What a great history to your Vitesse "Bess", and your views to how you keep it on the road and in a condition that your friend would have approved. Well done , Bob
I worked as an apprentice mechanic for a Triumph dealer from 68 to 76 and one particular Trumph Vitesse which I went to collect from Anglesey has remained as one of the most enjoyable and memorable cars that I've ever driven. Like this one it was a Mk2 convertible, H Reg, with overdrive, but was in a Midnight blue colour and had a broad white stripe down the sides just below the stainless steel strip and the swage on the door. That 6 cylinder engine with overdrive just drove like a dream.
She is beautiful. Brings back memories of my Mk 2 Spitfire '66 . I still love that car even though I had to get rid of it in '80. I would love to find and old girl like her but... You know how your friend had problems, same here. Getting one would just be the start, let alone restoring it! Anyway thanks for the drive and the memories it evoked, so much so that i've sub'd to you, see you later....PS.glad to see you had or maybe she came with, the bonnet locks, that definitely reminded me of my Spit, she had the same. Something of a security addition, much to my peace of mind!
Having a catch-up with A County For Old Cars this evening - such a treat!! Good to see Bess back on the road. Love the detailed analysis of her modifications.
Michelotti apparently thought that the Spitfire was his greatest design. For me it's the Triumph Herald Coupe which is his purest design. Wonderful talent.
thanks for lovely Video . `76 to `78 ,i had a 1970 2 litre Mk 2 Saloon (still rememeber Reg no !!- YYF8H ) - was great to drive as a GT , & all i know about car repairs/maintenqnce was from my Dad on that car !!
You are so right. The 50s and 60s represent an era of the best examples of stunning Italian artistry from Pinin Farina to Michelotti: cars, women's dresses, men's suits and even Olivetti typewriters! I think of that era as the second Italian renaissance. I wish it was still with us.
While we're talking, Sean - I had no trouble with the gearbox on my Mk2. Where I did have a problem, however, on both my Vitesse and later with my Triumph Chicane (2500TC) was with wear to the engine's rocker shaft. With each car I found the valve clearances would go out of correct adjustment in a very short period of time and this was remedied by fitting a new rocker shaft. Speaking of modifying Herald-derived cars, have you looked at the Fanatik Builds channel here on YT? A very witty and likeable Canadian father and son team doing all sorts of unlikely things to a GT6! Lastly, may I communicate my great respect concerning your approach to running and preserving your late friend's 'Bess'. Best wishes, Colin.
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Colin. I will definitely look at the father and son channel which sounds just up my street. It is so interesting to hear your Triumph experience. I always learn so much from other enthusiasts. On Tess when I first got her the rocker gaps were always an issue. That turned out to be a previous owner installing a hot camshaft but applying the factory tappet gaps... One lunched camshaft!
Interesting that your car has gained or kept a few of the earlier Triumph lettering and badging… the 1968 Triumph sports revisions to the Gt6, Vitesse and TR5 / TR250 had uprated mechanicals as you say but also modernised styling with reduced chrome, more satin black in the cockpit and wheeltrims, and the deletion of the old Triumph blue and white badges that have reappeared on yours - plus the smart cream and black model badging for each car….
Well observed John, previous owners have added the earlier badges. Clearly they liked the earlier badges. It is fascinating to see how much these things meant to her previous owners. 😀
@@seanhumfrey I would still change the big Minilite wheels off the car regardless of who thought they were an improvement…. maybe some later Spitfire or GT6 wheels with sensible tyres would be a good compromise ?
I like that colour, it reminds me of Gunmetal Grey. You can get better rear trim panels, and a more correct tan carpet from Paddocks, (made by Newton Commercial in Leiston, Suffolk), but cheaper from Paddocks! Do try and get an original Steering wheel, they are so much nicer! (Oh and please say Hi to David Aspinall for me)
Hi Leon. Newton Commercial are just 5 minutes from me and I went to their open day this year. Fascinating company with fabulous products. I would love the original steering wheel, but so hard to find a really good one. I have my eyes peeled. David currently has my 67 2 Litre in his workshop so I will definitely pass on your best wishes when I collect it. Thank you so much for all your support on Facebook. I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend. 🙏
Gearbox sounds good, interested to know where you got it, and if the overdrive had any work at the same time? The gearbox definitely has a hard time in the vitesse, mine still holding on after 138k (yes its noisy and could benefit from a refresh). Those SUs do look a bit small ? and I think the passenger seat is definitely from a Herald, but I can appreciate the dilemma about making any changes to what still feels like your friend's car, just trust your instincts on that one!
Great comment 👍 the gearbox was exchanged by Anglian Triumph Services in Ditchingham, overdrive was not changed. The SUs are a mystery, but standby for another video on them as they are about to be rebuilt!
@@seanhumfreyI look forward to the SU rebuild, be interesting to see what size/model they are. That extra horn button is a bit weird, I've got a motolita wheel and the central horn push works fine, but maybe the wrong boss has been fitted which doesn't support the "pencil" like horn push?
I have a TR6 Overdrive Gearbox in my Vitesse, very minimal cutting required.
What a great history to your Vitesse "Bess", and your views to how you keep it on the road and in a condition that your friend would have approved. Well done , Bob
Thank you Bob 😀
@@seanhumfrey 'Hey, Bob! Have you got Bob's torque wrench, Bob? No, Bob's got it!'
I worked as an apprentice mechanic for a Triumph dealer from 68 to 76 and one particular Trumph Vitesse which I went to collect from Anglesey has remained as one of the most enjoyable and memorable cars that I've ever driven. Like this one it was a Mk2 convertible, H Reg, with overdrive, but was in a Midnight blue colour and had a broad white stripe down the sides just below the stainless steel strip and the swage on the door. That 6 cylinder engine with overdrive just drove like a dream.
Wow, what a great time to be an apprentice mechanic. So many pretty cars in that era and when Triumph was at its zenith. ♥️
A great pleasure watching this lovely video. Thank you
Thank you so much Michael for your lovely comment.
She is beautiful. Brings back memories of my Mk 2 Spitfire '66 . I still love that car even though I had to get rid of it in '80. I would love to find and old girl like her but... You know how your friend had problems, same here. Getting one would just be the start, let alone restoring it! Anyway thanks for the drive and the memories it evoked, so much so that i've sub'd to you, see you later....PS.glad to see you had or maybe she came with, the bonnet locks, that definitely reminded me of my Spit, she had the same. Something of a security addition, much to my peace of mind!
@@ianmckay1780 thank you so much for your lovely comment, and for subscribing.
Having a catch-up with A County For Old Cars this evening - such a treat!! Good to see Bess back on the road. Love the detailed analysis of her modifications.
Thanks Tim for such a lovely comment. New video just released this evening with Bess.
This is a fine masterpiece. Designed by a master sculpturer from Italy .
Michelotti apparently thought that the Spitfire was his greatest design. For me it's the Triumph Herald Coupe which is his purest design. Wonderful talent.
thanks for lovely Video . `76 to `78 ,i had a 1970 2 litre Mk 2 Saloon (still rememeber Reg no !!- YYF8H ) - was great to drive as a GT , & all i know about car repairs/maintenqnce was from my Dad on that car !!
Nice video Sean, it was interesting to get a tour of Bess and learn of her history, thank you
Thank you Mike. So glad you enjoyed this. 😀
Back in the 70s , I’ve been into a Vitesse. Very beautiful car , well engineered , that is because it is Italian 🇮🇹 design .
You are so right. The 50s and 60s represent an era of the best examples of stunning Italian artistry from Pinin Farina to Michelotti: cars, women's dresses, men's suits and even Olivetti typewriters! I think of that era as the second Italian renaissance. I wish it was still with us.
A fine car and a heartfelt story 🥰
Such a lovely comment, thank you. 🙏
While we're talking, Sean - I had no trouble with the gearbox on my Mk2. Where I did have a problem, however, on both my Vitesse and later with my Triumph Chicane (2500TC) was with wear to the engine's rocker shaft. With each car I found the valve clearances would go out of correct adjustment in a very short period of time and this was remedied by fitting a new rocker shaft. Speaking of modifying Herald-derived cars, have you looked at the Fanatik Builds channel here on YT? A very witty and likeable Canadian father and son team doing all sorts of unlikely things to a GT6! Lastly, may I communicate my great respect concerning your approach to running and preserving your late friend's 'Bess'. Best wishes, Colin.
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Colin. I will definitely look at the father and son channel which sounds just up my street. It is so interesting to hear your Triumph experience. I always learn so much from other enthusiasts. On Tess when I first got her the rocker gaps were always an issue. That turned out to be a previous owner installing a hot camshaft but applying the factory tappet gaps... One lunched camshaft!
great video keeps me motivated to finish my herald
So glad Adrian , can't wait to see your Herald 👍
great car sir
Thank you so much Robin. 😀
The colour looks like triumph valentine blu often seen on 1360 heralds and triumph 1300 fwds
She found a soft place to fall Tony , we are all just custodians. Enjoy then pass it on.....
Lovely comment, thank you 😀
Interesting that your car has gained or kept a few of the earlier Triumph lettering and badging… the 1968 Triumph sports revisions to the Gt6, Vitesse and TR5 / TR250 had uprated mechanicals as you say but also modernised styling with reduced chrome, more satin black in the cockpit and wheeltrims, and the deletion of the old Triumph blue and white badges that have reappeared on yours - plus the smart cream and black model badging for each car….
Well observed John, previous owners have added the earlier badges. Clearly they liked the earlier badges. It is fascinating to see how much these things meant to her previous owners. 😀
@@seanhumfrey I would still change the big Minilite wheels off the car regardless of who thought they were an improvement…. maybe some later Spitfire or GT6 wheels with sensible tyres would be a good compromise ?
I like that colour, it reminds me of Gunmetal Grey. You can get better rear trim panels, and a more correct tan carpet from Paddocks, (made by Newton Commercial in Leiston, Suffolk), but cheaper from Paddocks! Do try and get an original Steering wheel, they are so much nicer! (Oh and please say Hi to David Aspinall for me)
Hi Leon. Newton Commercial are just 5 minutes from me and I went to their open day this year. Fascinating company with fabulous products. I would love the original steering wheel, but so hard to find a really good one. I have my eyes peeled. David currently has my 67 2 Litre in his workshop so I will definitely pass on your best wishes when I collect it. Thank you so much for all your support on Facebook. I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend. 🙏
I'm sure David could find you a steering wheel@@seanhumfrey
Gearbox sounds good, interested to know where you got it, and if the overdrive had any work at the same time? The gearbox definitely has a hard time in the vitesse, mine still holding on after 138k (yes its noisy and could benefit from a refresh). Those SUs do look a bit small ? and I think the passenger seat is definitely from a Herald, but I can appreciate the dilemma about making any changes to what still feels like your friend's car, just trust your instincts on that one!
Great comment 👍 the gearbox was exchanged by Anglian Triumph Services in Ditchingham, overdrive was not changed. The SUs are a mystery, but standby for another video on them as they are about to be rebuilt!
@@seanhumfreyI look forward to the SU rebuild, be interesting to see what size/model they are. That extra horn button is a bit weird, I've got a motolita wheel and the central horn push works fine, but maybe the wrong boss has been fitted which doesn't support the "pencil" like horn push?
Nice, this is what we call in the States "a light resto mod"...can be put back to stock, but why? Enjoy her!
Great comment James, thank you 👍
You can never have too many Triumphs. 😂😂
🤣🤣🤣Quite right John!