Guest Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 So tell me about that Triumph..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 Here's the scoop...1972 Pimento Red TR-6. Owned it since new (31 Years). Almost sold it twice in the '70's, then, put it away for a number of years. In the 1994-95 era, I started using it again.Took it to Hershey in '98, 2nd Junior. Hershey in '99, another 2nd Junior. Then got serious. Had it repainted and bumpers re-chromed. Other than that, it original. Engine has never been taken out, interior original. 54,387 miles, of which, I put about 34,000 in the first 3 years.Chassis #85702-UEngine #85239-UEBody #78591Built Sept. 7, 1972Shipped to the U.S. Sept 20, 1972 to Genser & Foreman, Inc., Union, New Jersey.Currently a Senior Grand National. Awarded the Bethlehem Star Award at the Councours d'elegance of the Eastern U.S. this past June.Back to driving it a lot more, which, was my plan after I took it through the judging steps.Tooted my snoot enough...Regards, Peter J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 Cool, very cool. Theres just something about a original owner car. What made tou decide on a Triumph way back when? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 Dear Peter,I wanna hear about the two times you ALMOST sold it and why it did not happen.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 Hi, european...back in the mid-'60's, being 2nd oldest of 8, I could afford a 1961 VW Bug. Meanwhile, and I am certain many others here were in the same position, I would envy friends, of whom, their parents bought them new sportscars. Along with muscle cars, sportscars were "the thing" back then.When the TR-6 came out in 1969, I made a promise to myself that I would get one someday. Shipped out to Vietnam in June of '69. (Posted this scenario some time ago...) Had a 2 day pass and was walking down Tu-Do Street near Tan-Son-Nhut outside of, then, Saigon. I saw a business that had all sorts of sportscar pictures/advertisements in the windows. It shocked me to see this. Went in. The deal was you could order a Jag, MG, TR, etc., make payments monthly, then, if I recall, you would let them know 2 months before separation from Vietnam. They would order the car, ship it to the closest port to your home.Well, after my first 8 months in and out of the field, I had a chance to get promoted to SSG E-6 if I would extend my tour by 5 months. Also, Col. Gibson assured me I would have it made with the MACV Joint Liaison Group in Saigon. (Col. Gibson was a tough West Point grad and he did not want to have my "green" replacement just for 5 months. Jumped on it as by extending, I would get out of the Army by 4 months.Well, made a huge mistake. Prior to extending, I gave the OK to have the car shipped to the Port of Baltimore. Till I got back, settled in, the car sat for about 6 months at the docks. My brother Beau and I went to get it. Sadly, it looked like hell sitting there...filthy, had 2 dents in it. We jump started it and headed to Reading. It stopped running twice on the 3 hour trip home (probably bad gas). Worked on it a bit, however, it never ran well. Also, back then, if you bought a car from someone other than a particular dealer, they treated you as a 2nd class citizen. Not many general mechanics were knowledgeable about these cars, too.Sold it, bought a Nova SS in '71. Should have kept it, however, I gravitated back to wanting a TR-6. Bought the '72 and the rest is history.Hi, Diz...I almost sold it twice in the late 1970's as I was traveling a lot with my job, put the car in storage, and, needed the room. I simply could not bring myself to sign over the title in both cases. Really ticked-off one guy, but, I am sure he got over it.Kept it in working order for actually 3 long-term storage periods. As I mentioned, in '94-95, started running it frequently, etc.Regards, Peter J... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 You're doing exactly what I want to do. I want to get a new sports car and keep it until it's a real collector. One of these days I'll be able to get a new Caterham Super Seven and the rest will indeed be history. Keep living the dream Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 european...As I mentioned previously, I put 54,000 miles on it, not, new and put away.If you go my route, guaranteed you will get to know every "crook & cranny" of the car over 31 years. Some folks have a car collection of 1,2,10, & up...My collection of "1 car" generated my meeting many great people, and, it is not stopping. That's where the old car fun is, and, it is endless, really. Sometimes I will drive it to a get-together, other times, I will tow it due to distance. Whatever...people is the key.Regards, Peter J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 I totally agree. If you're not driving them at some point then what's the purpose? I do the trailer queen thing for a while but eventually it's time to stop chasing trophies and time to start chasing curves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted September 20, 2003 Share Posted September 20, 2003 I was a judge at the 1991 Vintage Triumph Register in Ft. Mitchell, KY. As I recall at that meet there were 3 cars trailered in out of about 500 or so. There were many amusing negative comments from the VTR stalwarts concerning the trailered cars. The most choice comments were for a particular owner who trailered a car too late to participate in one of the driving events, which by VTR rules is mandatory for judging. I hope that rule still stands.There are no easy VTR trophies. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />I like the British car enthusiasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted September 20, 2003 Share Posted September 20, 2003 Yeah Peter and the Army STILL does the same thing when it comes to buying cars. That's how I bought my Harley. I've got a bike that was bought in Turkey, a bill of sale from Switzerland, that was assembled in York PA, and delivered in Rochester NY. The next owner of that will have fun trying to figure that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted September 20, 2003 Share Posted September 20, 2003 Dear Peter,Your"collection of one" made me think of this.I was hunting down some Zephyr parts and the guy i was talking to asked me about the other cars in my COLLECTION.I almost LAUGHED out loud,i have one car ,i think thats enough for ANYBODY,at least when you are doing your own work.HOW much of this stuff can you afford?as always just my 2-cents.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted September 20, 2003 Share Posted September 20, 2003 Dave...I am quite certain that the mandatory rule still applies. About 6 months ago, I recall reading about this in the VTR magazine article listing results.When I attended the Central Virginia British Car Club meet last weekend, they also touted that they will be the host for the 2004 VTR Convention FYI. I plan to attend. Pat...that's quite a trail of paperwork on your bike. Interesting to say the least.Diz...totally agree. Time constraints on my part. I always fancied early '50's MG's. At the annual auction in Atlantic City in 1997, I saw a TD that I thought was great. Told a friend, who went with me, that I could sell the TR6 and buy the TD. His answer: "No, no, Pete...you don't sell, you add on to your collection." My response: "Your right, Andy...Sharon would have me in front of Judge Judy in a New York minute." Forgot about this, Diz...guess it was the 3rd time I almost sold the TR.Regards to all, Peter J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Diz,Here's your first mistake. We don't have collections, they're addictions. Some addictions are more severe and some aren't. Peter's is under control, my father and I have addictions that are not in control (15 vehicles - 6 presentable, 1 almost presentable, 7 unrestored, and one that we'll be buying parts for before at Hershey that will get tore down when we get home).There are several who have addictions that are either more severe and less severe than my dad and I, but collection?? Not even close!! We're addicted!! For some it's alcohol, or drugs, or cigarettes, or gambling, etc., but for us it's anything with wheels that'll go. We do all of our own work, and we've got more than one, but aside from the Mustang GT (which we bought new), the most we ever paid for everything was $3,500, and some stuff we got for as little as $300, but everything that we have we got it because it was a good deal at the time. Now we get things restored as time and money allows us to get them done, and some stuff has sat for 30+ years before it was touched.Despite all of the iron in our addiction, there isn't a single one of them that has gone to the level that Peter has gone with his Triumph. .......but we are working on it <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Dear ex98thdrill,Sounds like that racin addiction i had,took me 4 cars,15 years and 2 wrecks before i could pull the needle out of my arm.Sounds like you have alot of room,a luxury we never had.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Diz,We'd like to have a race car, but everytime we get the itch, we build a show car instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Anybody know how to get involved in vintage road racing? Websites, magazines, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Try getting in contact with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). If they didn't sanction something like that, I would imagine they would know who would. Two weeks ago at Watkins Glen International they held their annual Vintage Grans Prix event. That would be another resource, but you're a couple of weeks too late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 A good Barnes & Nobel should have a copy of Vintage Motorsport, you'll find info on SVRA, VSCCA etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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