Desert Centre – Triumph Registar of America

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Concert in Stillman Railroad Park

The  Club has reserved the Wilkin Ramada in the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park located just southeast of Scottsdale and Indian Bend Roads (7301 E. Indian Bend).   The Wilkin Ramada is just south of the Gazebo where the concert will be held.  The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. so we should start dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Now for some details:

No weapons, so leave your guns at home!

The  Club will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, condiments, paper goods, and plastic ware (including beverage cups), and charcoal for grilling.

Bring drinks, a salad, dessert or side dish to share.

After a long and intense negation with the City of Scottsdale and a financial commitment made on behalf of the DCTRA, the club members will be able to consume “BEER”!    The only concession I made was that we cannot bring glass bottles into the park.

Seating is only for about 20, and the picnic table benches are hard to sit on, so bring lawn chairs (and blankets for listening to the music on the lawn).  The live band is Apple and they play Beatle’s music.  The Ramada is about 30 feet form the stage.  With the large shade trees this is a good location.

Also, by special invitation I have secured the services of Chef Oldbear and lovely Sous Chef Diane.  Please do not comment on the food  you know how temperamental these primadonna chefs can be!

So at the July meeting I will need a commitment on how many members will be in attendance.  This will give me and ideal as to how much food to purchase.  I will also provide directions at the meeting.

Rich

Keith Davis 1956 TR3/1974 TR6

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I’ve been a Triumph nut all the way back to my senior year of High School, 1977 when I  purchased a 1974 Pimento Red TR6, which I still own. While still living in Ohio I traveled to Texas,  Colorado and took many trips up and down the east coast.

I moved to Arizona in 1999 and in 2001 came up against the AZ Emission test in which I failed numerous times. At this time I decided to restore the car. I have always enjoyed taking things apart, but the problem was it took me off the road for 3 years. This time I was able to get it thru emissions after discovering a bad cam shaft.

In May of 2006 I ventured away from Triumph’s and purchased a 1958 BN4 Austin Healey to restore only to find a bent frame and other untold ugly stories with the car. Needless to say, I sold it 9 months later to someone that was going to make a street rod out of it and didn’t care about the problems.

Which brings me to my latest purchase. After looking at an old DCTRA membership list I made a random call to a great couple in Tucson. After explaining who I was and that I was inquiring if they knew anyone who had a TR3 for sale. It turns out they had been thinking of selling their 1956 TR3. They purchased the car in 1958 in Tempe so the car has spent most of it’s time in Arizona.  The first year of the car’s life is unknown.

The car is a Salvador or Winchester Blue with factory overdrive, and a steel hard top. The car has all of original rust fee panels except for the deck lid, which blew off while being transported to Tucson. I will need to replace or repair the bonnet, it was louvered back in the 60’s.  Is anyone looking for a louvered TR3 bonnet?

As you can see from the picture, I should have plenty of help and supervision from Mallard and Ladybug.

Simon Kotsailidis 1970 TR6 Rest-Mod

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Let me introduce myself. My name is Simon Kotsailidis and my wife Marie and I moved to the valley from New York in 2001. We live in Southeast Chandler. She is a CPA and I work for Woodside homes as a back-end Superintendent. We both dabble in the real estate market for kicks. When we need money, we buy a house and resell it!!! We’ve met some great people here and call it our home. I’ve always had my heart on the TR6 since I could remember….And I’m only 37 years old! My wife knew that if given a choice, I would rather have a beat up TR6 over a new Corvette. With that in mind, she gave me the green light to go and find a TR to restore. It is still a dream to me today that I own this car.

Yes, It is true…My 1970 TR6 has been in the process of a rest-Mod since last May of ’06. The details of this resurrection are as follows. I bought the car from a young man in California through a non paying Ebay bidder. The car needed drastic mechanical work as well as body work. There was not an inch of straight metal on it! There was a blown differential and the car could not be driven more than 3 MPH. The car sat on the side of my house until I could evaluate which way and extent I should go with the restoration. Well, Luck would have it as we cashed out of an investment property when my wife Marie, decided to get this poor car back on the fast track to its former glory.

Soon thereafter, I was on the phone talking to Tony Vigliotti of Ratco (Ratco.com) ordering the best of upgrades on my new frame. It took about three months to get but worth every moment and penny. The frame arrived late in January of ’07.  I sent the motor out to Gruelichs engines (Gruelichsengines.com) for a rebuild along with polished and ported heads, Roller rockers and balancing. Greg Gruelich did a wonderful job. The bumpers were restored and rechromed by Papago Plating in Phoenix. Next up was the reliability and strength of a Toyota 5spd from Herman Van Den Akker. (HVDA.com) Herman was awesome to work with as he had great patience with me deciding which clutch and hydraulic bearing would work with my setup. New Laycock pressure plates were sourced out of England, so I bought two of them!

I am one who believes these cars are to be driven and enjoyed and to be shown to the world on our everyday streets. My restoration was to make this car bulletproof yet look absolutely original from the outside. Richard Good (Goodparts.com) was a great help in communicating his upcoming new products. Aside from purchasing his Diff conversion, I waited two months for the release of his Nissan Axles which I received in great excitement! Richard has been amazing at calling me with status reports.

The bodywork started off great until I received the tub from the shop (name withheld for now) after three months to find it had been painted in a wind storm! I was soooooo disappointed that it affected my life for days until I mustered up the courage to complain. They took the tub back and after another $1500 and two months, I received it only 40% better. I ordered new sheetmetal and assembled the car. After searching high and low for a restoration shop willing to take on my project, I had finally found Liquid creations (Liquidcreations.net) and met Spencer the owner. He is a dedicated car buff and places attention to details. His beliefs are to make it look gorgeous since his reputation stands behind the work. It is finally going to be painted in the next week or so after intense re-bodywork to clarify the wrongdoings of the last shop. 

In conclusion, This car will be repainted a slight darker shade of french blue, have a supercharger, alloy radiator, alloy sump and rocker cover, Toyota trans, Nissan diff and axles, Ratco powdercoated frame with coil over shocks. A new driveshaft made by Mesa Driveshaft will replace the old unit, NOS Tail lights and sidelights, Leather seats, NOS BL 8 track radio, New wiring  powerblock harness (Britishmcce.com) , electric cooling fan, Stainless headers and exhaust, Mallory Unilite Distributor with tach drive and Hyfire IV ignition, and more goodies!

Most important of all, is my loving wife. She has been the rock through all this. It is through her support that is making this possible…..Our spare bedrooms are now parts bins! I hope to have the car ready by September and look forward to meeting everyone!

John Reynolds

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“Our” 1971 TR6 became part of the family with the help and encouragement of “Digger” Davitt. I’d known Digger for quite a few years prior and although partial to TR3’s he fostered all things Triumph. In fact, we became acquainted due to his love of Triumph cars and my British motorcycle affliction.
The purchase of the car is a unique story that you need to ask me about.
Since obtaining the car I’ve tried to “improve” it by installing Herman’s trans kit, a supercharger, roller rockers, alum flywheel, Toyota calipers, …………………….
It’s a work in progress.

Speros "Jim" Andres 66 TR4A IRS

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When I bought this car in 1983, I had never kept up a car.  I’d changed oil and filters – but my understanding of the internal combustion engine was “limited”.

The day I sat down in the drivers seat of this 1966 Triumph TR4A IRS with the original overdrive transmission I was hooked.  I turned my head to the then owner and proclaimed – “how much do you want for it?” – “Love at first seat” – I drove it home.

Over the last 24 years, I have become intimately familiar with most of the inner and outer workings of this car.  I’ve changed water pumps, starters and transmissions.  I’ve taught myself to rebuild and tune Zenith Stromberg Carburetors.  I’ve converted the car to alternator power, added an electric fan – you name it – I’ve probably “busted knuckles” over it.

Obviously, this was self preservationist thinking as mechanics in Louisiana – where the car and I are from – laughed and kidded at the off mention of repair work for pay.  I kept it running and enjoyed every minute behind the wheel.

Until I got to Arizona.

In Spring of 2000,  I moved to Arizona on a search for opportunity.  I found it and was certain of it by September of that same year.  My wife, Martha, and daughter, Alexis, moved here.  We found and purchased a house – and contracted a mover to bring our belongings, including the TR, to Arizona.

By the time the car arrived, it had been sitting for almost a year.  It was relegated into our third garage stall for a year.  I worked on it, got it running, took Martha for a test ride, and lost first gear at the corner of Bush Highway and Usery Road.  When we got home, limping without 1st or Reverse, I put it back in the garage and walked away.

By the Spring of 2004, I ran an add to sell it.

A fellow by the name of Jim Bauder came by to look and made an offer.  As I listened to his offer, I was overcome by my affection for the TR – refused the offer – and got about getting her back on the road.

By Fall of 2005, I’d had the car in better shape than ever while under my ownership.  Upgraded front suspension with shocks and polyurithane bushings, new bearings and u joints everywhere, new brake pistons and friction surfaces, rebuilt everything rebuildable in the running gear, spin on oil filter, new wheels and tires, new clutch, Petronics in the Distributor, 12v Cooling Fan, alternator upgrade and got all the lights and electrics – including the horn – working.

Everything was cool until January of 2006 when the motor lost oil seal rings in the two rear cylinders.

In March 2006 the engine was removed for rebuild.  About a month later, I started taking her apart.  So far, The chassis has been sandblasted, painted and rebiult.  The body has been sandblasted and primed.  I (with the help of a few “Close” frends) have replaced both floors, inside and outside rockers, rear valances and rear.  Right now I’m (we’re) fabricating pieces to replace pieces that are rusted through.

Craig Kenyon's TR-6

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In spring of “81, I purchased my first Triumph.  It was a baby blue 72 Spitfire 1500.  I bought it off a family in north Houston.  I had just changed jobs and didn’t have a company car anymore so I needed backup wheels, as my main car was a 74 Europa.  I figured that two british cars might be as reliable as one real car.  Plus, an open car appealed to me after briefly owning a Healy in the “70’s.  When I relocated 6 months later, I let the Spit go.

In the summer of “82, I came to the Valley to attend the “Willy” school for wayward young men.  The Europa wasn’t the most optimum as there was no A/C, tiny windows and an anemic fan.  I called it my rolling sauna.  However, a fellow student from Maine with a “74 TR6 wanted to trade keys periodically.  The bug was back; well maybe the idea of natural air conditioning was uppermost.  I located my TR6 in Mesa and bought it off a real estate agent.  I drove that poor car hard.  Still do.  It took me faithfully to New Mexico, back to PHX and on to California.  Up the coast to Spokane, back to CA, through PHX and on to Grand Forks ND.  The Europa was laid up for a long time following a small incident coming down the mountain from Ruidoso.   In “90, my wife and I decided to come back to the Valley, actually, it was one of my few job offers.  As we had 4 vehicles, I let the Europa go as it was worth the most and we needed the money.  The TR was trailered down.

In the 130k plus hard motoring miles, the TR hasn’t been restored nor has required anything really more major than clutches.  What a piss poor design.  I had it repainted about 6 years ago following an incident in the garage.  Oh well.  I have pretty much done my own work for the past 25 years of ownership and find the car easy and straightforward.

Oil is Killing Our Cars

 OIL IS KILLING OUR CARS!!!!!

By: Keith Ansell, Foreign Parts Positively, Inc.

About a year ago I read about the reduction of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) in the oils supplied with API approval that could affect sliding and high pressure (EP) friction in our cars. The reduction of these chemicals in supplied oils was based on the fact that phosphates reduce the effectiveness and eventually damage catalytic converters and introduce minute amounts of pollutants into our atmosphere.

A couple of months ago I had a member of the Columbia Gorge MG Club bring a totally failed camshaft and lifters back to me that had only 900 miles on them!! I immediately contacted the camshaft re-grinder (Delta Cam) and asked how this could happen. They were well aware of this problem as they were starting to have many failures of this type. In the past, the lack of a molybdenum disulfide camshaft assembly lubricant, at assembly, was about the only thing that could create this type of problem. My customer has assembled many engines and had lubricated the camshaft properly. Then the bad news came out: It’s today’s “modern” API (American Petroleum Industry) approved oils that are killing our engines: Meaning all flat tappet (cam follower) equipped engines, as used in all BMC products, all British Leyland products, most pushrod engines prior to 1980, early Volvos, American high-performance engines and many others.

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Memorial Day Weekend Pool Party – RESCHEDULED

TO ALL DCTRA MEMBERS,

Please remember that due to a family matter I had to reschedule the DCTRA pool party from Saturday (5/26/07) to Saturday (6/23/07) at my home in N. Scottsdale arrival time anytime after 5pm.

My family and I  really look forward to seeing you all that weekend. Please call me anytime in June to determine what you could contribute to the party to enhance the festivities!!!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend…….


 Mike Long and his family are hosting a Memorial Day Pool / Dinner Party at his home in N. Scottsdale on Saturday (6/23/07), arrival anytime after 5pm. Make sure you bring your bathing suits and Triumph cars for an evening of socializing and partying to welcome the beginning of summer in the Valley of the Sun. If you would like to bring something to the party to contribute please feel free to call Mike anytime at 480-544-8355 to determine what that item will be…

I live in a Cul de sac, so parking your cars will not be a problem. I will email directions to my home in June to all members and we can finalize these plans at the next club meeting on 6/12/07….

I really hope you can pencil in this Saturday evening party date for us all to get together and have a memorable and fun filled night !!!!!

** This way Speros will have something interesting and maybe even provocative to write-up in his soon to be unveiled DCTRA newsletter, we’ll soon see……

Mike Long's 74 SPITFIRE 1500

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This 1974 Red Triumph Spitfire 1500 I purchased for $350.00 in 1978 when I was just 18 years old. My best high school friend sold me the car. I’m still good friends with Bobby Alford today. He can’t believe I still own and drive this little sports car and it looks the way it does! It was a machine I saw great potential in when I was young and naive. However, at the time I bought it the car was an absolute jalopy and ready for the junkyard. It quietly sat in my parent’s driveway for almost 3 years continuing to deteriorate from the dampness, rain, and salt air parked near the Atlantic Ocean due to a lack of financial resources on my part. I was actually able to get the car running in 1981 and drove it everyday to college and evening work until I graduated in 1987. It was at this time that I began to restore it to the state that it enjoys today! It took me over 3 years and a ridiculous amount of money to resurrect the car from the dead. Finally in 1991, the restoration of this vehicle was completed. This car represents an enormous piece of my adult life from teenage years to middle age and all in between. Everytime somebody in public compliments me about how they think my car is cute or nice, I nostalgically remember what I had to endure over many years of headaches and expense to attain that wonderful and deeply appreciated comment! Somehow it all becomes worthwhile just from kind words from a stranger……I fully expect to have this car for the rest of my life at which time my beloved daughter Aubrey will inherit this double edged yet fun filled extinct sword born in Great Britain…

Upcoming Events
Apr
9
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Apr 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.
May
14
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
May 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.
Jun
11
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Jun 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.