Member’s Report – Mid Week Lunch Run

By Rick Wade

July’s mid-week lunch run was shaping up as a TR5 owners get together with the Dobles, Blytons and Wades settling in for lunch at the Injoy Cafe at Gold Creek.  We agreed it was probably a bit too far for the Blacks to travel for a day trip.  We were then joined by Anthony Ockwell and I reckon two TR4s is probably a match for one TR5!

Anyhow, we all enjoyed a good chat over lunch with much of the conversation focused on cycling as both Max and Anthony are still active cyclists.  It was interesting to hear how bike technology has advanced over recent years with the cost of a top of the line road bike matching what we’re paying for our Triumph sports cars!

All in all another enjoyable mid week interlude.

Member’s Report – All British Day at Wakefield Park

By Jack Gault

Once again the annual trip to Goulburn’s Wakefield Park was held in true British weather - very cold and windy, but at least with no rain.  We met at Supercheap Queanbeyan, John Armarego’s TR7V8 was most impressive, showing off his hours of detail work, whereas I took the easy way and drove the Swedish TR.

We were flagged away by a slightly diseased President who wisely went home to bed.  On arrival at Wakefield we found the North’s over from Cootamundra together with a friend, and later Paul and Tessa Burke turned up to view the races.

The All Triumph race had about 15 starters and the Mini’s may have had a few more.  Overall numbers were down this year, but it was easier to chat in the pits to everyone. Once again a fun day out maybe next year it will be warmer!!  

Cheers, Jack Gault.



John's impressive V8



"Killer Glass" radiator hose insert







Eye candy at Wakefield - GT40 and Bolwell Nagari




John Armarego & Jack Gault



 

Member’s Report – Tidbinbilla Lunch Run

By John McMaster

After wishing Jan a pleasant ride, I tried to fire up the Dolly for the run to the Moon Rock Café at Tidbinbilla Tracking Station, and failed!  Problem number 1.  I suppose after 7 years of infrequent use and multiple re-charges it’s not surprising that the battery wasn’t at its best!  I considered push starting – not a good idea on your own and while the car’s still on the grass; running the Focus over to jump start (possibility of not re-starting) and even running the electric charger out and risk being late!  None of these options were particularly appealing, so I decided to give the TR6 a run.  I’m not proud to admit that this would be the ‘6’s first run for the year and the first since December 7 last! 

After rolling the ‘6 out of the garage, checking tyre pressures, fluid levels and if any Red Backs were still in residence, I finally managed to coax her into life.  While I was under the bonnet, I thought I’d turn the heater tap on rather than use the cable from inside the cabin which is a pain in the b*tt.  Problem number 2.  I was quite surprised at the amount of fluid that decided to immediately escape once I’d turned the tap on!  Needless to say, it was just as quickly turned off.  [Note to self – get a new heater tap].

So having realised that I wasn’t going to have any warmth in the cabin, I decided to put the roof up.  I know, there wasn’t any rain and it really is a no – no to drive a soft top with the roof up unless it is raining, but I’m getting too old!  Problem number 3.  My roof hasn’t been up in over a year (more likely 2) and being about 1 degree, it didn’t want to stretch enough to allow me to clip it in.  Another brain wave – use some hot water to heat it up to stretch it – great idea when you have a less than water proof car!  Problem number 4.  Get a couple of towels to dry the seat before getting a wet b*tt.

Eventually, the ‘6, with me warm and cosy inside the now sealed cabin, rolled into the meeting place, almost on time, where I was joined by Daryl, Rick and Dave, representing almost the full range of the TR series (only missing out on a 2 or 3), with Frank in the Stag and Chris in a modern.  A quick coffee and a chat about the route – over Uriarra or straight out, and off we went, with me leading – Problem number 5.  Look at street signs and follow the right road!  By not following this simple advice lead me into the new suburb of Molonglo, followed of course, by the convoy.  More discussion about which road should get us back on track and eventually we made it!

I had forgotten what a great thing 3^rd overdrive is – especially on the nice twisty bits out of the Cotter.  It was a pleasure to be behind the wheel of the ‘6 again and it’s something that I’ve promised myself more of. 

Moon Rock Café provided us all with reasonable food, at a reasonable price and looked after us very well.  A pleasant venue with enough to keep everyone interested.  An uneventful trip home through Point Hut Crossing ended a very nice afternoon.

SEPTEMBER PRESENTATION

Following our AGM in September, John Armarego will provide a presentation on after market fuel injection and computers as fitted to his highly modified TR8 and to other Triumphs.  John is a long time member of the Club and has a wealth of experience in Triumph modifications, particularly the Rover/Leyland V8's.  John's current TR8 is capable of in excess of 500 bhp which John admits is a little too much!  

This promises to be an entertaining and educational presentation that you shouldn't miss.  

AGM will be at 7.30 followed by John's presentation and the September general meeting, at the Deakin Sports Club, Grose Street, Deakin.  All welcome.   

  

AUGUST MEETING

Come to our August general meeting for a presentation from David Snape, representing IAG Insurance and find out all those interesting things that make up our premiums, who IAG represent and their future growth areas.  Meet at the Deakin Sports Club, Grose Street Deakin at 7.30pm where David will give his presentation prior to our general meeting.  All welcome

Triumphs in Brisbane

by Chris Doble

Dianne and I have just returned from a driving trip to Brisbane where we spent a lovely three weeks with our daughter Rachel.  Our sight-seeing included, The Mummy Exhibition, the South Bank, Brisy River, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

I was sitting in my shorts and T shirt watching the Block on TV.  The temperature was 10 degrees and I noted the temp back in Canberra was minus six with I suspect an even greater chill factor that was not mentioned.  Somewhat bored with the TV I was pondering what to do with tomorrows “freedom day” because Rachel was going to work and Dianne needed a rest from the travel.  An idea popped into my head.

Greg Tunstall Mechanical has advertised quite a lot in our magazine and has done quite a number of jobs for our club members.  On the Thursday, I gate-crashed the Greg Tunstall Mechanical Workshop in Cleveland which is about 30 K south of Brisy CBD.  I had no particular agenda, -just was curious to see what was happening in his Triumph world.

Here is Greg Tunstall.  We had a lovely discussion about various Triumphs of interest including my TR5 and Max’s TR5.  Being so rare Greg was surprised when I boasted our club has four TR5s.  Greg invited me back on the following Monday to have a ride in a client’s TR5 that he has been adjusting and fine tuning the Lucas fuel injection on.

When I arrived back after the weekend I had to wait while the apprentice washed the car.  While I was waiting a mechanic in the workshop commented that it is very difficult to see where any more money could be spent to improve this particular car.  Greg put the value of the car at over $100,000 and reckoned close on that if not more had been spent on it.  He didn’t say if that amount of money was spent with him and I didn’t ask.

Some of the specs I remember were: Bored out to 2.7 litres, Nissan E3 pistons, secret weapon- Greg Tunstall designed cam shaft, overhead throttle linkages, rewired with modern relays and fuse panels and up rated alternator.

The Bosch fuel pump was hidden under the left rear guard which allowed for extra cooling.  An obvious additional advantage of this placement is the reduction of fuel fumes in the boot.  The fuel pump had an extras heat-sink arrangement to help keep the fuel cool. Greg had built a close ratio gear box and fitted it to the overdrive.  Datsun half shafts had been added to a limited slip diff. The suspension had been lowered by an inch and rear telescopic shockers had been fitted.  Wheels were a bit wider at 205-65-15.  Brakes were larger vented disks.

Creature comforts included a customised fully integrated air conditioner, head rests added to the original bucket seats and pump-up lumbar supports.  As a passenger I can attest that the car drove and handled quite well.  Obviously being a customer’s car it was not driven near the limit of its capabilities.  The experience and above description does demonstrate what can be done if the resources are made available to the task.

Here is a photo of Dave Rogers’s TR6 metering unit ready for bench testing the flow rates.

Greg did tell me that he has been researching ways of combining modern electronic engine management systems with the Lucas fuel injection.  A challenge he is looking at is how to reduce fuel supply at the lower rev range for street cars as distinct from high volume setups for racing cars.

Here is a photo of an electric power steering unit for a Stag.  Greg said that it could be adapted to fit any English car and that it can be a lot cheaper option than fitting hydraulic power steering.

From Greg Tunstall’s I went to nearby Rabe Beach from where the ferries proceed to Stradbroke Island.  A strong sea breeze was blowing and the sea was really rough.  The sea gulls didn’t seem to mind the weather they just kept flying in squabbling over my lunch (fish and chips I tossed onto the beach) and flying out.  I put a jumper on over my T shirt I think the temp was about 15 degrees by now being mid-afternoon.  I spared a thought for those folk back in Canberra.  Now I’m home.  Hay we’ve passed the winter solstice and are travelling back towards the sun.  Things should only get warmer – I hope so and soon.

Member’s Report – Mid Week Lunch Runs

By Rick Wade

Mid Week Lunch Runs – May & June

Three white Stags and a nice deep blue TR4 departed the National Dinosaur Museum car park for a smooth trip along the Barton and Hume Highways and

Burley Griffin Way

to the twin town of Harden-Murrumburrah.  When I say three white Stags I should add that white ain’t white – there was a distinct variation in the shades of white on these three cars!

Anyhow, Stag occupants Brian & Jan, Dave & Tora and Rick & Diane along with John & Graeme in Graeme’s TR4 enjoyed a trouble free run to the Terracotta Café where we met up with Ian & Marion and Peter & Kay who’d driven across from Cootamundra.

Our Irish hosts served an enjoyable lunch and good coffee as we settled in for a long chat – forgetting that most of us had a long drive home.  It was great to catch up with our Coota friends.  Maintaining a connection with our Cootamundra members is important and Peter & Kay hope to visit Canberra for our Break the Ice Breakfast Run in August.

We all enjoyed a safe trip back to Canberra.

Diners at the Terracotta Café, Murrumburrah

We faced a rather chilly day in late June for an outdoor lunch at Biginelli’s Italian cafe in Kambah.  The portable gas heater took some of the chill off, but warm clothes were the order of the day.  Two Triumphs graced the car park (Graeme’s Stag and Rick’s TR5) and captured the attention of a few of the locals.

Noel & Heather, Rick & Diane, Graeme and Chris all huddled around the heater and enjoyed the freshly cooked Italian fare on offer – good tucker and coffee at very reasonable prices.  The staff certainly went out of their way to make us welcome.