Lifelong Appreciation for British Automotive Design

[rickgt]

Hi, I'm Rick from Vancouver, WA. I cannot remember a time not being in love with British cars. My dad had a thing for the Jaguar Mark II saloon and Rolls Royces and Bentleys, but life and kids kept him from that passion. Becomming "aware" in the 60's, I of course fell in love with the XKE and from that a love for the designs of British sports cars - MG's, Triumphs, Austin Healeys (when I was 10 a hydo driver neighbor had one and he would't let me near it for fear of drool!) and of course Aston Martins. My first love-hate relationship with a brit car was a 10 year experience with an '82 XJ6 Vanden Plas - luxurious yes, a maintenance nightmare - OH YEAH. Finally, at the tender age of 68, I took another plunge in the brit pool last month and found a nice 1976 Triumph TR6 in a very rural town just north of me after looking for one for a number of years (I know, not many folks like the looks of the '76 but it commemorates the year I graduated from college; the year I got married, got my career job, and I just like it's agressive styling). It still had 1982 Michelin tube-type 185-15's with the redwalls on them but not much tread. To make a long-story-short, I look forward to working on the car and learning from all of you on BCF!

 

[Louis 52MGTD]

rickgt,
Very nice looking TR.

 

[rickgt]

rickgt,
Very nice looking TR.

Thank you. Cosmetically nice - going after brakes next and trying to get into a shop to get it tuned. The limited folks that work on these in Vancouver are booking into late September! More impetous to learn to do it myself

 

[Louis 52MGTD]

I'm the same way, car look's good, but a lot of little things to be done.
Some of the things I have fixed in the last month:
1. Adj. the clutch rod, some one left the locking nut off and the clutch was on the floor.
2. generator prob. not charging, new generator.
3. right front brake leaking, new frt. brakes.
4. Brake lights stayed on any time the ign. sw. was on, new brake light switch.

Now I need the carb's adjusted, I'll prob. have to figure out how to do it myself.
and 1st gear sounds like a rock crusher, I'd like to have a five speed put in it, instead of having this one rebuilt, but like you, I've been told it could be a long wait to get it in the shop. I seldom use 1st gear unless I get stuck on a hill, it has no prob. taking off in 2nd under normal driving, all the other gears are fine for now, the guy I bought it from said he has been driving it like this for the last four years.
But, I still have my two VW bug's to keep me busy, it never ends.
Didn't mean to ramble on so long.

 

[rickgt]

I'm the same way, car look's good, but a lot of little things to be done.
Some of the things I have fixed in the last month:
1. Adj. the clutch rod, some one left the locking nut off and the clutch was on the floor.
2. generator prob. not charging, new generator.
3. right front brake leaking, new frt. brakes.
4. Brake lights stayed on any time the ign. sw. was on, new brake light switch.

Now I need the carb's adjusted, I'll prob. have to figure out how to do it myself.
and 1st gear sounds like a rock crusher, I'd like to have a five speed put in it, instead of having this one rebuilt, but like you, I've been told it could be a long wait to get it in the shop. I seldom use 1st gear unless I get stuck on a hill, it has no prob. taking off in 2nd under normal driving, all the other gears are fine for now, the guy I bought it from said he has been driving it like this for the last four years.
But, I still have my two VW bug's to keep me busy, it never ends.
Didn't mean to ramble on so long.

You certainly have a beautiful MG and it sounds like we'll both be busy learnng to do some things. I've had the seats and the carpets out, ground down the floorboard rust and repainted; put new water and soundproofing in, straightened out and freed up the seat glides. sanded down and repainted the spreaders for the top and spent a long time working to get the seat leather looking better. I think my Carbs. will need adjustment as well - car is running pretty rich. Replaced the plugs but have yet to touch the distributor. Have new rotors and pads on order for the front brakes and will have to pull the drums on the rears to see what's gooing on there.
I am one of the best ramblers around so no need to apologize - excitement abounds when you have a consuming challenge/hobby!

 

[AngliaGT]

Welcome!

 

[rickgt]

Welcome!

Thank you!

 

[Basil]

Welcome to BCF, Rick. Fortunately you will find many folks here willing and able to help you with your tune up endeavors (and most anything else you may need to do)

Hi, I'm Rick from Vancouver, WA. I cannot remember a time not being in love with British cars. My dad had a thing for the Jaguar Mark II saloon and Rolls Royces and Bentleys, but life and kids kept him from that passion. Becomming "aware" in the 60's, I of course fell in love with the XKE and from that a love for the designs of British sports cars - MG's, Triumphs, Austin Healeys (when I was 10 a hydo driver neighbor had one and he would't let me near it for fear of drool!) and of course Aston Martins. My first love-hate relationship with a brit car was a 10 year experience with an '82 XJ6 Vanden Plas - luxurious yes, a maintenance nightmare - OH YEAH. Finally, at the tender age of 68, I took another plunge in the brit pool last month and found a nice 1976 Triumph TR6 in a very rural town just north of me after looking for one for a number of years (I know, not many folks like the looks of the '76 but it commemorates the year I graduated from college; the year I got married, got my career job, and I just like it's agressive styling). It still had 1982 Michelin tube-type 185-15's with the redwalls on them but not much tread. To make a long-story-short, I look forward to working on the car and learning from all of you on BCF!