LTRG TRipe Mar05

GROUP MEETING – 21 MARCH 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Bowler Kit Car

Reg & Irene Bowler

Derek Bramford

Andrew Burford Herald

John & Chris Day

Martin Faulkner

Alan Fuller TR6

Pete & Lyn Garlick & Daniel Jag

Dick Goodey TR4

Phil Gunn

David Guzzetta

Andy & Jennie Holyoak TR6

Tim Jeffery TR250

John & Margaret Martin

Andy & Claire Moltu TR6

Terry & Sue Pruce TR6

Nigel Rees

Tony & Ruth Richards Stag

Ben & Lisa Ward TR6

Mick Forey

GUESTS: Tim Sharp & Kathryn Morris TR6

Coventry Group Sue & Phil Byewater TR7V8 Peter Lockley Doretti

John Sullivan TR3

MEETING NOTES

Unfortunately I was late for this meeting, as I had to go to the other side of Leicester first to collect some kart related items for a race the next Saturday, so a big thank you to Ruth who stood in for me at short notice tonight. Ruth was the fifth victim to be asked to take the minutes, and the first to give in, so who were the first four I wonder? Thanks Ruth. And if anyone finds any errors in this month’s TRipe, please let Ruth know.

I arrived just as Phil was coming to the end of his official bit, but according to Ruth’s notes I had not missed much as there didn’t seem to be a lot to discuss tonight.

Phil started the meeting by welcoming two potential new members, Tim Sharp & Kathryn Morris who had come over from Nuneaton in their TR6, and also to four members of the Coventry Group. I am sorry to have missed the tyre kicking before the meeting, as the Coventry members brought over three cars not normally seen at a LTRG meeting, a Doretti, a TR3 and a TR7V8. Thanks for bringing them over guys, as well as for coming yourselves, of course.

Phil first reported on our first run out on 3rd April, which was a great day out with 11 cars, something of a record for this event (see last month’s TRipe for a full report) before discussing the following future events:

Thursday 7^th April, Raid on the Trent Group [only Phil, Andy H and myself made this one on quite a cold overcast night].

June 26^th, Tour of Leicestershire. Andy has set the route, approximately 120 miles, calling at 2 to 3 attractions along the way. Meet at Tony & Ruth’s at 09:30.

August 13^th, Wine tasting at the Eglan vineyard, Ash Lane, Bunny at 14:00, followed by a BBQ at Alan & Susan Fuller’s.

Finally there was talk of a Melton Show on 30^th May. Sorry no more details as yet.

There was also circulated a brief note sent by Malayne, to all at the LTRG. For those that may not have been able to see it on the night I have reproduced below.

To all my friends at the TR Club.

Just s short note of thanks for all the cards and messages which you sent. They were very much appreciated. I would very much like to see you all again, but unfortunately this may not be possible – hopefully it will though. I’m very sorry I can’t speak to you on the telephone anymore (at the moment) because I feel too weak and have no energy, but as soon as this changes Paul will let you know.

I now have a wheelchair, a modern zimmer frame, {I never thought I would have one of these before my 86 year old mother) and a hospital bed. I thank you all for the beautiful flowers which were really pretty, I could see them from my hospital bed.

I think of you all often and would love to be back amongst you again.

My best wishes to you all and all my love,

Malayne

MEMBERS CARS:

Whilst this is not a story of a TR, it is the closest we could manage. James was after something a wee bit more exciting to drive around in than a Ford Ka, but after ringing around the respective insurance companies, I could find no one prepared to insure an 18 year old in a TR, even a TR7 (yes I did ask, the insurance companies that is, not James!). Quite how we are supposed to attract younger members into the Register I don’t know, if we can’t even offer them insurance! Even the Register Insurance Company is not interested in under 25’s.

Time to look further afield then. So what to buy? Well it has to have a 6-cylinder engine, and preferably be a Triumph. No contest then, it has to be a GT6. Ringing the TSSC insurers and yes they will insure him – at a price of course! It is not a bad deal in the end though, 3rd party Fire and Theft for the same money as fully comp on a Ford Ka.

Now it gets complicated. Unfortunately James has decided he wants a Mk2, as he prefers the looks of them, but could we find one? - rare as hen’s teeth apparently. After waiting for a couple of months with no success, on the Saturday before the first run out we started ringing around after Mk3s, having given up on the Mk2 idea. Just then we had a slice of luck, as a guy I spoke to some time ago rang me back and left a message whilst we were out on the Sunday of the first run out. When I had spoken to him before it was already sold, but not collected. Luckily I left my number with him because the sale had fallen through and was I still interested? Unfortunately it is an unfinished restoration (I really wanted a complete runner) and it is located in Brighton.

Wednesday 6^th April. Drove down to Brighton with a trailer and bought it. It was not as good as I would have liked, but it was the only Mk2 we have seen that was available for sensible money.

Sunday 10^th April As it is an unfinished restoration project we are now spending lots of our free time trying to get it ready for its MOT. Yesterday was a kart race day, so lots of sorting out, tidying up and putting things away.

23/23th April – away in Cumbria kart racing – don’t ask!.

Bank Holiday Weekend. Stripped, painted and rebuilt the front suspension, with new poly bushes, discs and callipers, and Gaz shocks and uprated springs.

Sunday 8^th May. Relined the back brakes, and replaced the one leaking wheel cylinder. Now just the electrics to sort. All the electrics had all been fitted, but some bits e.g. the indicators, hazards, rear lights, horn etc etc ... don't work! Probably only poor connections, but it does take a lot of time to find them!

Saturday 14^th May – MOT test. Do you want the good news or the bad news? The bad news is it failed. The good news is it got there and back, and it only failed on the few electrical items we already knew about. We had booked the MOT earlier in the week, and although we didn’t have time to fix all the electrical problems, we still wanted to at least drive it and see what else, if anything, was wrong. The day didn’t start out well!. Driving down the road left a trail of smoke, and then calling into the garage just up the road for petrol the engine died and we coasted in. Then leaving Loughborough up Forest road from Nanpanton, I didn’t even think we would make it up the hill as the engine seemed to be losing all power. Crawling over the top of the hill in second gear I was wondering whether to stop, turn round and try and make it home. But then things seemed to improve, the rest of the journey was uneventful. After a few miles the smoke cleared, so I guess it just needed a run to clear it all out. The engine does need a good tune, as it pulls well at low revs but doesn’t want to rev much past 3500. I suspect there will always be something to do on it.

Future plans:

· Fix electrics

· Get MOT

· Get it taxed

· Fix door locks

· Fit interior

· Possibly buy a new bonnet

· Fit straight through sports exhaust – it has to sound loud!

and probably lots and lots more …..

Latest upate: Just checked the compressions. Two were 133 (psi), two 140, one 142 and the lowest one 130. Is that what to expect from a fairly worn engine or should the variation be less? It also has a rocker oil feed kit fitted, does anyone have any experience of these, good or bad?

Update from Massachusetts: Attached is the contribution from Pete and the ongoing story of his rebuild.

CALENDAR FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS:

May
19 Thurs	Group Mtr
June
1 Wed	Raid: Camb Followers
3 Fri – 5 Sun	LTRG Welsh w/e
12 Sun	TR race day, Snetterton
14 Tues	Ashby Folville
16 Thurs	Group Mtr
22 Wed	Raid: CV TR
26 Sun	TR race day, Mallory Park & Tour of Leics
July
2 Sat	TR race day, Oulton Park
9 Sat	LTRG Derbyshire w/e
10 Sun	LTRG Derbyshire w/e
12 Tues	Ashby Folville
13 Wed	Raid: Derby Dales
21 Thurs	Group Mtr
23 Sat & 24 Sun	TR International & Race day, Silverstone

AND FINALLY: International Rules of Manhood

· Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella, unless at the footy, & your pies are getting wet, and then only for the eating period.

· Moaning about the brand of free beer in a mate's fridge is forbidden. However complain at will if the temperature is unsuitable.

· No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man. Even remembering your mate's birthday is strictly optional.

· On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the weakest.

· When stumbling upon other blokes watching a sporting event, you may ask the score of the game in progress, but you may never ask who's playing.

· It is permissible to quaff a fruity alcopop drink only when you're sunning on a tropical beach ....... & it's delivered by a topless supermodel ....... & it's free.

· If a man's fly is down, that's his problem, you didn't see anything.

· Women who claim they "love to watch sports" must be treated as spies until they demonstrate knowledge of the game (can explain offside or LBW) & the ability to drink as much as the other sports watchers.

· Never hesitate to reach for the last beer OR the last slice of pizza, but not both, that's just greedy.

· It is acceptable for you to drive her car. It is not acceptable for her to drive yours [I object to this – Sue].

· Thou shalt not EVER order chicken or a salad. Red meat or go hungry.

· It is law amongst men, that anyone who owns a car with less than six cylinders MUST be ridiculed by friends. Being English is not a valid excuse.

· Real men drive a V8, a real gas guzzler, environment killer. All men who drive any other car, should get their pink skirt and dark glasses on so they aren't recognised.

Next meeting Thursday 19^th April 2004, the Rose & Crown, Tilton on the Hill.

See you there,

Martin & Sue.

APRIL 2005

GROUP MEETING – 21 MARCH 2005