Gary and Frances Nafziger want to take a long trip and requested a
horror story. Well, its a horror story alright, but with happy ending.
In July 1995 Mary and I set out for the VTR convention in Rockford, IL.
in our 1981 TR8 F.I. I had dragged the car out of a barn in Siler City
in October 1993 and totally restored it. This was its first really long
trip. The first day out we made it to Indianapolis, IN. with no
problems. The only thing that gave us any trouble was the gas
guage--not very accurate when approaching empty. After visiting the
Speedway, we set out on the last leg for Rockford. We stopped in a
little town off I-39 called Oglesby, about 70 miles from Rockford, for a
bathroom break, gas and something to drink. Upon restarting, I noticed
a noise but couldn't locate it. When trying to shift into second it
wouldn't go into gear. Not wanting to get on the interstate with just
first gear, I backed up the ramp, much to the anger of a few folks. We
had picked up a fair amount of speed going backwards and at the top of
the ramp the transmission locked up solid and we came to a screeching
halt. I got the car in 1st gear, turned around and drove down main
street. I was able to get the transmission in 4th and we had a big
decision to make--stop in this little city and try to get a Triumph
transmission repaired, or try to make it another 70 miles to Rockford
where there were Triumph people, but taking the risk of being stranded
on a VERY lonely stretch of Interstate. We went for it and made it.
When we got to Rockford I knew I'd have to change the transmission if we
ever wanted to get home. I got several offers for used transmissions,
but only wanted to do this job once with a transmission that I knew was
good. So I had TRF ship in a new 5-speed, clutch, etc. Tim Buja, a
fellow TR8 owner, TR8CCA member and up to his eyeballs in VTR convention
offered me the use of his garage. I planned to start Sunday morning
after the show. After the awards banquet, a couple that use to be in
our club came up to us and said they wanted to help. I thought they
meant help me change the transmission. They meant trailering my car
home. I/we did, and I ended up changing the transmission in my own
garage. Mary and I will NEVER be able to thank Terry and Cathy Sopher
for hauling our broken car and driving their Spitfire with a newly
rebuilt engine home from Rockford.
When I tore the old transmission down to find out what caused it to
fail, I found it was the fibre gear in the oil pump. But what Mary and
I really found out was that Triumph people are the nicest in the world
and willing to help whenever they can.
As for tools to carry, I had all the tools I needed to change the
transmission out in my little tool box in the boot of the TR8. But the
best tool you can carry for when you break down is MONEY!
After that little episode in '95, Mary wanted to trailer the TR8 to
Albany. My tow vehicle? Our 1979 TR8 Coupe!
Bill Wood
1973 TR6
1979 TR8 Coupe (Pumpkin, alias the tow vehicle--thinks its a Chevy 454
dually pickup)
1981 TR8 F.I. (nicknamed One Way Jose because it gets us their but never
back)
Greensboro, N.C.
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