Post-War Other Herald Coupé

[curtis]

It's been a while since I posted any news on my Herald Coupé. The fact is I have been busy with my Austin A30,rebuilding the engine and that is nearly completed.
I am trying to source some Vitesse wheels in England,at a sensible price (second hand)no luck as yet. Have got the insurance sorted and am able to keep the British registration. It's not 100% correct ! but it's good to have the originality.
I attach a pic of the car in action on the Rally of the Tests.

 

[Guest]

Hi Curtis,
Nice pic! Just what a British car needs, moisture in the rocker panels. Press on regardless!

Bill

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Thanks for the picture, Curtis.

Bill - just a typical summer afternoon in LA, right? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mickey

 

[Andrew Mace]

[ QUOTE ]
I am trying to source some Vitesse wheels in England,at a sensible price (second hand)no luck as yet.

[/ QUOTE ]Exactly which wheels are you seeking? 4.5" wide rims? maybe the very rare 5.5" wide rims? earlier "solid" style or later "perforated" (as on Spitfire MkIV/1500) style?
[ QUOTE ]
I attach a pic of the car in action on the Rally of the Tests.

[/ QUOTE ] Looks about like the weather in my part of upstate New York recently. Unfortunately, my Herald is likely down until next spring with clutch problems. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[curtis]

It's the 4.5" I am looking for.
I have 1.45 13 snow tyres on the standard rims but want some 155 road tyres. Think this would be a bit too much for the original rims.
Will probably fit with tubes anyway to avoid rolling them off the rims!
Curtis

 

[Andrew Mace]

Actually, 155s would be ok on the 3.5" rims, although I would not go any wider than that. I had some 165 x 13 tires on my 3.5" Herald rims; they were ok but did sometimes feel as if they were about to "roll" off the wheels!

And I'm sorry I wasn't a bit clearer in the other part of my original reply. If you're looking for "plain" wheels that look more or less like the originals, you are a bit more limited to later Vitesse models and early GT6 models, although such 4.5" wheels were also found on most Herald Estates. My real point was that the later "perforated" 4.5" Spitfire wheels (see <https://www.triumphspitfire.com/images/cars/rthomas.jpg> for a picture of a car with these) are likely a bit more plentiful.

 

[VitSport6]

Another great pic Curtis!
Good luck on the wheels

 

[curtis]

Glad you liked the pic.I think the next competitive event will be early next year in the Alpes around Aix les Bains.I have an entry and it promises to be fun. One of the stages uses an ice racing circuit. This year I was in my Wolseley and I can tell you that at night and in falling snow the laps were quite eventful.

 

[jerrybny]

Great Pciture. Let us know how you make out on the rims. I have TR6 rims supposedly on their way from England. Of course Moss has been telling me this for about 2 months. We'll see.

 

[curtis]

May have found some rims here in France,which will be easier.
Curtis

 

[Simon TR4a]

Great picture! Sorry to be so late to join the post, I must have missed it originally.
I really admire those who are prepared to do the extra maintenance it takes to drive the car in all conditions.
Good luck with the wheels, Simon.

 

[curtis]

Well I am just back after a week away for the Rallye Neige et Glace in the Alpes. The Herald was perfect.The 1500 engine had the extra power to climb the Cols with reasonable ease and the Vitesse disc brakes coped withe the downhill bits. There wasn't as much snow as we all hoped but a great rallye. I ran on unstudded snow tyres,which was a separate class. We did have a night section on a snow and ice racing circuit. Not too brilliant as we were baulked twice and got maximum penalties.
Here is a photo of us at the start.
Curtis

 

[curtis]

Attached is a view through the Herald windscreen,taken by the navigator, as I was chasing a Renault Alpine.
Curtis

 

[Andrew Mace]

Go, Curtis! "Tiny" Lewis's spirit lives on!

 

[curtis]

I'm trying to lose weight, not increase it!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[curtis]

Here's a picture of "the office" in the car.
Curtis

 

[curtis]

Thought you would like this pic Andy? I found it on the web.
We are chasing an Alpine and a Ford RS.Nice bit of atmosphere. Can't wait for next year!!
Curtis

 

[Andrew Mace]

Wow, GREAT picture, and not just because it features a Rallye Herald...but, well, YEAH, it features a Rallye Herald!

 

[VitSport6]

They are great pic's!
Someday I will drive the Sports 6.....

BTW Andy, I still have the hardtop, Just incase you wondered, I know I havent been around much of late. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

Great pic's once again Curtis.