Practically Classics Forum

Toledo Man wrote:.....That was crying out for the original Triumph V8 engine.

I wondered who'd be the first to say that.

Toledo Man wrote:That was crying out for the original Triumph V8 engine.

Yes and no.

"Yes" because the sound that the genuine engine makes is glorious and it's a neat looking engine (with those slimline valve covers).
"No" because the production/restoration team have been careful up to now to make sure that the cars have been done the way the owner would appreciate.

On balance, I think they got it right although I personally would prefer the Triumph V8 under the bonnet (and no louvres). If you changetoo much of the vehicle, it's no longer HIS car, just A car.

ive not seen this, what channel is it on?

Hi Rich.

It's on the National Geographic Channel at 8-00pm on Thursdays. Sky channel 526, well it is on my box.

As you said Richard it was as the owner wanted it or as near as possible. The suspension on the Stag was not original but had fully adjustable coil overs and adjustable track control arms and radius arms. It was adjusted in the workshop to get it to sit right. When it arrived it was all bolted on but loose and not adjusted. I drove it after and it handled and steered ok once set up and went well.

I prefer the Stag engine to the Rover even though the Stag nearly had the Rover engine in when built. It's a shame that the Triumph V8 didn't get a bit more development because it is a gorgeous sounding engine and can be made to go really well. I toyed with the idea of changing the Stromberg carbs for SU's on mine. I'm sure that would have made it go better. I had a mate who worked at SU at the time....er....not as I would have asked him to do anything illegal of course. I modified the relief valve in the power steering to put a bit of feel into the steering because they were a bit over assisted. I know that is not the best way to do it but changing the pump or valving it to drop the pressure may not have had the same result but with a load more work. Shimming the valve tappets was a bit tedious but it would do a lot of miles before needing to be done again.

As I have said there isn't a lot of room under the bonnet for the Rover engine. The chances of finding a good Stag engine at a sensible price if the decision to go back to as built had been made would have swallowed up time and may not have been what the owner wanted.

The owner is delighted that he now has a useable classic modified for him to drive or anybody else thanks to the ingenious pedal set up.

That really is what the programme is about.

Phil

Phil P wrote:The owner is delighted

I think that is all that matters

you cant ask for more than a satisfied customer.

Phil P wrote:The owner is delighted that he now has a useable classic modified for him to drive or anybody else thanks to the ingenious pedal set up.

That really is what the programme is about.

Indeed - that's been clear in each case. I love the slow dawning of "hey - that's my car!"

The question is; have they done any where the person hasn't realised and has had to be told

TerryG wrote:The question is; have they done any where the person hasn't realised and has had to be told

The old boy in the Jeep one didn't recognise the finished vehicle, or so it seemed. The clue was in the glazed expression. Maybe someone though it was funny? Either way he really didn't appear to know which way was up, much less whose Jeep was being driven toward him in the elaborately staged finale.

Hi JPB.

The guy with the jeep is as sharp as a tack! The last time he saw it it was a burnt out wreck and he expected it to be on the 'film set' in the same state. The bit that confused him was seeing his sons driving the GPW on what was supposed to be a film being made. Once he was told what was really happening he was soon up to speed. He knew what was new and what wasn't and was soon telling us about the jeeps history. His best line was sitting in the jeep he said to Tim and Fuzz. "I'm holding on to this in case you buggers take it away again!" After the filming he said. "Some horrible people wrecked my jeep and you think there aren't any nice people around, now you've done this for me it's restored my faith. There really are some nice people about."

I think that falls into the catagory of a satisfied customer.

This week it's the 1926 Austin 12/4. I loved that car, I wish it was mine. I would have made a couple of improvements to it..........a 426 hemi with a torqflite and a '57 Olds back end......sorry! It was gorgeous. Next week it's the 1954 Ford Zephyr Zodiac MKI and the last week (April 11th) is a Lotus Elan S4 coupe.

Phil