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Triumph TR2
by realscamp
Hi , welcome to my review on the triumph TR range in particular the TR2/3, basically the cars share the same body and are only slightly different.
My cars are a 1959 TR3a which i re-imported into the UK a couple of years ago, and a UK TR3 in need of a full restoration.
The TR3 followed the TR2 but had a few extra bits like door ... handles and boot handle, there is also a full width grill.
The TR3a was the first production car to be fitted with disc brakes, the TR2 using drum brakes all round, for this reason and the improved engine specification i feel it makes a better car on the road in modern traffic, although brakes and running gear can be uprated quite easily for later spec items. Engines are of long stroke with a fair amount of torque not fast like a modern car but enough for a bit of fun on a twisty road !
Going back many years my first TR was a TR4a IRS (i was 21) and when going to my local club fell in love with these bare bones sports cars with cheeky looks, that was 24 years ago now and it took me until 2 years ago to realise this dream.
Insurance is cheap and overall running costs quite low, a simple design which anyone capable of reading a haynes manual would be able to keep running , no ECU's or complex electronics here!
Its difficult to remain objective when it comes to these cars, try as i might i can't think of much negative about ownership, it puts a smile on my face everytime i sit in it.
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Triumph Spitfire/GT6
by realscamp
Hi welcome to my review of the Triumph Spitfire.
I love these little cars ! My first spitfire was purchased in 1980, a mk111 .
After replacing the outer, inner and baffle sills, the rear wings, front wings and a tidy up i drove the car for many years. ( i still have it in my back garden waiting for its second revamp !) yes i ... have owned this car since i was sixteen , and still have it .(thats 29 years)
I have worked on , owned many spits since , and have enjoyed them enormously, exciting, with character not like the bland cars on offer today.
If you think you want one of these little gems , be careful , running one is cheap , good economy and bits are readily available, but if it is in need of restoration there can be much to do , bear in mind the age of the car.
Once in good road going order i feel they are fine to drive in modern traffic , indeed i do whenever i can, top down at the first glimpse of sun.
Best for road use would be from the mk111 thats about 1969 on, overdrive is always nice if you can find one.
Things to look out for ;
chassis damage , look down the car , does everything line up ? does the track look right ?
rust , thats floors, wings , inner wings , sills inner and outer, bootlids and bonnets are expensive if needed.
engines are simple and cheap to repair
check for drive shaft wear and universal joints which can dry up and become rough.
interiors can get tatty quickly , not helped by the soft top that can catch the seats when being lowered and raised, not to expensive to sort though
most parts are available and alot can be sourced from ebay etc
If you would like one , dont be put off , just be aware of what you are looking at , what it will need if anything and take someone with you to look , its easy to be blinded by how cute they are ! too many times i have had to buy one just to see it get some attention lol
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Triumph 2000/2500
by rich_home1
I bought my 1968 MK1 2000 in april 2001, it was my first car, I loved the shape of them since I was a kid so I jumped at the chance to buy one. Its conifer green with red interior, it is a manual with overdrive so it goes well. Its not immaculate but looks smart and will keep up with modern cars. For a 34 year old car it is very ... comfortable and handles well. The boot is large and has managed to carry many things since i've had it including a camping geer for me and two friends. Although the steering is quite heavy at low speeds it is really responsive on twisty A roads where it is in its element. You can cruise along at 50mph, overtaking does not require any kind of gear change, you can scare the odd BMW and Mercedes driver with its rapidness.
Since I bought it I have had a couple of problems with it. I have needed to replace the clutch slave cylinder, the engine mounts, some heater components and a couple of headlights. Other than that its always been reliable. I started it the other day after not starting it for 5 weeks, the engine didn't even turn once before it fired, it spluttered for 5 seconds and then was fine.
I am now trying to sell it as I am going to Uni, but I will be sad to see it go. If I had the time and money i'd strip it down, put a Rover 3.5 V8 under the bonnet and spray it a beutiful dark metalic blue. ahhh well maybe one day.
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