garyf

Clive I will bear that in mind if I end up purchasing the 47K car and I need an O/D Box. Thanks

I had an hybrid Dolomite type gearbox with the 'J' Type Overdrive and the larger mainshaft tip in my last Vitesse, this was installed and built up by one of the previous owners who I know well in the 1980's using a lot of N.O.S. Parts, that also had the 20 spline TR7 (I think) Clutch plate. I'm hoping to find a decent low mileage one owner original Vitesse already fitted with Overdrive (A rare beast these day, are there any left?) I have got another one to view over Christmas hopefully, a Mk2 Convertible in White with a Black interior 47K miles from new, with M.O.T's to prove and only 3 owners from new, but again this is a none overdrive car (I believe most Vitesse's 80% didn't come with overdrive) I'll keep you posted how I get on. Gary

Yes, that didn't take long at all? It was the best one I had viewed too😞

So it would be a new Clutch too then if I went for the 'J' Type Overdrive, how much do you think for the Parts? As I see it I would need the following Items:- 1. New Over-drive Main shaft 2. Second hand Over-drive Unit ('J' Type or 'D' Type) and possibly an additional costs to check/re-condition it 3. Overdrive Adaptor plate to Gearbox 4. Gearbox/Over-drive Gasket Set 5. Overdrive Chassis Mounting Plate 6. Rear Over-drive Gearbox type Rubber Mounting 7. Inhibitor Switch and Gearbox mounting plate 8. Wiring Loom extension 9. 6RA Relay ('D' Type only) 10. Over-drive switch and Cowl 11. New 20 Spline Clutch Plate (If 'J' Type is fitted) Have I missed anything? How much for that lot these days, £2K sounds about right to me and I would still have to remove and replace it all😞 I suppose you can still drive the car without Over-drive but they are revving to high at motorway speeds Gary

It is an excellent example, I viewed the car a fortnight ago, but it was in the dark, no over-drive fitted though. I had hoped to view it again in the light, the owner did mention he had been made an offer by a dealer for the car but I wasn't prepared to match it and told him I would need to view again in the light with a mate the following weekend. He must have been desperate to sell hence it is now for sale at the dealer. How much these days for the parts to convert to Over-drive, I'm guessing around £1,500 to £2,000, that's if you can find all the parts? Gary

Now up for sale at a dealer? https://www.robinlawton.com/cars/1969-triumph-vitesse-2-litre-mark-2-convertible?page=vintage-classic-cars-for-sale&pg=1

This Youtube Link is for a Tr door I reckon but the principals are the same. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjsy9-J-PqCAxUlWkEAHZkXCoA4ChC3AnoECA4QAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DHmpNgJOA9Mk&usg=AOvVaw3KW9ToIwETsFErRo2aw4JY&opi=89978449 You will need to make a tool as shown to hold and fit the clips Good luck Gary

It is a very nice example, not without a few issues though, but if I do become the new custodian hopefully I can sort them out. Ideally I wanted to talk to the previous owner who did the restoration, but don't hold out much hope of tracing him😞

I wondered if anyone may know details on any Previous owners of this Vitesse which is for sale and I recently viewed? I'm seriously considering purchasing it but would like to talk to the previous owner (Peter Green maybe) regarding its restoration and previous history. Gary

Most spring have 4 of the thrust buttons per side (8 In total) The leaves (Leaf's?) fitted with them have a slight recess to accept them I've read some people use Deralin material instead of the original rubber, supposedly harder wearing? Regards Gary

I thought that too!😁 Also, if its been repaired will it fit (probably not). Always a risk but there can't be many N.O.S. Vitesse bonnets our there these days. Gary

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155692652829?hash=item244001591d:g:dKIAAOSwGrZkOvRd&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0ESqgdKv1ResN%2FSVDZaEHysV9L51ssyoVh9qZxQIAPlBxXvzpGxq4oxnIlj%2FkYUUrEXtK0CJdc1IkfPpKYZJYgSOo7tlVxdswnxwl9A2fQrNiC%2F8VZg%2BG03%2B1RAPLfDploZvwIlSCB4PEcg6u%2FrsYiUsFh%2FYl8QAS15UyiSHbKVI8oCBF8zINA0E2dhB3lKuUQ1uzlC0jw3llz0Gfex1lA4cNyJD%2BZvtYYZ5VBbStrAZQ7GF%2B9jLcFpmjcvVTNpHJ2zeuB%2BUDEBUmDahIf2iC9w%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7LYwoLMYg

Cheers Gary

I'm not sure if I like it or not t.b.h. Did they get inspiration from this record breaker maybe?

Yes, not sure if the fronts have been remanufactured as yet? The rears have and the chrome is reportedly poor. They do turn up on E-Bay occasionally Gary

Thanks, yes true on all accounts!! The interior was re-trimmed using one of the Newton Commercial kits and the woodwork refurbished by Chapman & Cliff I sold the car in 2015 to help finance the purchase of a TR5, that was sold on in 2018 to fund my current Classic The Vitesse now resides in Gloucestershire and I keep in touch on a regular basis with the current owner Regards

Well done indeed! As far as I'm aware the 13/60 Convertible ones are exactly the same as Vitesse, a black thickly padded finish like these on my old Vitesse They should fit straight in. Gary

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think you'll struggle to find any, they are like the proverbial Rocking Horse Poop! I've contacted Newton Commercial in the past about them remanufacturing some, but apparently the tooling costs are to expensive for the potential return. I've heard of people fitting MX5 ones, this may be the way to go Gary

On my old Mk2 Vitesse which is also fitted with the central control binnacle, I reckon it's the outer two (Choke & Heater Control) which the 'U' Brackets fit behind. Regards Gary

I purchased a full interior re-trim kit for my Vitesse during it's restoration between 2002 and 2007, I think I got the best price via Canley Classics for the Newton Commercial re-trim kit & Moulded carpets, although James paddock where near on the same price too. The carpets are an excellent fit (Especially around the gearbox tunnel and front footwells) due to being moulded to the correct shape I fitted additional heat resisting silver type reflective material to the underside of the Gearbox tunnel, rivetted and glued in place. I also fitted stick on bitumen type sound deadening to the outside of the tunnel and all footwells, I believe a material called Dynamat is also a popular choice with people. Not sure how much effect the sound deadening had, but it must help and the heat resisting materials certainly helped with the heat problem. Here's a photo Gary

They look even nicer when re-trimmed to suit a Shadow Blue Interior😁

Newton Commercial do re-trim kits for MGF Seats, not cheap but they will make them look like new when fitted? Not sure how much second hand MGF Seats fetch these days, I picked up a pair up of late 1990's ones for £34 on E-Bay about 15 years ago but those prices are probably long gone now? There seems to be loads of different types, certainly the earlier ones (Pre 2000) suit the existing Vitesse Interior Are your seats this style?

I'm 5'8 and had the seats more or less as far back as they would go, what's the Secret Nick?

I fitted some early MGF Seats to my old Vitesse, they are very comfortable, much more supportive and safer with the headrests, I had mine recovered in Shadow blue to match the rest of my interior and they matched in well. Like Nick states you cannot recline them when fitted to the convertible and if your over 6 foot tall they probably won't go back far enough either, not to difficult to fit with the use of some suitable sized steel, nuts and bolt, I used some Shallow profile 41x21mm Unistrut type channel and fittings to fit them in my car. The MX5 Ones fit better, look ok and recline Regards Gary

Hi Ray New ones are available here, although it may be better to Purchase via Canley Classics or James Paddocks for a better price? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjl447wkKv6AhWTRsAKHbQ4ABgQFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewtoncomm.co.uk%2Fcollections%2Fherald&usg=AOvVaw1L3uqlyUJz8WYwyBjXd6yH Regards