C130 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Hi all, first Triumph ownership experience for me so could do with some pointers in respect to part suppliers (breakers and new) and a bit of an attack plan as I haven't restored a car in a while so any tips from anyone who has recently undertaken a full restoration would be welcome. Current ideas for restoration is to modify the car with modern running gear and double wishbone suspension on the rear. But this is miles off yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegt6 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Welcome onboard...Could do with bit more info on the current state of your new acquisition - Is it a basket case....or just a bit tired etc...Recently put mine back on the road after body-off resto (still not finished, but on the road) - This was my first 'full' nut and bolt project, and one thing above all that I learnt, was DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY until the very end (oh, and that I actually don't know everything 😀)Also, take lots of pics before/during/after etc..And on here.....well, everything from normal to nutty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Thanks! Should keep me busy for a few evenings!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Moore Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Looks pretty presentable already! Rust on a white car often looks worse than it is - would it need much work to get back on the road in standard form before you start modifying it? I ask for two reasons - firstly, it'll give you an idea of what you think needs changing and what's fine as standard, and second, if you extensively modify it as part of a ground-up restoration, a straightforward job will turn into a years-long and seemingly never-ending rebuild. Ask me how I know...As for modifying options... if it has rotoflex rear suspension, then it already has a pseudo double wishbone setup. The leaf spring doubles as an upper wishbone, and the camber change is much less than with swing spring cars. And they handle OK too.The Triumph engine can be modernised with electronic fuel injection and ignition, as well as tweaked to give as much power as most people need. Have a look at the 'Dipped in Green Glass' thread to see what I've done. Likewise, the gearbox can be replaced with a stronger 5-speed, and there are a couple of options to strengthen or replace the diff.Whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 There is a huge amount of work involved with the tub- it is rotten! Somebody has started to upgrade it- stainless flexis, suspension rebuild, even came with a brand new set of interior coverings. I have my heart set on plumbing a modern motor and running gear in due to the fact that a simple rebuild of the straight 6 would cost more than the donor vehicle. That's before I have rebuilt the carbs and even looked at modifying with a better cam, 2.5 crank, uprated diff and CV conversion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Time will tell as the rebuild goes on! I may just want to keep it standard- the noise is sublime!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegt6 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 That doesn't look 'rotten' - panel gaps look good, door shut lines seem pretty good too....also bumpers look very good.Obviously, photos can be deceiving, but it does look like a lot of 'surface' stuff - my guess its either been outside fully covered in a tarp or something (condensation is the enemy), or stored in a shed with open sides.All the small chassis triumphs are simple machines - meaning there is very little to break down / go wrong and kept tip-top with minimal routine stuff.Of course one can upgrade/modernise/etc.. til you've spent all your money and then some more Check out gt6ls1.com for a rather nice 'upgrade' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 The pics are very generous!! I will get some close-ups over the coming days. Unfortunately a house rebuild is taking priority Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubce Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Good god that is the first time I have seen a towbar fitted to a GT6. Have fun with the resto.RegardsBruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbanger Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 looks sweet.Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallyspit Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Quoted from stevegt6 Of course one can upgrade/modernise/etc.. til you've spent all your money and then some more Check out gt6ls1.com for a rather nice 'upgrade' It's actually ls1gt6.com but well worth a look. Thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don cook1 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Where are you? Might be worthwhile finding your local area meetings.We love photos here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 I am in Plymouth. I tried looking in the local part of the forum for some meets but it doesn't look like there is any?? Posting some new pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegt6 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Quoted from Rallyspit It's actually ls1gt6.com but well worth a look. Thanks for the link. Ooops....my badAh, close up photos - They do show a bit of work to be done.....enough to keep you occupied 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch82 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 be prepared to be shocked when you take your screen out! That's what mine looked like initially, just thought it was a bit of scab, turned out to be a non existant corner 🤔 same on the other side too. + water will have got into the a post and possible eaten into that to... But look on the bright side you will know your car will be solid with no hidden nasties when you fix it! keep the pics coming 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Couple of Joey questions: is the GT6 door the same as a Spitfire MK4? And which are the best autojumbles to get along to? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMPUS Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Quoted from C130 Couple of Joey questions: is the GT6 door the same as a Spitfire MK4? And which are the best autojumbles to get along to? Thanks GT6 mk3 door is the same as a MKIV & 1500 door 🙂But you got a quaterlight on the gt6 that you need to transfer then to the spitfire door (holes already there). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennygoodman Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I had a bit of trouble swapping a GT6 door and a MK1v door because the slot that the glass goes in is slightly narrower in the mk1v door which made fitting the new rubber seals a bit harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Bit of badly repaird accident damage. Poorly repaired and paint about 1.5mm thick. Found out it used to be Saffron which is a nice surprise as I wasn't too keen on the white. If I lift the body with these sills, is the shell likely to distort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C130 Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byakk0 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 brace accross the doors and you should be good. Be sure the doors fit properly first-good door gap all around, ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I notice that you have the rear shockers located at the top on the original mounts, often called cheeses as they look like a triangular section of cheese. Have a good look at the these mounts and the surrounding inner wheel arch area. They can rot out and as there are 3 skins of metal at this point it is awkward/difficult to see corrosion. The 3 skins are inner wheel arch, strengthening plate and suspension mount.It is possible to buy the triangular sections and in my opinion well worth replacing as the longer travel shocker units give a better ride.Good luck with the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sx2visuvesi Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 I noticed in you other thread about fitting the RX8 rear subframe etc to the GT6 so I have some questionsHow will you overcome the few inches of track as the RX8 is wider?Will you use the RX8 6Spd Gearbox as well?The reason I ask is that we are planning to put a rotary (N/A 12B from a S1 RX7) in our next spitfire project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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