lab in the U.S. and they success- On October 3, Tom Kowalski, owner- Five coats of the water based colour the staples holding the white piping in cake. On December 1, I was driving the Tri- newly developed coating. In my absence, fully deciphered the formula. operator of Autobahn Towing & Recovery, were applied followed by three coats of place were brittle from rust. Using sev- umph TR4A again. ragtop

40 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 41 maintenance

TM Klear KustomsEST.1989 Dashpot

Ontario, Canada Seal Fix by David Tushingham ‘m just finishing my list of spring proj- couple of days and I was constantly hav- this job, but this way worked for me! Iects and the last one on the list was to ing to refill them towards the end of last The first thing I needed to do was take Classic Car Restoration change out the O rings in the air valve of year’s driving season. the top cap off the carbs and remove the the stock ZS carbs on my 1973 TR6. I need- I thought I would take a few pictures along springs and air valves. Step 1 ed to change them because I couldn’t the way to document and share with you. I am I then took the diaphragm off the air keep oil in the dashpots for more than a sure there are other methods or tools to do valve so it didn’t get damaged. Step 2

Step 1 Step 3

Full or Partial Restorations Award Winning Custom Paint In House Powder Coating In House Polishing Pre Purchase Inspections Appraisals Engine Detailing I then used my mixture tool to turn the needle all the way down as far as it would go. Step 3 Classic Car General Maintenance Step 2 Step 4

Phone:905.796.9919 Website:KlearKustoms.com 16 Stafford Drive, Brampton, ON L6W 1L4 ... and then removed the small retaining set screw to remove the needle. Step 4

Ragtop I Spring I 2013 www.TorontoTriumph.com 43 Step 5 Step 7 Step 8

... A closer shot of the adjuster and the O-ring

Step 6

Reassembly with a little synthetic grease on the O-ring. Just tap it back down.

Insert the needle back in the bottom tabs on the diaphragm match up with the and make sure that it threads into the slots in the air valve and then tighten the adjuster. Make sure the needle moves up 4 screws. Drop the air valve back into the and down. I took a mental note of where carb and make sure that you line up the mine was positioned when I removed it. tab on the diaphragm with the slot on Here is the old O-ring removed and the Put the set screw back in and tighten, the carb body. Put the spring back in and new one ready to be installed (1/4 inch O- making sure that the slot in the needle place the top of the carb back on. Fill the Just for reference, this is what it looks ring). O-rings can be purchased from any of carrier is aligned with the set screw. Place dasphots with oil to the correct level and To get to the O ring, I needed to push it out through the top of the air valve. I used a like internally when one uses the mixture the usual Triumph parts houses or can be the diaphragm back on the air valve mak- you are good to go! ragtop broken off screwdriver and tapped it out with a small hammer. Step 5 tool to raise or lower the needle. Step 6 found at your local auto parts store. Step 7 ing note when you reassemble that the

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44 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 tail lites by Terence McKillen YOU PAID HOW MUCH ?

If you don’t mind paying too much The installation of new carpeting in my TTC webmaster, Dave Copping, re- I have just fitted new Stag went well over the winter period. The ported that he enjoyed a 45 minute run in his bayonette-style LED bulbs 1970 side pieces along the door scuttle and the GT6+ on March 8th, thereby claiming the early in both the Six and the for your parts, there is no need to Triumph TR6 piece over the transmission tunnel were bird trophy for 2013. I know some more of us Stag for a remarkable im- This is a very glued in place and were a little harder to re- were tempted to open the garage doors and provement in tail/stop read any further. If you would like nice TR6 that move but the main floor pieces were loose get our Triumphs fired up that same weekend light intensity. I used the lived its entire and came away easily. I was delighted to up but decided that there was still too much new bulbs recently avail- life in California. find pristine paintwork on the floor pans. I in- salt and sand on the roads until the rain could able from Moss Motors to buy your parts at the best prices No rust or body stalled the new carpet using spray-on adhe- clear things up a bit. My own debut, with the (part # 170-940). They fit right in to the damage before we had the paint sive in places and industrial quality Velcro to Six, was a short run on March 14. existing holders but be sure to speci- in Canada, read on. Drakes’ British redone in origi- hold down the lower edges of the transmis- fy red, yellow or white depending on nal Jasmine yel- sion tunnel and floor pan carpeting to give a which bulbs you are replacing. Do not Motors can supply any part from low. New bum- near seamless finish. If the floor were to get The clutch operation of the type found order white and then expect the lens to pers, sill chrome, windshield and trim seals were fitted throughout and the wet at some time in the future, I can now eas- in the TR range as well as in the Stag and provide the appropriate colour. If you suspension and complete braking system was rebuilt. The engine had been ily remove the carpeting for external drying. the 2000 and 2.5PI Saloons suffers from plan to use the yellow ones for the turn the Moss catalogs at the most previously rebuilt and runs great, so we just did a tune up, added new belts, a notoriously poor release mechanism. signals, be sure to order an electronic hoses and fuel pump. We also added a fully rebuilt overdrive and the wire When hydraulic pressure is applied at the flasher unit as the old one will not work reasonable cost to you. But, don’t wheels were refinished complete with new hubs, chrome knockoffs and new ver the winter on the TR6, I removed the slave cylinder, the slave cylinder piston with LED bulbs. The LED bulbs are about Coker redline tires. The complete interior was replaced with all new correct O reproduction components and is the original light tan, we also fitted a new timing cover, timing chain and cogs as well moves backwards and via a cross shaft $25 apiece as opposed to less than a $1 Robbins top with the correct reflective strip. This car is one small step away and linkage ultimately moves the finger take our word for this. The next as the front engine plate in order to replace for the old style incandescent bulbs but from being called a full top to bottom restored vehicle, it looks stunning and all of the gaskets and oil seals. When the front of the clutch cover to release pressure on what price on safety? runs and drives as nice as it looks. $22,500 $20,200 plate was removed an interesting situation the clutch plate. This system suffers from time you need something, send emerged when I was cleaning off the remains worn cross shaft bearings, tapered fork of the old paper gasket. I noticed that one of drive pins which break, and release bear- Noticed in a recent issue of ‘Triumph us an email for a quote. We will the engine core plug cups had corroded and ing carriers which end up with deep wear World’ magazine from the UK that a Stan- almost completely disintegrated leaving the grooves. All of this adds up to lost motion, dard 4-cylinder model “S” circa 1913, was 1974 Triumph TR6 coolant to be held back by the engine plate which detracts from proper operation. found in a barn in England where it had get right back to you with a price. Californian TR6. rather than the metal plug. Fortunately, Fred Having pulled his transmission every win- been in storage since 1930. The new owner No accidents, MacEachern was able to come to the rescue ter for the past four years, Colin Pillar re- now claims a record in having a car that has no rust, paint is with a new core plug before everything was solved to fix his problematic clutch release been off the road for 82 years! nice with only bolted back together. system once and for all and this past winter minor defects, he collected all of the necessary parts to Many TTC members are already on a beautiful, install an annular clutch slave cylinder and Having just received and devoured straight body. Should you be tempted to install a Per- release bearing assembly. He went it alone, my copy of the Fall issue of RAGTOP from believers. Get in touch for a quote New front & rear tronix electronic distributor with the built ignoring the kits available from the likes of cover to cover, I have to admit that I felt bumpers, stainless trim rings and tires. Tan interior has new seats, panel in electronic ignition in place of the origi- Revington TR in the UK. I’m not going to a bit like Waldo of ‘Where is Waldo?’ fame – [email protected] kit, dashtop, sunvisors, tan Robbins top, retractor seatbelts and wind- nal mechanical driven unit in your TR6, steal Colin’s thunder but urge you to watch as I discovered my image appeared in six shield and seals. Engine is strong with electronic ignition and the over- be warned that it is not compatible with out for a full exposé to be published in an photographs scattered throughout the drive transmission was rebuilt two years ago. 4 tip Ansa exhaust system. Front end rebuild including bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering the original tachometer as there is no me- upcoming issue of RAGTOP. magazine! I’m tempted to offer a modest rack boots & at the rear new differential mounts and trailing arm bushings. chanical take off for the tachometer cable. prize to the first person who can correctly Hydraulics all redone with new clutch and brake master, slave cylinder and The solution would be to install an electric identify all of the images! We are also a Canadian distributor for hoses. $16,600 $14,500 tachometer of the type fitted to the TR7/8 Noticed in a recent Queen’s University Dayton Wire Wheels. and Stag or better still, an electronic tach. “Alumni Review” magazine an interesting Ca- I was almost persuaded to fit one of these nadian connection with the McLaren Formula Readers are invited to forward contri- electronic distributor units when I recently One team. Math and engineering graduate, butions for inclusion in TAIL LITES to Assis- went to pick up a spare electronic ignition Dr. Caroline Hargrove, has been working with [email protected]. Topics unit but returned it when I discovered this the McLaren research team for the past 12 can cover any aspect of Triumph or other Drakes’ British Motors Inc. shortfall, of which the supplier professed years and was responsible for the develop- British classic cars or general motoring (250)763-0883 Ph., (250)861-8051 Fax, email [email protected] complete ignorance. ment of the first Formula 1 race car simulator. trivia. ragtop 2286 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna, B.C., V1W 3Z7 WWW.DRAKESBRITISHMOTORS.COM 46 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Spring I 2013 Gives You a Hand

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