Sorry for the delay in replying, day off today, Happy Canada Day!
snip:At 07:24 PM 6/29/99 -0400, jack@cocoinc.com wrote:
>Nick, how do you find the time to work on these, unless they are basically
>just sitting there?
Good question. Another one I get asked is "what are you going to do with
them?" I haven't got a full answer to either...yet.
The history of one man's obsession goes something like this:
I'd been interested in Triumphs since high school. I did a grade 11 term
project on the marque. On an impulse, I bought the 76 and ran it for over 8
years as a daily driver. Purchase price was $2,100.00 and it was both the
best and most enjoyable commuter car I've ever had. It was only a question
of time as to when it would rot away, so when the chassis rotted it was
taken off the road because it was unsafe.
I was off work for three months due to a medical problem. Over that time I
got a stripped 74 tub and chassis and slowly transferred everything over.
The activity helped keep me sane (relatively speaking). The project came to
a halt though because it required a floor pan, A post, and bonnet; I have
no welding skills, and limited money to support my Triumph habit. (Anyone
in GVRD good with a welder, I can probably re-pay in parts, or with a BMW
320is that also needs welding?!)
I spotted an ad for two Spits and, lacking self-control and thinking about
getting a bonnet for my project, went and had a look. It turned out that
the owner was under a lot of pressure to get rid of them, and would have
sent them to be crushed if he didn't get what he felt was a reasonable
offer. I couldn't bear the thought of them going to the crusher, and
besides, the bonnets weren't perfect, but were much better than the one I
had. (Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!) One car was complete but not
running with terminal chassis rust; the other chassis was good, tub was
terminal, and lacked interior, engine and ancilliaries. He wanted $1,000.00
but we settled on $450, so I felt good that I had at least saved them from
being crushed. (The count is now up to three). To get one on the road it
needs a clutch, the tub and engine will have to be moved to the parts cars'
chassis. It wasn't running when I got it but thanks to help from the list
it does now.
So I thought that with some work I could have one car for me, and one for
my 18 yr old son to take to college.
Now some of you may be able to relate to this part. In my circle of friends
and co-workers I am thought to be just a little Spitfire-obsessed. An
acquaintance is associated with a charity that get cars donated to them.
They had a Spit donated, so knowing my interest in Spits he asked me to
have a look and give him an idea of possible value. It was pretty
rust-free, but interior was shot, the top was shot, the engine wasn't
running, brake calipers and slaves were seized, master cylinder shot etc.
So with some parts (that I had on hand anyway), lots of time and work I
thought it could be quite good. I gave a reasonable estimate, and also
(because I am indeed Spitfire- afflicted) a cash offer. They accepted. So
after three week-ends and evenings' work and lots of parts I had a Spit
that I thought I could use as a daily driver, at least in the summer. I've
now been driving it for three weeks but can hear a rattle during cold start
up, which I suspect is a bad sign. I suppose I should regret buying it, but
driving a Spitfire to work with the top down is the one sure way to put a
smile on my face on the way TO work, not just on the way home.
As you noted, I can't work on them all at the same time, but I do something
with them pretty much each week-end, and most evenings. Right now I'm
waiting for the glue to dry as I re-veneer a dash-board. Since my medical
problem I can't enjoy drinking beer anymore, so its easy to find time to
work on the Spits.
All things considered, as I tell my wife, I could have a much worse (and
more expensive) hobby. The cars are in the back yard, so the tone of the
neighbourhood isn't ruined, I spend more time at home, and am doing
something I enjoy. None of my cars will be concours (at least until well
after the kids are out of university, and the finances have time to
recover).But, they are being preserved and gradually up-graded, and I hope
you agree, thats a good thing.
To those of you who got this far, thanks for reading my ramble. If you made
it this far, you too may be truly Spitfire afflicted.
Nick
P.S.
snip>By the way I still look at the classifieds every week, but I won't buy
>anymore cars, my wife would kill me, but then again that's what I said after
>I bought the Gt6, and the TR8, and the last 914 ...
>Jack Levy
Me too...
Nick
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Nick Moseley
nmoseley@comsavings.com
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