

![]() posts: 3 RBRR organising team member Wessex (Bristol & Bath) group joined on Tue 2nd Apr 1996 |
April 2021 |
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Hello all Calling all entrants hopefully most of you would have had a call from the organising team -if you haven't you will soon, check your voice messages! Some of you may have also received a "what's app" message - don't worry its our "tech ferret" setting up a broadcast only group for all entrants Over the weekend our route master had us testing a new app we intend to use in October -sneak preview below |
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Quantock Motors Ltd of Swindon - Triumph car dealers 106 |
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This post is about Triumph car dealers in the town of Swindon in Wiltshire UK. Quantock Motors Ltd sold and serviced Standard Triumph cars in Swindon for many years The business started out based on Devizes Road operating from a site that earlier was owned and operated by another business.
Some history
The Motor Engineering Company poses for the camera outside its Devizes Road premises of around 1910. The building remained in the trade, and later became Quantock Motors. It is now commercial premises, and the gap next door in the top picture has long been occupied by a series of restaurants.
Programme adverts
Devizes Road buildingAfter Quantock Motors moved on to a new site at Dorcan Way their building saw new users and some modernisation.Dutton Forshaw take overQuantock Motors Ltd was acquired by the Dutton Forshaw Group in 1976. Triumph car dealers in SwindonOctober 1955: Distributor Quantock Motors, Devices Road, 'phone 2073 October 1958, August 1961: Distributor Quantock Motors, Devices Road, 'phone 2073 Dealer Lucknow Garage (W H Golby), 2 Statton Road, phone Stratton St Magaret 2359 February 1965, September 1968, March 1970: Distributor Quantock Motors, Devices Road, 'phone 5283/4 March 1972: Distributor Quantock Motors, Devices Road, phone 0793 5283/4/5 Dealer A E Williams, Lechlade Road, Highworth phone 0793 76203 March 1974: Distributor Quantock Motors, Devices Road, phone 0793 5283/4/5 Dealer Westrop Motors (prop Great Bedwyn Motors), Lechlade Road, Highworth phone 0793 76203 May 1975: Distributor Quantock Motors, Dorcan Way, SN3 3RS phone 0793 5283/4/5 Dealer Westrop Motors (prop Great Bedwyn Motors), Lechlade Road, Highworth, SN6 7HG phone 0793 76203April 1979: Distributor Dutton Forshaw (Swindon) Ltd, Dorcan Way, SN3 3RS phone 0793 5283/4/5 Dealer Show and Service Week promotionStaff from Standard Triumph HQ visited the business and assisted the firm with week long Show and Service promotions. These were held by the firm at their Devices Road premises 13 to 17 February 1967.Plea for informationIf you have any information or recollections about Quantock Motors Ltd of Swindon Standard Triumph car dealers such as photos of window stickers, dealer badges or sill plates etc please let me know. I can be contacted via the comments to this post or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephen.weblin Further information and sourcesLink to the other articles in this series.Link to facebook page: Triumph Car Dealers. Link to my Triumph Car Dealers Flickr group which includes many photos of Standard Triumph garages etc from my collection and many other contributors . I have a collection of Standard Triumph car dealer directories: http://vitessesteve.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/triumph-car-dealer-directories.html Picture credits: Quantock Motors, Swindon 1957 advertisement from Swindon Central library collection; Quantock Motors, Devices Road, Swindon 1961 from Swindon Central library collection; A blog post from vitessesteve
posted Mon 5th Apr 2021
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![]() posts: 5741 Netherlands joined on Sun 5th Mar 2006 |
FHC resto nr. 125; Gear lever gaiter finisher |
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Nearly finished another of the many very small jobs that take so much time to complete, but also are really good fun to do! In this case I had a go at remanufacturing the finisher/ferrule that sits in the top of the gear lever gaiter. The reason for this little project was the fact that this is how my best spare item looked, when I retrieved it from the parts stock; it just fell apart at the lightest touch! And this is a part that hasn’t been available through the normal TR7 specialists for some time. Luckily the remains were large enough to provide me with all the measurements, necessary to reproduce a dimensional drawing of this finisher. Including some small personal touches of course! The (AutoCAD) file was then used to produce a three dimensional model of the part, which in its final version looks like this on the computer screen: This digital 3D model was then converted into a STL-file which in turn was used to produce the eventual finished product, using a friends 3D-printer. But before that we did a “standard plastic” test print, which turned out to be not entirely what I had expected. But that was my own fault. I had set the file’s resolution (FACETRES command in AutoCAD) at its lowest setting, were I thought I had it at its highest resolution setting. So very easy to rectify. The final product was than printed using black ABS filament. The printed item already looks pretty good in real life. But it still needs additional treatment to give it a smooth and polished finish. Sadly getting the correct products is a bit of a problem with the current corona measures. But so far quite pleased with the result! |
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TR6 for sale |
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You can't keep them all, or so Mrs C keeps telling me. So, my TR6 needs a new home. It's a 1970 UK car, with overdrive. Its all up and running well. I've had it for 7 years and its completed a few events and trips, in it over the years including a Round Britain Reliability Run, well I am on the Club Triumph organising team so it seemed necessary to do 2000 miles non stop in the TR. It's been used well and I've taken it to France and various trips with friends around the UK, it's never been home on a flatbed. When I acquired the car, back in 2012, it had been off the road for many years in dry store. I drove it home from Essex to Berkshire and apart from a little last minute high temperature when I came off the motorway, it was fine. The rise in temp was due to a poor connection to the electric fan. That's all been replaced now with a modern controller and in 2018 a new radiator. Shown below when fitted Over the years I have replaced the inlets and linkages with refurbished ones from Neil Ferguson, along with a set of injectors and a metering unit just last year. I generally source my refurbished stuff from Neil as he's ex-Lucas and a helpful chap with decent prices. My next project car is Lucas injected too :-) Teaser image below! Back to the TR6 - I've renewed most of the interior with standard vinyl, black carpets and new sound insulation. I rebuilt the seats underneath with new foam and webbing but using the original covers. I've added some hidden USB for phone charging and sat nav too. The suspension was a bit of a voyage of discovery, when I first had the car it was prone to wallow and not very comfortable over our bumpy A roads. I replaced springs and shocks for the RBRR but I went a little too low. The car came with a twin tail pipe exhaust system and that hung below the diff so we grounded out far too much. I replaced the exhaust system, including a tubular manifold, with a single pipe system - it's not too loud but gives a nice note. Over successive trips I tuned the suspension ride height with different thickness spring insulation pads. Ultimately I settled on Koni shocks on the front and uprated lever arms on the back, there are thicker pads top and bottom on the springs. That's the set up that's still on the car today and it's a good all round set-up, pliant and not too hard so it stays comfortable at speed and round town. There have been a few other improvements over the years, the RBRR suggested new halogen lamps and headlight units to improve the night driving experience. When the clutch release bearing was getting noisy, I renewed the complete clutch, I consciously went for the TR4 arrangement without the dowel, this is not as quiet as the TR6 arrangement but with a bronze carrier and no dowel it's far more long lasting - you don't get the wear notch that ruins the carrier. A trip to France in 2017 showed up a failing overdrive, it didn't let us down completely but it was close, I pulled it out and had it rebuilt. That took a little running in but it's good now. A fine crack in the original radiator lead to weird water loss when stood but nothing when used so I put in a new radiator last year. The hood is tight and the windows are clear, being tight it is a bit of a workout to fasten but it does mean that it's as waterproof as any Triumph I've owned. It's very good in even the worst weather. There's a tonneau cover that fits too. The car was restored many years ago, when replacement panels fitted, and its still very good today. It's no concours motor, it's pretty and very useable. There are some cosmetics around the car that could be improved and things to tinker with if you're minded to. Why am I selling? Well, apart from not being able to keep them all, I have been pursuing a Vitesse for a few years now and just recently I managed to buy it - it needs investment and work and therefore I need to release funds and space. The TR6 is tax free and MoT exempt, I have service history from my ownership but very little prior to that. I'm hopeless with dates and realise that the above reads like a story but the order is a little wrong so I'll need to refer to the bills for the detailed chronology if any one's really interested! The advert is here https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1323171 Free cup of tea with any viewing, free biscuit to the buyer! posted Tue 30th Mar 2021 |
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FHC resto nr. 124; Refurbishing facia harness RKC 4348 |
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After taking lots of pictures of the facia loom last weekend, I took my time to carefully check all pictures. And when I was satisfied with the photographic records of the loom I could start with the actual job, starting with the main harness connectors. To remove these I had ordered a set of small connector removal tools. They were cheap and Chinese, and as such poor quality. But they did the job … sort off! With the connector blocks removed, the initial impression of this harness was confirmed. All contacts were in very good condition. Though I gave them all a light polish just in case! After that the wires were cleaned with a rag moistened with petroleum ether. The connector blocks were treated to a hot bath in soapy water and a good scrub using an old tooth brush and a (trumpet) mouth piece brush. Which worked very well. With everything cleaned it was time to put my photographic inventory to the test: adding the wires to the connector blocks. With the pictures on the screen in front of me, that was easy. Plan was to remove the connector blocks for the facia switches next, but the tool decided it was enough. So far for cheap Chinese tools! As the connectors also looked in pretty good condition, I decided to just clean them. Though I might get back to these, once I have some better quality removal tools, which will be ordered soon. Which left me with the removal of the harness’ wrapping tape and inspect and clean the remaining wires. Again no hidden horrors. Left me with the final job, wrapping the loom, using special non sticky PVC tape. A few hours this weekend well spent. posted Sun 14th Mar 2021 |
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Triumph 1300 Parts fiche and Spare Parts Catalogue |
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I have got copies of both the Triumph 1300 Parts fiche and Spare Parts Catalogue,
Download link preview coming soon I have got copies of both the Triumph 1300 Parts fiche and Spare Parts Catalogue,
Preview coming soon Donations to help me with the costs of running my websites would be welcome. A blog post from vitessesteve
posted Sat 13th Mar 2021
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![]() posts: 5741 Netherlands joined on Sun 5th Mar 2006 |
FHC resto nr. 123; An inventory of RKC 4348 |
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Started on refurbishing the wiring harnesses, which I will be using for the ’76 car, today. The plan was to start with one of the smaller harnesses, the facia harness (RKC 4348). Checking and cleaning the connectors and wires, and wrapping the harness with new wiring loom tape. But first I wanted to document all connector blocks. This because the plan is to pull all connector blocks apart to inspect the crimped connectors and to give them a proper clean. And a photographic inventory should help to get all the wires back in their connector block in the correct position. So one of my cameras was put into action to document every connector from various angles. That’s where it went wrong time wise. I had chosen the facia harness to start with, because it is a compact harness. So easy to work on. But despite its compact dimensions, it comes with a lot of connectors and a lot of wires. Which meant a lot of pictures. And by the time I had finished the photo shoot, and selected the pictures for the archive the afternoon had slipped by. But at least I now have a well-documented harness. The various connectors of which can be broken down in three main groups;
The light switch: The heated rear screen switch: The fog light switch: The hazard light switch: A selection of the various connectors for the instrument panel. To start with the low fuel warning unit and the wires that connect to it: The 6 pin instrument panel connector: The 12 pin instrument panel connector: And finally the connectors to plug this harness into the rest of the wiring of this car: Hopefully I’ll be able to start dismantling the harness during the coming week. That’s the advantage of a small loom, I can work on it behind my desk! |
![]() posts: 5741 Netherlands joined on Sun 5th Mar 2006 |
Coolant leak DHC |
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Or preparing the car for the first drive of the year! As the weather forecast for the weekend was very nice, I decided that one of the jobs for the Saturday was a check-up for the DHC. It turned out all fluid levels were OK, though the dip stick might tell a different story. But it is the dip stick from a Dolomite 1850. In the past I checked the exact level by filling the sump with the exact amount of oil. And with this in the sump, the level was halfway between the tip and the low level mark. In other words the oil level was almost at the maximum mark. The coolant level also was nearly at its maximum level. But when I checked for signs of leaks underneath the engine I found a small puddle of coolant sitting on top of the sub frame. As it was sitting right underneath the water pump, that was where I started the search. But the infamous hole was bone dry. The same applied for the other regular leakage point, the connector pipe between the inlet manifold and the water pump cover. Everything was dry there too. Also the joint between the waterpump cover and the block showed no leaks. This only left one option. The top of the hose that goes from the water pump cover to the radiator. And sure enough, there was coolant on the back of this hose back. And on closer inspection I found this originated from the top of the hose. It turned out the jubilee clip pictured above had become a little lose. Quite easy to rectify! The final jobs were topping up the oil in the carburettor dampers and checking the tyre pressures. They were all at about 1,8 bar. So they needed a little extra air, as I run the tyres on this car at 2,0 bar on all four corners. And this afternoon I was able to enjoy a glorious winters day with the hood down. Sadly all photogenic places were cramped with people, so only the one picture as proof. It was nice to be out again in this car, and before I knew it, I was back in the shed with 165 kilometres added to the cars odometer. It was an afternoon well spent indeed! posted Sun 21st Feb 2021 |
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FHC resto nr. 122; Wiring harness entries |
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Last week I made the decision to use the complete late main harness from the parts donor. But that meant the current firewall feed-through opening for the harness needed widening from ø43mm to ø62mm This is to accommodate the larger rubber grommet of the later harness. Should have been easy with a hole saw or a step drill. Sadly I couldn’t use these as the centre for the enlarged hole was offset from the original hole. When I explained this to a friend, he advised me not to mess about and handed me this de-burring drill bit set. Being Saturday, I loaded the tools in the Defender this afternoon, and went to the shed where I braved the cold. Fortunately, the sun was shining brightly and directly through the gate. So despite the outside temperatures being just below zero, the temperatures inside were comfortable enough to work. With all the tools inside the shed I started with moving the sound proofing out of the way and marking the outline of the new hole with a pencil. Sadly the much clearer felt tipped pen decided it didn’t like the cold! Next job was trying out which de-burring bit worked best, after which the fun could begin! Biggest problem I encountered was the fact that I had to use a normal (battery powered) drill. So the rotation speed was on the low side. Resulting in a de-burring bit which was fighting me all the way. But it lost nevertheless. And well within the hour I had a nice large hole to feed the wiring harness through. It isn’t a perfect circle, but that fact will be completely hidden by the overlap of the rubber grommet! I also added an extra hole underneath (as per the later cars) to feed some extra wires into the engine bay. With a good quality step drill that was a job that only took a few minutes. After which the soundproofing could be put back in place (hairdryer came in handy!). But not before an extra hole was added and the iron filings had been removed. |
![]() posts: 2379 Website Administrator Website Moderator Isle of Wight group joined on Mon 16th Oct 2006 |
Halifax UK - Triumph car dealers 105 |
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This short post is about the garages that sold and serviced Standard Triumph vehicles in Halifax, Yorkshire UK. Central Garage (Halifax) LtdIn October 1958 a business called Central Garages (Halifax) Ltd were operating from 89 King Cross Road and were the area distributors for Standard Triumph. Do you know if this business was taken over by H J Car Sales? H J Car SalesLater on H J Cars Sales traded out of the same building as Central Garage (Halifax) Ltd. At the time this photo was taken the firm were also dealing with Singer cars. Boyes Garages (Halifax) LtdBoyes ran several branches I have written about Boyes of Huddefield in a previous post. Hoffmans of HalifaxHoffmans were a chain of garages that sold Rolls Royce motor cars. I have written about Hoffmans of Sheffield in the past. In 1936 a public company was formed to acquire the Provincial Tramways Co[1]. Subsquently that business acquired Hoffmans of Halifax and Hoffmans of Sheffield in 1958. Triumph car dealers in HalifaxTriumph April 1938 March 1974: April 1979: Distributor Plea for informationIf you have any information or recollections about Standard Triumph car dealers in Halifax such as photos of window stickers, dealer badges or sill plates etc please let me know. I can be contacted via the comments to this post or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephen.weblin Further information and sourcesLink to the other articles in this series.Link to facebook page: Triumph Car Dealers. Link to my Triumph Car Dealers Flickr group which includes many photos of Standard Triumph garages etc from my collection and many other contributors . I have a collection of Standard Triumph car dealer directories: http://vitessesteve.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/triumph-car-dealer-directories.html Picture credits: Central Garage photo from httpwww.halifaxpeople.comHistoric-KingCross.html; H J Sales photo posted to facebook. A blog post from vitessesteve
posted Wed 10th Feb 2021
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