My understanding (and it's been a while since I read up on this) is that
the very first cars had many parts from the TR250 production, including the
rear wing beads. My car (CC25317) was built in April 1968 as the "new"
introduction model that would be unveiled at the dealership (in my car's
case, Dallas, TX) prior to the arrival of the regular cars. As such, the
earliest cars have more 250 in them than the regular, later, model year
run. I can't remember the details, but the rear wing beads were only used
on a few hundred cars.
My car, as bought in 91, had the chrome rocker cover, silver painted air
filter box and body-colored windshield surround. The rocker cover and
body-colored windshield surround are original to the car (according to
research from prior owners..I'm the 4th owner), but I can't vouch for the
air filter box.
Since motor vehicle registration procedures were a little more lax and/or
dealers wanted to sell late 1969 cars, later 1969 cars would be "updated"
by the dealers with 1970 wheels and black-painted windshield surround to
move them on out the door...I've heard that from old Triumph dealers and
shop mechanics, as well as the tidbit that dealers would swap interiors in
the shop if someone wanted, say, a red car with a tan interior and the
dealer only had a red car with a black interior (but also had another color
car with a tan interior)....presto...dealer has found the right car.
_________________________cut________________________
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 16:02:31 -0500
From: "James Franks" <jimmble@adelphia.net>
Subject: Re: Early cars
I am only speculating here (disclaimer) ;^)
I expect the factory used up the last of the chrome covers on some early
6's after deciding to change. It would most likely be nearly impossible
to pin down an exact stop/start point. I wouldn't take off points for
either one on a 69 TR6 if I was judging. I would not expect to see one
on any other years as original though. Those factory photos are a big
help Derek!
IMHO Jim
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Derek Graham" <Derek.Graham@ukgateway.net>
To: "Rex Townsend" <rrt@connectexpress.com>; "6pack@autox.net"
<6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 2:56 PM
Subject: RE: Early cars
> Rex,
> I have a Triumph factory photograph dated 20/12/68 showing the engine
bay of
> CC27025-LO and this shows a silver painted valve cover with a silver
painted
> air cleaner. It does also show the striped radiator and heated
manifold
> hoses as well. Hope that this helps.
>
> Derek graham
> CP54529-O
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of Rex Townsend
> Sent: 30 January 2002 05:11
> To: 6 Pack
> Subject: Early cars
>
> I am curious when the early TR6s changed from the chrome valve cover
with
> black air cleaner to the silver/gray painted valve cover and air
cleaner.
> My 1969 is comission # CC26713L and has most all of the items peculiar
to
> the early cars such as the painted beading between the rear fenders
and the
> rear deck, the body color painted windscreen frame, the folding
headrest
> seats, the non-locking ignition switch, the hinged magnetic fuel cap,
and
> the chromed hinges on the glove box door (altho it does NOT have a
finger
> pull!). The car also originally had 5.5" wide wheels with Rostyle
wheel
> covers. However, even though it still has the original engine
#CC26719HE,
> when I acquired the car nine years ago it had the painted silver valve
cover
> and air cleaner. The valve cover is the earliest style with more ribs
and
> raised areas than the later covers, and the air cleaner is definitely
the
> early style. I'm curious whether other 1969's have the painted or
chrome
> valve covers.
>
> Rex Townsend
William Whitmoyer
69 TR6
90 BMW iX
91 CRX Si
|