I purchased a new TR6 frame from Tony Viglioti at Ratco for a future
project. I figured that while they were being made, I would purchase
one and put it away for the day when my frame needs replacing or if I
decide to build a modified TR6. I took the ferry from Bridgeport, CT to
Port Jefferson, LI with my GMC truck to pick it up yesterday . His
facility is modern and super clean. Tony gave my wife and I the tour of
his shop, where he explained the use of the CNC plasma cutter and the
welding jigs for the various TR frames. He said it's taken him 2 years
to make all the Cad drawing for the various TR frames and is still
tweaking things. He was also hosting a tech day for his Triumph club,
and a number of TR6's , a spitfire and his own TR250 were already
inside. His club is the one that was slicing a TR6 down the middle and
widening the car by 6". The car is tucked away in his shop too, and he
says it will be finished this year.
I have to say the frame he made me, is real work of art. The Frame
welding is first rate, and with the foam filling and black powder
coating, it's almost a shame to put it under a car. There are slight
differences from the original, so it's not for a concourse car, but it's
the hot ticket for a Modified, fast road, or race car. Usually he sets
the frame up for coil over springs and shocks, but I wanted to stay with
levers, so he modified mine, so that I can go either way. He also
usually moves the engine bay cross bar further forward for fan belt
clearance. Mine also has a removable lower cruciform section which
should really make exhaust installation easier. He will pretty much set
it up any way that you require. Tony also mentioned that the frame will
lower the ride height by I believe 3/8" He mentioned that the frame
will be much stiffer than the stock frame and therefore will ride
stiffer, but handle with much more consistency . If anyone is
interested, I have a few pictures I can send. I have no financial
interest. I just think Tony is a class act who is incredibly passionate
about the Triumph hobby and is a perfectionist when it comes to the
products he produces. John Mitchell 76 TR6
www.rat-co.com
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