Darren Sharp

Video of the head coming off 

Wendy’s pics , bits off and boxed up …. So many new bits ! 

Mabel’s engine coming to bits slowly due to other commitments. 

Hi Steve , in the Kent area you are in good company although I’m not sure about local group activity . I used to live in Essex and occasionally came down through the pipe to the local Kent all Triumph group but I think that has now gone. You do have Chris Tickner who has a lovely Mk 3 Spitfire and a Herald nearby and the East Sussex guys are very good . Welcome to the Club! 

Setting up the stand at the Resto show . 

My Thanks to Ashley for finding this new venue for the Annual Dinner . The Kettering Park Hotel (Part of the Daniel Thwaites Group) was a revelation. The welcome was warm , the food was superb , the rooms were, well appointed and quiet . The organisation was smooth and seamless . The Spa and pool area were a welcome addition . Hotel breaks have gotten more expensive in recent times in the UK but this one was worth every penny in my view . I hope that we use this facility again in the future . I was approached by members old and new who were of the same opinion . The RBRR cheque handed over on the night to the Huntington’s Charity was for just over £80000 and the Club that does has done it again! The representatives from the charity were over the moon with the amount raised and were thanked by Tim Bancroft for their support on the event . Tim also thanked the Marshals and the organisers. All in all it was a great event and thank you to everyone that attended. I hope to see you all again in the future. 

Safe Journey to everyone travelling to the Club Dinner in Kettering today . See you all later . 

Love the Raiders .. can’t wait ! 

Hi Mark , if Dave can get anyone to take them to the Club Dinner I can pop them in my car as I’m often down near Pete and could drop them with him . 

Looking closely at some of the pics I note that the car has been uprated to some later period bits and pieces like the later dashboard and the S spec wheels and black PI/ S no plate surround . These parts were not fitted to pre facelift TC cars . The seats are also not standard and look like leather . It’s very nicely done . This does not detract from its value . I hope it stays in the Club,  regards 

Darren 

That looks a lovely car … if only …but price wise you should be looking at around £6500 plus in the real world . 

Looks nice and straight from the Picture Gary , have you been up close ? Overdrive is very desirable on all Triumphs but not essential as it can be added later. 

I’m in ! 

Wendy has made me join West Mids … I’m usually At everything you do as Wendy’s Partner and I will post what we are up to in Lincolnshire and shamelessly plug other Club events like the Drive it day stuff and the CT main events like the RBRR, Border Raiders , 10 Countries Run , Triumph Picnic , Home Counties Rally , Club Dinner and Coast to Coast run . All these are open to all (including members of other Clubs) as long as the main entrant is a Full CT member … so if you are not you can still use your Jalopy as long as there is a CT member in your crew . See you all soon and I’m looking forward to the … Not the Xmas meal again next year . 

Hello mate , lots of us take our Triumphs across the water to France regularly. Of course there are the big events like the 10CR which present a big target but have safety in numbers but there are also members who go solo . I’ve never had a particular issue in France and have driven thousands of miles there . Choose hotels with good car parks off the road and use common sense and an immobiliser like removing the rotor arm when the car is parked up and you are probably at less risk than in the UK as even fewer of the population know what your car is . 

Just when it was going so well ! 
Marmite aka the flying log has developed a terrible shaking . Wheels all run cool and gearbox changes fine . Overdrive works but the whole car snatches on taking up drive and this has developed into a shaking on driving which feels like a failing UJ ( it’s very loud) I put the snatching down to a tired clutch but looks like I’m going to have my work cut out or start getting Olaf ready 

I’ve been busy preparing Marmite with new wheel bearings on the front and new brake drums and shoes at the rear . Also fitted new old stock pads . This has transformed the braking . Luke Johnson helped me by fitting  a new gearbox mount in the week and topping up all the grease points and fluids . Took her for a good drive over the Derbyshire Dales yesterday and everything feels better . The engine is still ticking away and new pushrods , rockers and shaft have not cured the issue so after the RBRR the engine will be coming out for further investigation. Peter Jackson has sourced me an MG 1500 engine in fine fettle and this will replace Marmite’s engine for the foreseeable future until the old one is rebuilt. Also have got the recored radiator back from the rebuilders so that will be fitted with the new engine along with a clutch , water pump etc. busy busy ! 

Hi everyone.. Marmite is an on going project . Down for the RBRR I’ve already replaced on front wheel bearing as it started to chirp on the Border Raiders and caused some head scratching.  The second one is now on way from Chris Witor as close inspection found that the retaining washer is undersized and allows grease to escape . The nut is also a long way down the thread and the split pin is only just retaining the nut so that’s going to be sorted before the round Britain. Purists now cover your eyes as I’ve sourced a replacement engine . It’s a Triumph lump but it’s from an MG!  it’s been bench tested and shows great oil pressure and compression across the board . It’s also not chattering like a demented type writer which the current engine is . Having changed the valve gear and pushrods. I’m pretty convinced it’s cam and follower related . Although it runs well it’s done 74000 miles and is in need of some love! 

Hi everyone. My good friend Peter Tyler has an interesting project for sale . It’s a Burlington SS kit car with GT6 running gear . The Engine is superb and you could eat your dinner off the chassis . The car needs paint as the pictures flatter it a bit . It has no weather gear and is fitted with aero screens although it does have a flat screen . There are no wipers ! It can all be fitted of course as he still has the build manual . The car is in Boston Lincs .

if you fancy being Toad .. ah ha Motor cars the thing ! It may be up your street! It has a straight through exhaust with a motor cycle trumpet and sounds like thunder ! He realises it falls between stalls as it’s registered Historic as a GT 6 and would like £1500 .. worth more than that for the engine and Rotoflex Chassis alone . 
phone no if you are interested he does not want to put it on eBay ! 

Hi all just heard from the organiser can anyone attending pay me (Darren) on the day . Cash would be much easier . It’s £10 per head and this allows full access to the museum and other attractions at the show) . Please be on site for 9.45 am . We are expecting a flypast again this year from the Lancaster and Spitfires (and/ or Hurricane) I’ve also seen the Dakota is flying again so we may get that as well. Looking forward to seeing you all .

Darren 

Dear Buttercup 

Dont worry there’s no serious off roading (unless you want to get a picture) but the routemeister general (señor Mick ) does find some great roads that you would never find on your own . There will be plenty of Spifires including Mr Charlton . Look out for a very yellow Dolomite (Me and Wendy) running in convoy with a couple of gorgeous Red Spitfires ( a Mk 3 and a Mk 4 ) a beautiful Mk1 2000 saloon and a lovely TR 4A we may also have another yellow Dolomite in tow if we are joined by the great couple from the last run . 

Considering a change of vehicle for the 2023 event . What do you reckon …. Give the flying log now known as Marmite  a go at No 6 or Olaf his 4th go round ? 

I’ll try and get some scenic pictures of Olaf and Marmite over the weekend …. No point in getting them both wet ! 

Our cars are not renowned for being particularly waterproof so as it was chucking it down today preventing polishing or external fettling I’ve spent the one day off for the car testing it’s weatherproofness  ( is that a word?) . All seems well after a drive out ( filled it to the brim to check the new petrol sender - all good) . Wipers, washers, blower, heater all working perfectly. Heated rear window …. Nah but you can’t have everything can you , most importantly it’s dry inside with no leaks from the replacement screen rubbers and drain holes are clear . I’d forgotten how easy the Dolomite is to drive with excellent rack and pinion and its multi link suspension that was ahead of its time back when Ford were using Burman Worm and gear steering . Sticky throttle banished by fitting a powerful return spring linked onto an  exhaust bracket ala Spitfire 1500 . No longer have to lift the throttle after every manoeuvre. Very chuffed with how Marmite has turned out .