--===============0093375941639970183==
boundary=Apple-Mail-CF54470D-758B-49E2-877A-845660382E8A
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
--Apple-Mail-CF54470D-758B-49E2-877A-845660382E8A
charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Thank you Dave for your contribution. Much appreciated.
Just two things.
1. Executives sitting in air-conditioned offices in Coventry. Maybe today, b=
ut not fifty plus years ago. You either sweated profusely in your mandatory s=
uit or you froze in your mandatory. Keeping employees comfortable was never o=
n the managerial agenda. In Export Sales, we were next door to gearbox heat t=
reatment and that was where everyone went when it was cold.
2. Accent aigu and English speakers finding it difficult to do - or whatever=
? In MS Word and many other programs, Toolbar> Insert>Symbol will give you a=
ny accent you want for most global languages. I use that facility all the ti=
me.
Jonmac
> On 27 Feb 2026, at 14:12, DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey@cs.com> wrote:
>=20
> Well, since I was specifically named, I feel I have license to respond. M=
aybe I was singled out because it was I who penned the subset of concours gu=
idelines covering the modified classes. Perhaps it is thought that I am a b=
ig proponent of the whole operation.
>=20
> This article is a well rendered version of a point of view regarding Conco=
urs d'Elegance among many that are out there. It is a point of view with wh=
ich I am in complete agreement, by the way. But one of the things that make=
s our hobby healthy and the supply of spare parts flowing is the broad appea=
l to the many people with diverse goals in pursuing this hobby.
>=20
> There are those who pursue the "As delivered by the dealer" perspective as=
stated by the VTR Concours manual. (It might be noted here that the VTR co=
ncours guidelines also states that the car is to be judged as in its conditi=
on when it left home for the convention meaning anything that happens en rou=
te or during the event will be overlooked. This includes any misfortunate e=
ncounters with the calling cards of any local mutton on the hoof. This is t=
o encourage owners to actually drive the cars although the effectiveness of t=
his missive is in question, at least by me.
>=20
> Then there are the over-restorers you see detailing the overload of chrome=
under the bonnet with a toothbrush. At VTR we do not punish then for overd=
oing the quality of paint but nor do we reward this activity, either. There=
is an old adage concerning a silk purse and a sow's ear that may or may not=
apply here. I'll let you decide.
>=20
> Then there are the ones who actually drive their cars. They keep them wel=
l maintained and looking nice but have made significant modifications making=
the cars more suitable for use in modern traffic situations. These modific=
ations may include electric radiator fans that will allow the cars to surviv=
e modern traffic conditions without belching out a serious amount of coolant=
. These are the ones who WILL drive to events eschewing trailers. They enj=
oy first and foremost the driving experience. It is this group that motivat=
ed me to write up the guidelines for the modified touring classes. =20
>=20
> Then there are the wannabe automotive engineers (that's me). I'm not taki=
ng anything away from the boffins in Coventry back in the day. Those heroes=
had an ominous task of making a competitive car using the technology availa=
ble at the time and to the budget set by those clueless executives in the ai=
r conditioned offices. But, as owners of the cars we are not limited by any=
such budgets. We can spend as much money improving this cars as we wish (o=
r as much as She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed will allow). Also, time marches on. It=
is a fact that in the technology fields we are all standing on the shoulder=
s of those who come before us. Technology has progressed much since those d=
ays. Alternators perform much better than the dynamos of old but these only=
became possible with the advent of solid-state rectifiers in the mid 60's. =
They were not an option or even a dream for those building the TR3. But on=
e can fit an alternator to one's TR3 which will power the electric fan that w=
ill keep the coolant in the engine during that slo-mo 4th of July parade tha=
t progresses at a brisk 3 MPH. A consideration dismissed by upper managemen=
t as unlikely. We wannabes view these cars as a starting point and we feel t=
hat without the restrictive budgets and with the new technological advances w=
e can add our own personal touch to these cars while, at the same time, make=
the car more reliable, easier to maintain and possibly perform better. It i=
s for this group that I penned the Modified performance guidelines. Origina=
lity be damned, lets consider materials and workmanship. There are some rea=
lly clever craftsmen out there making changes to their cars and they should b=
e celebrated. =20
>=20
> As for me, I did a ground-up restoration on a TR3. It took more than 10 y=
ears and I spent more than the car was worth. When I was done I had a prett=
y pristine car which showed well. But I was afraid to drive it. I didn't w=
ant to scratch the paint or wear out the leather seats. It was fun going th=
rough the process and I got a few trophies, but in the end, I didn't enjoy i=
t as much as I enjoy my TR6 and TR8, both of which are rather blemished but d=
rive very well, thank you very much. So I sold the TR3 as I needed the gara=
ge space anyway.
>=20
> But I support the Concours d'Elegance as a whole because I am a big-tent k=
ind of guy. What ever floats your boat, after all. The more people pursuin=
g the hobby will make the supply of spare parts more healthy. As you well k=
now, Concours d'Elegance is a french phrase that translates into Competition=
of Excellence. As you say, these cars never were "excellent." Perhaps we s=
hould change the name to Concours d'Originalt=C3=A9 or Concours de Fidelit=C3=
=A9. But then most English speakers don't know how to type an E-accent-aigu=
. C'est la vie.
>=20
> There are may other aspects that add to or detract from the driving experi=
ence. Most of these cannot be judged on the show field. Things like ride q=
uality, exhaust note, seating comfort and other aspects that can only be jud=
ged whilst driving the car in various scenarios. This is not practicable (p=
ractical in US English) in our context. But I thought that maybe we could h=
ave an exhaust note contest. We set up a panel of judges next to a stretch o=
f road and let competitors drive by demonstrating how the exhaust sounds und=
er varying conditions. If course there would be bias towards 4 cylinder vs 6=
cylinder but we could have classes for each. Could be fun.
>=20
> Anyway, this missive is way too long as it is so I will stop here.
>=20
> As always, I enjoy you writings and treasure them all.
>=20
> Dave
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> On Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:07:37 AM CST, JOHN MACARTNEY <johnbma=
cartney@gmx.com> wrote:
>=20
>=20
> I trust it doesn't offend - Dave Massey in particular:) Light-heartedness h=
as to prevail in this much troubled world.
> =20
> Jonmac
> ** triumphs@autox.team.net **
>=20
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs http://www.team.net/archi=
ve
>=20
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/dave1ma=
ssey@cs.com
--Apple-Mail-CF54470D-758B-49E2-877A-845660382E8A
charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3D=
utf-8"></head><body dir=3D"auto"><div dir=3D"ltr"></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Tha=
nk you Dave for your contribution. Much appreciated.</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><=
br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Just two things.</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><=
div dir=3D"ltr">1. Executives sitting in air-conditioned offices in Coventry=
. Maybe today, but not fifty plus years ago. You either sweated profusely in=
your mandatory suit or you froze in your mandatory. Keeping employees comfo=
rtable was never on the managerial agenda. In Export Sales, we were next doo=
r to gearbox heat treatment and that was where everyone went when it was col=
d.</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">2. Accent aigu and Engli=
sh speakers finding it difficult to do - or whatever? In MS Word and many ot=
her programs, Toolbar> Insert>Symbol will give you any accent you want=
for most global languages. I use that facility all the time.</div><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">Jonmac</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br>On 27 Feb 2=
026, at 14:12, DAVID MASSEY <<a href=3D"mailto:dave1massey@cs.com";>dave1m=
assey@cs.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type=3D"cite"><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><div class=3D"ydpf130c49eyahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"font-family:Arial,=
Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D=
"false">Well, since I was specifically named, I feel I have license to respo=
nd. Maybe I was singled out because it was I who penned the subset of c=
oncours guidelines covering the modified classes. Perhaps it is though=
t that I am a big proponent of the whole operation.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" da=
ta-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">This ar=
ticle is a well rendered version of a point of view regarding Concours d'Ele=
gance among many that are out there. It is a point of view with which I=
am in complete agreement, by the way. But one of the things that make=
s our hobby healthy and the supply of spare parts flowing is the broad appea=
l to the many people with diverse goals in pursuing this hobby.</div><div di=
r=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"fa=
lse">There are those who pursue the "As delivered by the dealer" perspective=
as stated by the VTR Concours manual. (It might be noted here that th=
e VTR concours guidelines also states that the car is to be judged as in its=
condition when it left home for the convention meaning anything that happen=
s en route or during the event will be overlooked. This includes any m=
isfortunate encounters with the calling cards of any local mutton on the hoo=
f. This is to encourage owners to actually drive the cars although the=
effectiveness of this missive is in question, at least by me.</div><div dir=
=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"fal=
se">Then there are the over-restorers you see detailing the overload of chro=
me under the bonnet with a toothbrush. At VTR we do not punish then fo=
r overdoing the quality of paint but nor do we reward this activity, either.=
There is an old adage concerning a silk purse and a sow's ear that ma=
y or may not apply here. I'll let you decide.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" da=
ta-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Then th=
ere are the ones who actually drive their cars. They keep them well ma=
intained and looking nice but have made significant modifications making the=
cars more suitable for use in modern traffic situations. These modifi=
cations may include electric radiator fans that will allow the cars to survi=
ve modern traffic conditions without belching out a serious amount of coolan=
t. These are the ones who WILL drive to events eschewing trailers.&nbs=
p; They enjoy first and foremost the driving experience. It is this gr=
oup that motivated me to write up the guidelines for the modified touring cl=
asses. </div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Then there are the wannabe automotive en=
gineers (that's me). I'm not taking anything away from the boffins in C=
oventry back in the day. Those heroes had an ominous task of making a c=
ompetitive car using the technology available at the time and to the budget s=
et by those clueless executives in the air conditioned offices. But, a=
s owners of the cars we are not limited by any such budgets. We can sp=
end as much money improving this cars as we wish (or as much as She-Who-Must=
-Be-Obeyed will allow). Also, time marches on. It is a fact that=
in the technology fields we are all standing on the shoulders of those who c=
ome before us. Technology has progressed much since those days. A=
lternators perform much better than the dynamos of old but these only became=
possible with the advent of solid-state rectifiers in the mid 60's. T=
hey were not an option or even a dream for those building the TR3. But=
one can fit an alternator to one's TR3 which will power the electric fan th=
at will keep the coolant in the engine during that slo-mo 4th of July parade=
that progresses at a brisk 3 MPH. A consideration dismissed by upper m=
anagement as unlikely. We wannabes view these cars as a starting point=
and we feel that without the restrictive budgets and with the new technolog=
ical advances we can add our own personal touch to these cars while, at the s=
ame time, make the car more reliable, easier to maintain and possibly perfor=
m better. It is for this group that I penned the Modified performance g=
uidelines. Originality be damned, lets consider materials and workmans=
hip. There are some really clever craftsmen out there making changes t=
o their cars and they should be celebrated. </div><div dir=3D"ltr=
" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">As f=
or me, I did a ground-up restoration on a TR3. It took more than 10 ye=
ars and I spent more than the car was worth. When I was done I had a p=
retty pristine car which showed well. But I was afraid to drive it.&nb=
sp; I didn't want to scratch the paint or wear out the leather seats. I=
t was fun going through the process and I got a few trophies, but in the end=
, I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy my TR6 and TR8, both of which are rat=
her blemished but drive very well, thank you very much. So I sold the T=
R3 as I needed the garage space anyway.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D=
"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">But I support the C=
oncours d'Elegance as a whole because I am a big-tent kind of guy. Wha=
t ever floats your boat, after all. The more people pursuing the hobby=
will make the supply of spare parts more healthy. As you well know,&n=
bsp;<span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><i>Concours d'Elegance</i> is a=
french phrase that translates into</span><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.=
32px;"> </span><i style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;">Competition of Exc=
ellence.</i><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"> As you say, thes=
e cars never were "excellent." Perhaps we should change the name to <i=
>Concours d'Originalt=C3=A9</i> or <i style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0=
); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacin=
g: -0.32px;">Concours de Fidelit=C3=A9. </i><span style=3D"color: rgb(=
0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter=
-spacing: -0.32px;">But then most English speakers don't know how to type an=
E-accent-aigu. C'est la vie.</span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data=
-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"co=
lor: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16p=
x; letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-s=
etdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"colo=
r: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;=
letter-spacing: -0.32px;">There are may other aspects that add to or detrac=
t from the driving experience. Most of these cannot be judged on the s=
how field. Things like ride quality, exhaust note, seating comfort and=
other aspects that can only be judged whilst driving the car in various sce=
narios. This is not practicable (practical in US English) in our conte=
xt. But I thought that maybe we could have an exhaust note contest.&nb=
sp; We set up a panel of judges next to a stretch of road and let competitor=
s drive by demonstrating how the exhaust sounds under varying conditions.&nb=
sp; If course there would be bias towards 4 cylinder vs 6 cylinder but we co=
uld have classes for each. Could be fun.</span></span></div><div dir=3D=
"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span s=
tyle=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font=
-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"l=
tr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span sty=
le=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-s=
ize: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">Anyway, this missive is way too long as=
it is so I will stop here.</span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D=
"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0=
, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-=
spacing: -0.32px;"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"f=
alse"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0=
, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spa=
cing: -0.32px;">As always, I enjoy you writings and treasure them all.</span=
></span></div><div><div><br></div><div class=3D"ydpf130c49esignature"><div s=
tyle=3D"font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12pt; line-=
height: normal;"><div style=3D"font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;"><div><font size=3D"4">Dave<br></font=
></div><div><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif;"><br></=
span></div><br></div></div></div></div><div><br style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.=
32px;"></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div></div><div><br=
></div>
=20
</div><div id=3D"ydp649b235yahoo_quoted_2991296314" class=3D"ydp649b=
235yahoo_quoted"><div class=3D"ydp649b235yahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"font-fam=
ily:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">
<div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sa=
ns-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
=20
<div class=3D"ydp649b235quoted-text-header">
On Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:07:37 AM CST, J=
OHN MACARTNEY <<a href=3D"mailto:johnbmacartney@gmx.com";>johnbmacartney@g=
mx.com</a>> wrote:
</div>
</div><div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica,=
Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;border-left: 1px solid #ccc;=
padding-left: 8px;margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px" class=3D"ydp649b235inline_reply_q=
uote_container" data-split-quote-node=3D"true">
<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<div><div id=3D"ydp649b235yiv4174689060"><div><div style=3D"=
font-family:Verdana;font-size:12.0px;"><div>I trust it doesn't offend - Dave=
Massey in particular:) Light-heartedness has to prevail in this much troubl=
ed world.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Jonmac</div></div></div></div>** <a href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team.=
net" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a> **<br><b=
r>Donate: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html"; rel=3D"nofollow" targe=
t=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Archive: <a href=3D"http=
://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http:=
//www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs</a> <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/a=
rchive" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/archive</a><b=
r><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/t=
riumphs/dave1massey@cs.com" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.=
team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/dave1massey@cs.com</a><br></div>
</div>
</div></div></div></blockquote></body></html>=
--Apple-Mail-CF54470D-758B-49E2-877A-845660382E8A--
--===============0093375941639970183==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline
** triumphs@autox.team.net **
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs http://www.team.net/archive
--===============0093375941639970183==--
|