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 Post subject: Project Vitesse
PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:57 pm 
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We have recently bought this 1968/69 Triumph Vitesse MK2,2.0 Saloon in what I think is Valencia blue (don't go off bonnet as its an add on) to be restored.

This is a mega, mega resto and I think the work I have done on the Tc will give me the confidence and the skill to complete. When she finally come's home I will take some more pics. She is still sitting in the same place as what she was when I took the pic.

Short story of her history to what I know, Jim was owned by the same chap for some time and then rescued by a guy who restored her, he let his daughter drive it soon after it was restored and then she had a prang and damaged the front end, which has bent the front of the chassis. After the prang they guy that restored her decided to let her sit there until it was one day collected by a Club Triumph member.

The Club Triumph member then used Jim as a parts car until I met him a few months ago and immediately fell in love with it. A deal was done soon after and I'm very pleased with the price I paid.

At the moment in between buying bits for my Tc, if I see a bargain then I try and buy it if it's a part I need. Craig (beefertoo) has kindly donated an 1850 gearbox.
And the quest for other parts continue.

What we hope to do is to be able to use Jim as an all weather car, where we can take the saloon roof off in the summer months, were undecided on whether to do a complete change and turn him into a convertible, use a tristan kit (very RARE) or have a hoop made that would enable us to use the saloon roof, but also to try and make a quick release system to do that.

Pic ( some of you may have seen her in my TC thread)

Image

The name Jim was picked as my father in law sadly passed away about 4 weeks ago after a short illness, and he liked the Vitesse as soon as he saw the pic, he never got the chance to see her in the flesh. So my wife asked if I could do it in his memory.

Many Thanks

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


Last edited by DazasDolly on Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:07 pm 
Quote:
The name Jim was picked as my father in law sadly passed away about 4 weeks ago after a short illness, and he liked the Vitesse as soon as he saw the pic, he never got the chance to see her in the flesh. So my wife asked if I could do it in his memory.
Lovely sentiment. 8)

Shall watch the progress on this one with interest.


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:15 pm 
Being a Vitesse owner myself, and having restored mine from a similar condition to that of yours, I know I'm going to really enjoy reading this Restoration story :D


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:01 pm 
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Just waiting for it to come, can't wait to see it ready to be restored. And get that engine running.

And buying lots of parts that have been taken from it over the years.

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:16 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Not too easy to tell from the pic but the bonnet looks to be Valencia (not its original colour from the darker blue rim at the o/s inner headlamp fitting) and the body appears a darker and less green shade, not sure what it could be, the car is too late for Royal blue and too early (I think) for Sapphire. I'll have to go and check my colour charts now, its bugging me! Good luck with the project, as a serial Vitesse restorer myself I almost envy you (but only almost as I have sufficient challenges on the go at the moment lol!) Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:01 pm 
Good luck with this mate. I love these cars, and I'm now jealous :)


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:13 pm 
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Hi There

Thanks for the quotes gents it's appreciated.

I've just drove the 400 yards to Colin, bloody weather making me drive, and took some pics of the Vitesse to give you an idea of the work to come, also picked up the documents and history that has come with the car. She was actually last MOT'd in 1982 in North London.

She was registered on 11/12/1968 and only has 3 former keepers last is Colin so I will be the 4th.

Anyway some pics as promised

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Its a real shame you can't see how bad the boot floor is as the new floor pans are in the way.

All the best

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


Last edited by DazasDolly on Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Aye............
PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:19 pm 
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Location: Caithness, Scotland
You have taken on a real challenge :shock:, Darren .

I have never worked on a separate chassis car and for that reason I am particularly interested to see how you do with this car.

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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:24 pm 
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Hello Ian

It's probably easier that working on our cars.

I'm not going to touch the old chassis as I have already bought a refurbed one that was on ebay a few months ago. That is down in Devon and just waiting for a few courier friends to get a job down that way and then they will collect it for me.

Also looking to buy a rear tub at some point, the bulkhead looks ok apart from some rot on the drivers side, on the pillar. but as I found with my TC looks are nothing until you start digging.

I think the biggest challenge is going to be making some sort of quick release roof for the good weather. And putting enough support for the sides to stop rattling.

Lets hope the TC will be a bit more straight forward from now until finish.

Many Thanks

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:32 pm 
Quote:
.....I have never worked on a separate chassis car and for that reason I am particularly interested to see how you do with this car.
I have, and for that reason so am I. 8) Darren, first thing to do before you start cutting and grinding would be to brace the shell so that it's strong enough to survive being lifted off. Then the chassis will be visible in all its glory and rebuilding such substantial bits of steelwork is a walk in the park after the comparatively delicate fabrication work you've had to do on the 1500 so far.

Work on the chassis should be carried out on a flat surface where you can take accurate measurements but it's all thick steel and you can move it to get to any part of it provided no distortion is introduced.

You'll manage just fine, they're far easier than a monocoque to restore properly. :wink:


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:21 pm 
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Well sorry I have been away for a while.

As you are aware I recently bought a Chassis for the Vitesse (March), this will be delivered this week and I will post pic's once it has arrived from Devon.

Also 2 Weeks ago I was on ebay and noticed that somebody had started breaking a Herald, they had put it on a couple of time's and it never sold (500 quid start), Rolling chassis with no wheels :woohoo: .

Any way a deal was done and the end of this week or beginning of next I will be collecting the new tub that has had all the work done on it and fully wax oiled. Shame it's in red and white. Pics will follow once I get it home.

Many Thanks

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:39 pm 
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Well it's been a while since I last updated, the chassis I bought in March finally made an appearance on Thursday last week. Also bought a rear tub. While the dolly has been a bit of a chore, it was nice to work outside for a change. Also my wife want's me to get rid of bit's I don't need so the garden doesn't look to much like a triumph graveyard :lol: .

So on Sunday I started stripping the Vitesse down. I think Colin shook most of the loose rust out when he bought the car down a few weeks ago.

Still lot's more parts to buy. Just finding the things you need at the right price.

Pics:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

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All advice tips etc gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


Last edited by DazasDolly on Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:16 pm 
Hmmm big boys Airfix! :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:49 pm 
easy!!!! nearly finnished........ :D


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 Post subject: Re: Project Vitesse-JIM
PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:56 am 
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Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
HMMMM! Hey Darren, are you really sure you want to show everyone just how little of the original car is surviving your ministrations? Perhaps as it's not actually a Dolly you will be spared the righteous indignation and cries of "ringer" which so recently greeted that poor Sprint! Having done several of these myself, I'm on your side and my views on identity are well known but you may come in for some stick elsewhere!

Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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