|
Observation - Car Purchase, Marriage and Exhaust Care:
Many years ago my first sports was a fabulous French blue 1957 TR3 purchased in Vancouver. B.C. I owned it for two and a half years driving it throughout B.C. as a daily driver; and to
sports car events within B.C., Oregon and Washington. But this I sold to marry Rita following meeting her in Vancouver; to where we'd both emigrated from the U.K. And although I 'loved' my TR3 its sale was an easy
decision, as Rita was the "most beautiful person" I'd ever seen. But other TR3's followed until our first child forced direction to a more family oriented car. This until my occupation brought better
income enabling us to afford a second car. A new TR6 in {of course} British racing green [b.r.] that never let me down over 5 years of ownership. By which time our family had grown considerably necessitating a
return to another family car geared to income. So although I hankered after another Triumph, the TR8 in particular, I had to wait a few more years until retirement to chase one down. Of which I'm now the proud
owner.
It's purchase materializing June 2006, from a nice Quebec chap (a Triumph GT6 enthusiast) in Clermont (a village an hour and a half north of) Quebec City. So after receiving excellent
internet photographs I flew to Quebec. But as we all know photographs never show a car in true form and I saw things needing attention. Although (and this is always dangerous) I fell in love with the car as it's
fuel injected - that I was looking for. Though not in b. r. but gold, and I did the deal as I'd spent over a year looking and checking values both throughout N. A. the U.K. and the Continent. And this TR8
manufactured August 1981 is the closest to the closest time these fine and very safe cars were last manufactured [the last October 1981: the year only over 400 were made]. Plus it's one of only a few specifically
ordered for the Canadian market as a 1982 model I researched; with the serial number having one different letter and one different number.
Then followed the adventure of driving the car back to Calgary. Alberta, through Quebec, Ontario [above the Great Lakes], Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. That's a very long but fun drive
I've many times driven throughout the years; and I'd again do at a drop of a hat. As this is a super way to see the Canadian country and meet various Canadians throughout the trip when - it seems - everyone is more
relaxed and outgoing whilst traveling and inclined to speak to fellow travelers without inhibitions. Certainly within the Vintage Sports Car Club of Calgary [VSCCC] I belong to, that's an ample explanation of our
members. I find also applicable to the Old English Sports Car Club of Victoria [OESCC] I belong to; plus any Canadian or U.S. car meet you here attend as bonded car enthusiasts!
Upon arrival in Calgary I had the TR8 undergo a bit of body and brake renovation. And although the engine had only 56,000 genuine kilometres on the clock, the engine needed to come out
during renovation, so I also decided on some internal changes to it along with headers [most parts bought from Rimmers until I found Woody]. But because of engine change costs I stupidly - in trying to save some
cost - left in the original exhaust system. Wrong! It should have been changed at the same time! As quickly following renovation one bank of the exhaust approached permanent 'exhaustion'. And when checked by Minute
Muffler not much could be done as far as repair. So at no cost they temporarily welded the exhaust so as I could use the car in short distance travel (heralded by the occasional scraping and bunny thumping) to
figure out what to do. Though very professionally the muffler guys suggested I'd be wise to secure the original or close to system from an outside source that they'd install. This as opposed to them making one at
considerable more cost.
And looking at the apparent vintage of the rest of the exhaust I decided I should look at scraping the bottom of the money barrel as prudent to replace the entire system back from the
new stainless steel headers. Still though I waffled at the substantial cost of the new exhaust as I wanted to attend the Van Duezen Car Show, Vancouver, and the English Car Meet in Edmonton last year: to suffer the
occasional scraping and thumping exhaust which anyway in the end prevented me from attending Van Duezen and the English Car Meet. And I once more ordered from Rimmers. With my choice to the quieter stainless steel
system {please said my lady!} as opposed to replacing the original noisier version (a good choice as it turned out). With a shock following ordering: that Rimmers delivered the new exhaust to me in a week! Wow.
Then delivering the new exhaust to the muffler guys required some manipulation in installation [as these systems always need a little remedial work to fit]. But following a good test of
time the installation is perfect; and as Rimmers suggested, the new system supplies more torque. Plus I can drive the car as it should be driven [Newfoundland Targa anyone?]!. So needless to say I'm very impressed
by all this. As coupled with all the upgrades I think the car is now putting out about 200 h.p. And as it run-in continues I feel the engine freeing up even more.
So my suggestion! One, make darn sure you want the car you seriously want before you find it; and be prepared to spend more money in setting it up to your desire. Two, attend to ones
exhaust when first suspect of problems!
Keep rolling!
Mike Coe
|
