2long Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 Wow, this one was interesting to watch for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 WOW! The four headlamp Spitfire rally car must be worth saving. It might be an original works competition car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 It looks appalling but, I bet there is a fair fortune of TRiumphs that could be restored. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony_C Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 Must be an interesting story behind it... In France and the French cars ‘abandoned’ outside whilst the Triumph’s are = were carefully stored inside...?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 That four-headlamp Spitire is certainly not an ex-works car - for by the end of their career all of them had the GT6-shape fastback roof. To me (and I think I count as an 'expert' on those cars), that looks like a good replica/homage bonnet on a very ordinary Spitfire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 22, 2020 Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 You could do that 4 headlight mod to a tr3(a)....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Hogan Posted May 22, 2020 Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 15 hours ago, Graham Robson said: That four-headlamp Spitire is certainly not an ex-works car - for by the end of their career all of them had the GT6-shape fastback roof. To me (and I think I count as an 'expert' on those cars), that looks like a good replica/homage bonnet on a very ordinary Spitfire. I would agree with you Graham, If I remember correctly - and no doubt I will be corrected on this, Ashley mouldings produced fibreglass bonnets for Spitfires along with a rather neat fast back conversion. These fast backs were also made for the Mk4 spit. I can recall seeing ads for them in motor sport mags in the 1960's/70's. hoges. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Hogan Posted May 22, 2020 Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 18 minutes ago, Hamish said: You could do that 4 headlight mod to a tr3(a)....... Yes you could Hamish and a right pigs ear it look too! However, fitting a set of 5 inch driving lamps into the front apron of a TR2/3 where the side lights are would be ok. 3A's would have to have their grilles cut but it has been done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Could be neater! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Clearly a "Two for One" special offer at Halfords in '59. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 What it the small inner screen ? is it to focus the demister warm air? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Its a Head Up Display, clearly Triumph at the forefront again. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 1 hour ago, Hamish said: is it to focus the demister warm air? Nice spot Hamish. An interesting modification if it is. I could've done with one of those last winter! Speaking of interesting mods . . . what's going on here? (Presumedly, it's not to let the cat out.) Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 That's Maurice Gatsonides on the 1959 Tulip Rally - a picture in THE WORKS TRIUMPHS (page 85) confirms the car and its unique lighting arrangement. The Tulip ran in Holland, Germany and France in May, so those scoops ahead of the screen were probably to encourage more cooling air into the cabin, and to keep the engine bay well vented.. By the end of that rally, the central 'Cyclops' driving lamp had been discarded. Hon. Pres. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 18 minutes ago, Graham Robson said: . . . those scoops ahead of the screen were probably to encourage more cooling air into the cabin Thanks Graham. Sorry though, I should've been more specific. I was wondering what's with the letterbox arrangement up front? Haven't seen that before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Gatsonides was quirky to say the least. I think that 'letterbox' was actually connected to the body panel, is clearly hinged at the top, and looks as if it could be folded down to close off the cooling air towards the radiator. Second thoughts, by the way - was this, in fact the 1959 Monte Carlo rally ? I cannot discern the rally plate detail on the bonnet though it's overall shape is Monte-like. Gatso started No. 360 .... ...., Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Looks like there are a couple of spot lights tucked up in there behind the flap all very interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 55 minutes ago, Hamish said: Looks like there are a couple of spot lights tucked up in there behind the flap all very interesting. A clearer pic of the same car. Apparently the flap and the car parted company at some point. Hinges are still there though. (The rally plate and door number confirm Grahams thoughts on it being Gatso in car 360 on the Monte.) Reckon you guessed right about the de-misting, Hamish. Various tricks being employed at the time by the looks of it. The bars on the inside of the windscreen above, also appear in an accessories brochure for the TR3. "Number 4 : Defroster (Windscreen)" Can't say I've seen a pair of those recently . . . or ever! Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DavidBee Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Deggers said: Speaking of interesting mods . . . what's going on here? Also THREE Lucas demisters in cockpit. Two stacked (left), third single (right). But they look beefier than standard. A friend of mine's TR2 had them fitted from new when the car was purchased by his dad, Mr. Lehane, from Liverpool. Also, Degger's clearer photograph shows FOUR spotlights in the cowling, two larger ones, and two fitted at 90 degrees to front of vehicle. Edited May 24, 2020 by DavidBee Addition Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 A further comment on Maurice Gatsonides. As something of a 'superstar', he always insisted on picking up his 'works' TR ahead of the team's departure to an event, so that he could then add his own 'extras' to the specification before the start. Which explains the oddities seen on WVC 247 in the picture above. (Note - alternators were not yet available, so running with all those extra lamps illuminated must have been a very draining experience .... Incidentally, we know that Lucas, to whom the factory was contracted, were not amused .... The other WVC team cars were differently equipped. This 'Gatsonisation factor' was also a very important influence in his sacking from the team a few months later .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Interesting stuff! Thanks Graham. Quite the inventor. I see we also have him to thank for the speed camera. Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 3 hours ago, Deggers said: Interesting stuff! Thanks Graham. Quite the inventor. I see we also have him to thank for the speed camera. Deggers Gone off him a bit now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 54 minutes ago, Hamish said: Gone off him a bit now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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