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In This Issue:

From the Director's SeatGetting In the Back Seat...Or NotItty Bitty Spitty - Part VPit Stop! with BarryOrigins - Your Next Wife Will Love ItBritish Motorcar DayGreat Scot!Poole's Mill DriveAround About TownDrive In Cooking Show

The Georgia TrumpetAn Official Publication of the Georgia Triumph Association

Volume XXVI Number 6

June 2011

June Calendar

June 11 Poole's Mill Drive 10:00AM Start TimeJune 14 GTA Monthly MeetingJune 18 Drive in Cooking Party 7-8PMJune 25 Three Squares and a Drive

As always, visit the website at www.gatriumph.com for up to the minute details/cancellations.

Celebrating 30 Years!

Swing low......sweet chariot.......Comin' for to carry me home....

Cars available in GTA classifieds


June 2011

The Trumpet is published monthly for the members of the Georgia Triumph Association. Members are encouraged to submit articles, photographs or other materials of interest by mailing them to the club mailbox address [email protected]. The newsletter editors reserve the right to change any material to suit the needs of the space allowed for the newsletter. For non electronic submissions, please enclose a self addressed stamped envelope for any items you would like returned. The GTA newsletter its representatives, affiliates and editors canot be help responsible for any items that may be lost, damaged, destroyed or otherwise rendered unusable. Classified advertising is available free to members, $5.00 per ad for non-members. Classified ads run for one month. Commercial advertising is available at the published rate. GTA neither endorses nor warrants any product, service or method of service written or advertised in the newsletter.

The Georgia Triumph Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization of Triumph motorcar owners and enthusiasts interested in the preservation, restoration and driving of Triumph motorcars. We are a group of enthusiasts that maximize the enjoyment of driving a Triumph and emphasize camaraderie and social interaction among Triumph owners. The GTA is a chapter of the Vintage Triumph Register (VTR) and the 6Pack.

The Georgia Triumph AssociationPost Office Box 3198

Cumming, GA 30028-6516

One year commercial advertising rates (12 issues) are:1/8 page (business card) $40. 1/4 page $70. 1/2 page $100.

Full pages available for $200. Contact [email protected].

We maintain and repair all makes and models, from old to new, American, European and Japanese. We do mechanical, electrical and emission work.AERO Automotive is a Member of

BBB.

We also can maintain and repair your Triumph! That includes suspension, carburetors, electrical, drive lines and axles. Lots of experience with TR7/8, TR6, Spitfire, GT6 and TR3.

We will treat you like a knowledgeable car-person and include you in all our work. Two ASE Master Technicians and Scott Holton ( GTA Member, Ed. ), working on Triumphs since 1970. Give us a try!

Aero Automotive 4725 Canton Highway Marietta, Georgia 30066 770-926-9050

Visit us on the web at aeromotive.com or Email Us at [email protected]


From the Director's SeatBehind the Right Hand Steering Wheel by Hermann Schaller

May caught us with some surprisingly cold weather and thedramatic weather forecast for the British Motorcar Day inRome kept many people away. Severe rain and storms werepredicted for the entire week leading up to the show, we hadour eyes glued to the weather forecasts each night. On Friday the 13th,I kept the radar images constantly on one computer screen atwork. When even the short term forecasts proved wrong, we decided to make a push towards Rome.

We left home at 7:00 PM with the top down and drove 92 towards I-75. Just before the Interstate, we stopped and closed the top, because it had become pretty cold. A few minutes later on I-75 a few drops hit the windshield, but not enough to even use (the mostly useless) windshield wipers. This rain was not enough to wet the road and within a few miles it was over. Still, we were thinking about the weather forecast and talked the hotel receptionist in Rome into letting us park Lord Callaby under the big roof in front of the hotel entrance.

Thanks to Jeff Kimbrell, we were fully prepared for the show the next morning. In addition to all of the normal necessities we bring to make our club presence at the show, he brought our 12 by 8 foot tent, which we placed over Lord Callaby and secured each post with a solid anchor driven deep into the ground. We had an additional tarp, which could be mounted to the side of the tent to stop wind driven rain to reach the car. We had waterproof jackets and large umbrellas. We drove the six miles from the hotel to Berry College with the top down.

Neither the weatherman, nor last minute technical problems, would keep the diehard GTA members from going to the show! On Thursday, May 12th, Bill Stoessel called me after the heating system valve on his TR6 broke and he couldn’t get a spare part fast enough to attend the BMCD. He asked me to send out an e-mail to all members in hopes of finding a part. As you might have seen in your e-mail inbox, we made it an urgent search, which was answered by 6 people within hours and Bill called me the same evening from his other car with a new spare part in his hand. He fixed his car the next day and came to the show the next morning. If anybody ever had doubts about the camaraderie within the GTA, this is the perfect little example that would convince you otherwise.

Once we all got to the show field, the clouds were moving in and it was pretty chilly. A fine drizzle started, but stopped right away. Then the clouds started to clear out and with the sun, more and more cars arrived. At the end, it turned out to be a nice warm day and a beautiful show. Look for the full report and pictures in the following pages.

The Georgia Triumph Association is a great club with many activities and provides access to a wide range of knowledgeable and helpful members. In June, we are planning to have two drives as well as a social event.

See you then!Hermann (the German) Schaller

June 2011


While attending the January meeting, I heard Hermann’s plea for material for the monthly newsletter and my initial thought was “just how desperate for material are they”. After thinking about it for a while, I thought that some folks might find it somewhat entertaining if I were to spell out some of my thoughts pertaining to the acquisition of some Little British Cars (LBC’s) I have owned in my life.

I tossed around in my head just how to go about attacking this little project when it occurred to me that all of my feelings and motivations about ownership of these little bits of automotive nostalgia could be boiled down to just one simple thing…backseats. Now, as some of you may have already so astutely deduced, being the above average intellectuals that all British car owners are, these cars don’t have backseats. Ah, very good my young padawan! (I hope you guys have seen at least one of the Star Wars movies, otherwise that makes no sense.) Now, before all you Stag and Herald owners out there get all in a tizzy, for the purposes of this story, those back seats aren’t much better considering the topic. (Works for me. ed) You’ll figure it out in a bit, just keep reading. Oh well, back to our story. Perhaps before I go further, a little family history is in order.

I grew up in the ‘70’s in rural Upstate New York, the youngest of five children to a Presbyterian minister and his wife. Being the son of a minister, I spent many a Sunday morning wedged in between my older siblings at church watching my father stir the hearts of the congregation with stories of faith and reverence. Living in a rural community I was surrounded by a sense of community and moral fiber. Everything about my youth was steeped in the traditions of family values and moral character. Then, of course, in a moment of Galtonian (Englishman, by the way) “Nature vs. Nurture”, all of that flew out the window with puberty. Hormones have a terrible way of causing one to turn a deaf ear to reason, common sense, and any hint of community pressure or parental guidance.

Now, you wonder what any of this has to do with the topic at hand. Well, when gripped in the ravages of blind hormonal bliss, ones opinions of certain cars takes on a rather slanted and narrow outlook. As a firm believer, at the time, of the ancient belief that “when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, women needed a reason, men just needed a place”, I looked at these little bitty cars from across the pond with confused disdain. I just couldn’t see the value of a car with no back seat! Why on earth would someone drive a vehicle that held no promise of, for lack of a better term, hormonal fulfillment? Hey, I never said I was in any way chivalrous at the ripe old age of 17. Not that I am any more so now! Now, being 6’2”, can you understand why Hermann’s rumble seat in his 1800 Roadster doesn’t really qualify as a “useful” back seat in this case? Perhaps some little 5 foot nothing English guy might take issue with this statement but for me…enough said.

Anyway, this sort of summed up my experience with LBC’s until I started dating the lady who would later come to be my lovely wife. At this point in my life I had established myself in an institute of higher learning…OK it was Georgia State, for what that’s worth. Not exactly Harvard but hey, I was on a budget. I had an apartment and was, at least somewhat, self reliant. At this point it was all about the image.

June 2011

Getting in the Back Seat...Or Not submitted by Dan Detweiler

(continued on page 9)

Itty Bitty Spitty Part V submitted by David Burke


While attending the January meeting, I heard Hermann’s plea for material for the monthly newsletter and my initial thought was “just how desperate for material are they”. After thinking about it for a while, I thought that some folks might find it somewhat entertaining if I were to spell out some of my thoughts pertaining to the acquisition of some Little British Cars (LBC’s) I have owned in my life.

I tossed around in my head just how to go about attacking this little project when it occurred to me that all of my feelings and motivations about ownership of these little bits of automotive nostalgia could be boiled down to just one simple thing…backseats. Now, as some of you may have already so astutely deduced, being the above average intellectuals that all British car owners are, these cars don’t have backseats. Ah, very good my young padawan! (I hope you guys have seen at least one of the Star Wars movies, otherwise that makes no sense.) Now, before all you Stag and Herald owners out there get all in a tizzy, for the purposes of this story, those back seats aren’t much better considering the topic. (Works for me. ed) You’ll figure it out in a bit, just keep reading. Oh well, back to our story. Perhaps before I go further, a little family history is in order.

I grew up in the ‘70’s in rural Upstate New York, the youngest of five children to a Presbyterian minister and his wife. Being the son of a minister, I spent many a Sunday morning wedged in between my older siblings at church watching my father stir the hearts of the congregation with stories of faith and reverence. Living in a rural community I was surrounded by a sense of community and moral fiber. Everything about my youth was steeped in the traditions of family values and moral character. Then, of course, in a moment of Galtonian (Englishman, by the way) “Nature vs. Nurture”, all of that flew out the window with puberty. Hormones have a terrible way of causing one to turn a deaf ear to reason, common sense, and any hint of community pressure or parental guidance.

Now, you wonder what any of this has to do with the topic at hand. Well, when gripped in the ravages of blind hormonal bliss, ones opinions of certain cars takes on a rather slanted and narrow outlook. As a firm believer, at the time, of the ancient belief that “when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, women needed a reason, men just needed a place”, I looked at these little bitty cars from across the pond with confused disdain. I just couldn’t see the value of a car with no back seat! Why on earth would someone drive a vehicle that held no promise of, for lack of a better term, hormonal fulfillment? Hey, I never said I was in any way chivalrous at the ripe old age of 17. Not that I am any more so now! Now, being 6’2”, can you understand why Hermann’s rumble seat in his 1800 Roadster doesn’t really qualify as a “useful” back seat in this case? Perhaps some little 5 foot nothing English guy might take issue with this statement but for me…enough said.

Anyway, this sort of summed up my experience with LBC’s until I started dating the lady who would later come to be my lovely wife. At this point in my life I had established myself in an institute of higher learning…OK it was Georgia State, for what that’s worth. Not exactly Harvard but hey, I was on a budget. I had an apartment and was, at least somewhat, self reliant. At this point it was all about the image.


This will probably be the last installment for the Spitfire rebuild but nevertheless we'll kick this installment off with carburetor installation. Since I wanted to get the older look to this car, I went and installed original SU’s.

After going to the effort of a fancy paint job forthe air cleaners I didn’t want the fuel linemessing up the look. So a little thought and using compression fittings, the fuel line now runs under the air cleaners and matches the lines. Also I thought a pair of K&N filters would help the air flow so these are for a motorcycle and a few holes to match the original filters. A few more lines to connect, SU linkage to fix up and the finishing touch of radical paint job on the air cleaners and I’m ready to add coolant!

The original choke cable was too short so a new cable and locking choke has been installed.

June 2011

To some of you, I missed last month. To others, you nevernoticed. Well, you really should spend the few minutes ittakes to read these articles, and not just because I writethem, but because all tech articles are written to teachsomething. I am going to a free tech workshop on somethingcalled “cloud” computing. I have no idea what that is or whywe even need it. It surely will not help me in this business butmaybe in my next. Anyway, it is free so why not learn, or attempt to learn, something.

I know someone in our MG club learned a small lesson this past week. I will not mention Mike’s name but he learned how the front of a GM aluminum V-8 comes apart while the engine is in the car. Seems a small tool was magnetized to a screw driver he grabbed to use to turn an oil pump shaft. When the small tool came loose, it was directly over a 1 ¼” hole for the distributor. You can guess where the item fell.

So what does this tell you? Be careful when working on your car. Adhere to good work practices and watch everything you do. This, lately, has gotten to the point of testing every new part you get for a British car regardless of where it came from. Here are a few examples from personal experience in just the past three weeks. One was a side entry distributor cap for an MGC or 6-cylinder Healey.

I installed a set of wires and decided to test for continuity to make sure I pierced all the wires with the little screws that holds them in. All were fine except for the coil wire. I had continuity thru the wire to the screw but not to the carbon button in the middle of the cap. If this does not connect, then the coil’s current will not travel to the rotor and then to the plugs. I pulled the carbon and spring out (I have some brand new ones of these in the original old Lucas box if anyone needs it) and found that there was cap material covering the inner contact.Using a drill bit, I ground it into an end mill and hand cut the material out of the way. How long would a customer take to find this if he had put it together and installed it himself? How about two new MGB speedo cables where one was ½” longer than the other where they go into the trans gear. If you just bought one, how would you know if it was the longer and needed one or the other? Really sucks doesn’t it?

And last, how about a turn signal switch for a TR6 that has incorrect color wires. Would you be able to figure out how to connect the wires? OK, enough about parts. How about something technical next? We have noticed lately several cars “groaning” when going over bumps. It turns out that a lot of you are starting to use new hard, nylon or poly whatever bushings. Some kits come with lubrication but not all. I coat all bushings with an anti-seize compound both inside and outside. Make sure to put it wherever a bushing touches metal and that includes the big side washers that hold everything together.


Pit Stop! with Barry Rosenberg


June 2011


Lowering of the bonnet was a snap with the winch system. Also having the car on the casters help line up the bonnet. While the bonnet was still above the car, I was able to connect all the wires and check the electrical operation. Thanks again to Neil’s restorations for the SU rebuild. The car started the second time I hit the key! I was really impressed with the performance of the SUs and expect to be selling off the Weber setup the car came with. I expected to have some issues with the car at first, so I made a quick run down the street and I started to see smoke from under the hood. After a quick inspection it was determined that the high temp paint on the headers was the culprit. A few more laps around the area and back in to look for leaks and anything else that might have gone awry.

Itty Bitty Spitty part V(continued from page 5)

Leaking from the cylinder head was not want I wanted to see! I thought I might have broken a seal when I lifted the engine so a check of the head bolts was in order. To get to all the head bolts the rockers had to be removed. This turned out a lot simpler task to complete. Four nuts and the rockers came right off. The torque on the head bolts was correct and the only other thing was the new oil feed line I added to lubricate the upper head section. The 1147cc motor doesn’t need the extra oil line and now I know not to install it. Since the rockers were exposed, a quick check of the clearance was in order. And it needed it. The clearances were all over the place and now the valves are quieter.

This project is almost done just looking for more problems and, wouldn't you know it, while the car was up for alignment we found oil dripping from the overdrive drain plug. Just one more thing….Yea right it's a Triumph!

There's always one more thing.

-David

June 2011

Stillwater Services1666 Whitlock Road

Marietta, Georgia 30066(770)689-7573

Do you own a British car? Of course you do or you would not be reading this newsletter. Do you have problems with your British car? Of course you do, it is British isn't it? Do you want great repairs at reasonable prices? Of course you do, we all do.

Well, by now you all know I am back repairing old British cars in a very convenient location. 1666 Whitlock Road, off of Sandy Plains Road about 1/4 mile from Sprayberry High School and my labor rate is only $55.00 per hour. It has not changed since scientists proved that black holes exist and O.J. was falsley accused of murder. That is almost 15 years ago. I can do almost two hours work for most other shops 1hours worth.

I have been a Moss distributor and customer since 1973. My customer number with them is still my old original shop phone number; that is how long I have been dealing with Moss Motors. I order most of my parts from them and when the parts are for your car, I split my discount with them with you. Now their discount is not that great, 30% at most, but I take my cost and add the list cost then divide by two. I make a few dollars and you save a few. As an example, a Borg & Beck clutch lists for $172.95 and my last cost was $121.07. I charged $147.01 for it. I think that is fair to both of us. I have over 35 years experience working on old Briish cars. They weren't old when i started working on them. I know what makes them tick, click, purr and growl. Any problem can be solved. Noisy differentials, slipping clutches, shorting electrics or poor running, nothing is too small or too large. I have seen and repaired everything that can go wrong at least once. I have installed hundreds of convertible tops, built hundreds of engines and transmisions; you name it and I have probably repaired it. So if you need any help, please give me a call at 770-689-7573 and let us discuss your problems. There is never, nor has there ever been a charge for talking (and I am quite good at that). I am always wiling to offer my help or advice when you call.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. -Barry Rosenberg

Next GTA Meeting

The Tuesday June 14 meeting is to be held 6:30PM at the

The Harp Irish Pub1425 Market Blvd

Roswell, Georgia 30076


June 2011


I came across an ’81 Spitfire 1500 on a dealer's used car lot and thought it might be fun to tool around in. I thought it would give me that somewhat exotic, foreign look to the ladies. At least that is what my egocentric, somewhat chauvinist attitude told me. Anyway, I bought the car and my girlfriend and I had a great time in it. Well, let me re-phrase that. We had a great time driving it. Hey, it was just the two of us, I really wasn’t interested in romantic nights curled up in the backseat of a car any more (that was what the apartment was for after all) so it was just an intimate way of getting around. Well, as we all know, spending more time under the car than in it became somewhat of a nuisance. The daily little things that come up with these cars become quite inconvenient when you are commuting to downtown Atlanta for classes every day. On a side note, however, I can honestly say that in the span of a red light I could remove the fuel pump, re-seat the seals and reinstall it before the light turned green! Necessity truly is the mother of invention.

After getting rid of the Spit my interest in LBC’s waned to the point of forgetting all about them. Marriage, and eventually children put a whole new perspective on life. Now it was all about finding the best sale on baby food and diapers. Romantic trips down winding country roads were replaced with frantic, panicked drives to the emergency room, convinced that the tooth the child just swallowed would get lodged somewhere inside and fester into a cancerous mass that would kill our perfect little angel. Somehow sports cars were replaced with mini-vans and the most important option was whether it had a DVD player in the back to keep the little darlings entertained. Once again, just like in my youth, the whole world revolved around the happenings in the back seat…just that this time it was for entirely different reasons than just a decade or so before!

Well, fast forward another decade or so. I am now firmly, defiantly and proudly planted in my mid-life crisis and it is time to relive those years of my youth. Back to the days when there wasn’t a care in the world, other than getting caught doing all those things that really should have killed you at the time but you were immortal so it never crossed your mind. These were the times that my wife and I fondly refer to as “BC”…before children! So I am surfing around the internet one day and come across this picture of an old TR6. The bug hits again! The search then begins for the perfect car. (You and I both know there is no such thing, but it is nice to dream.) After some months I come across a ’69 TR6 in Alabama that looks to fit my requirements quite well. Now, the only problem is how to sell it to she who must be obeyed. It certainly isn’t practical. It’s not nearly as reliable as our other vehicles, etc., etc. How am I going to pull this off? Then it dawns on me. A broad grin crosses my face as I realize just how to make this a no-brainer. That evening I pull up the pictures on the internet and let her brood over it. She runs down all the reasons why it makes no sense to buy such a vehicle. This borders on a tirade until she asks, in a fit of quiet rage, “With no back seat, we can’t even get the kids in that thing!” Then it begins to dawn on her and I see the calm of understanding begin to emerge on her face. After a few moments she just grins and says “Get it!”.

So, the point of this little tale finally comes full circle. Our lives are so often a matter of the perspective that we bring to daily events and these perspectives change with age and experience. The very feature of these little cars that made it a deal breaker to me at 17 suddenly becomes the deal maker at 47! Back seats…it’s what it’s all about baby. Then and now.

June 2011

Getting in the Back Seat... Or Not (continued from page 4)


Back in 1996 while visiting a customer in Augusta, and during a tour of his facilities I came upon this nasty school bus yellow and very dusty TR6 sitting in a back corner of his shop. The story he offered about the car was that it had belonged to a serviceman who did not make it back from Vietnam and that the deceased's family had let it sit outside for many years, allowing the floors to rot out. He had found the car in Brooks County and it bore tag number SML882, last registered in 1983, so that sort of shot holes through the story offered to me. The tag number is sort of significant as those into numerology will observe in future scribbling. I asked if he was interested in selling the car and he came up with a ridiculous figure which I passed on. One year goes by and I return for a third visit and casually ask about the TR6 and it appears he is most interested in selling the car. Something about a divorce I believe.

(continued on next page)

June 2011

Origins - The column devoted to your TR history"Your next wife will love it." submitted by Mike Hurst


I told Sue about my plans to buy the car and she mutters something about how sure she is that my next wife will enjoy it. Early one Saturday morning, my retired neighbor Jim and I hightail it to Augusta, picked up a U Haul tow dolly and arrived at the vendors shop about noon. Jim takes one look at the car which had been hauled out in the sunshine and says something about it looking nice. He was, I believe, just being kind. We eventually got the load tied down and headed out for an uneventful trip home. Uneventful only because if we had gone 10 miles further the LH rear wheel bearing would have parted company with the rest of the car. It was DRY and powdery as l later discovered. We arrive home and Sue is incredulous. Jim says, "good luck son'' and beat a hasty retreat.

June 2011

Origins - The column devoted to your TR history(continued from previous page)

The only socket sets I possessed were 1/2” and 3/4" drive from my Caterpillar days and they don't fit real well in confined quarters, so a major tool purchase was made before I could start anything. The individual I had bought the car from had his welders stitch in new 3/16" floors right over the rusted remains of the factory floors which all had to come out, but the good news was that he had bought and placed in the trunk a complete exhaust system, interior kit including panels and carpet, dash cover, dashboard and assorted doodads, so I looked at it as if l had bought $1,200 worth of doodads and got a car for free, or spent $1,200 on a car and got a trunk full of free doodads.

I truly believed I had bought an orphan as l never saw any on the road, until one day I met a gent at a Costco tire store who told me about AIAP.



I won't bore you with all the details of the restoration, but rest assured that the bank account took a beating, several knuckles were damaged and the kids learned a whole new vocabulary. My son still vividly recalls the day the kids and I did battle with the 'dreaded diff'. British Motor Car Day 1998 we find ourselves in the middle of a car show the likes of which we have never seen, and soon find ourselves lighter in the wallet by $24.00 and proud new members of the GTA. I must say that until we joined the GTA our circle of friends amounted to my co-workers and immediate neighbors. Suddenly we have a whole new circle of friends which we would not have had if l had not purchased the car. Some very fine friends also. The TR6 has probably logged some 40,000 miles in this time and has been a complete delight and problem free. During this time we have had two other orphans join our household and I believe on both occasions my bride stated that my new wife should really enjoy them. Those will be stories told in the future.

June 2011

Origins - The column devoted to your TR history(continued from previous page)

As you may know, the TR6 had been relegated to semi-retired status, due to the arrival of the Stag, and was put back in the corner of the garage while I debated its fate. I couldn't bring myself to sell it and one day, not too long ago, I pulled it out of the corner, primed the carbs, turned on the master connect switch, twisted the key and it busted off within 4 seconds. Sue was standing nearby watching the proceedings and the look of disbelief on her face was priceless as the car had sat for about 8 months (with Stabil in the tank of course). I checked it over carefully and we took it out for a little leg stretch. When we returned to the garage Sue got out and said, "You're not selling that car!" Cool Eh?


The other problem is that most people will tighten the boltswhile the car is on the lift or on jack stands. Well, it is easiestto do it then but wrong. You should lower the car to theground and bounce it some and roll it back and forth. Thissettles the suspension and puts the bushings in a “rest”position. Then, crawl under the car with it on the ground andsnug up all the loose bolts, do not forget any. Then put in thecotter pins as required. Also, you do not need to tighten thecrap out of them. Get them snug and install the cotter pins. Maybe I should mention that you should test fit all new bushings as I have seen some of them that are too long where they fit into an A-arm and bottom out before seating fully in position. Oh, that’s talking about bad parts again, but it has been very helpful having a lathe in-house.

Now, after you have the car on the ground and the bolts snugged and pins in and everything is finished, take the car to an alignment shop and have them set the correct alignment. Make sure the tire pressure is correct. If you went to extra wide wheels and tires, then ask the alignment shop if they should change, reduce, the camber setting so the inside edge of the tires do not wear too fast.

The other question I have heard from a few people lately is rust in fuel tanks. What would I do? If new tanks are available and they are good, note a lot of tanks that came baffled do not come that way in reproduction so check first, then you could buy the new unit. However, if they are not available or are really high priced, then clean yours. First, drain all the gas safely into a container and store in a safe place, not near a gas furnace. This warning is my “do good” deed for the week.

Then remove the tank, yes, you actually have to work at saving your tank. Flush it out with water, again being careful with the disposal of the water as gas is an excellent lawn killer. Once you have all the gas out, put some sharp gravel about 1” in size inside the tank. Now shake it for a long time turning and twisting the tank. This will chip most of the rust loose. It will take a while to work all the gravel and rust out but be patient. If you are scared of sparks igniting any remaining fumes, put the filler hole against a running car and flood the tank with exhaust gas for a few minutes. This will displace any fumes with exhaust and be perfectly safe.

All the rocks and big rust will all come out thru either the filler hole or the sending unit hole. You were supposed to remove it earlier. Flush out the tank with more water until it comes out clean. Now, you can put a chemical rust remover in the tank and slosh it around. Then follow product instructions on how to remove it. Note, I said a chemical rust remover, not a rust converter or a rust coverer. Once the tank is dry, and clean, you can reinstall it.

I never recommend using any of the sealers as they stick only to clean metal. Any surface rust in the tank will get coated but as soon as that surface rust comes loose, it separates from the tank and becomes floating debris inside the tank just waiting to clog your filter. I never, ever use any coatings and I do not care who makes them. I have seen too many tanks ruined by sealers because you can never get it out once you use it.

June 2011

Pit Stop! with Barry Rosenberg(continued from page 6)


Stag Project/Projects available (pictured on cover of this months issue)

3 Stags - can make 2 running Stags.

MK 1 Stag - low number car. Set up for a TR6 motor and trans. Has hardtop only - no convertible top frame. Was running and driving. No motor. Includes radiator, custom driveshaft, and misc bits and pieces.

72 MK 2 Set up for a Buick V6. Was running and driving but the motor seized. No motor available. Has hard top and convertible top. Has rebuilt rear axles.

73 Mk2. Set up for Rover V8. Was running and driving but threw a rod through the side of the block. Lots of missing parts. No motor available. Convertible top only - no hard top.

Not ready to break them up for parts or split the cars up for individual sale. Need the room and clear out the yard. $2500 for all. None of them will have alloy wheels when sold.

74 TR6 frame. Fair condition - needs some repair. It is a roller right now but will be parting it out if it does not move soon. Selling for core value I can get out of the parts on it. $200.

Hugh 770-567-3122

Faye W. HaysAttorney

(404) 797-0838Specializing in Child Support, Child Custody, Juvenile Law & Divorces

24 Years Experience(also proud owner of 1978 Spitfire)


GTA Classifieds

The Triumph Car Club of Victoria has posted a new URL to access their magazines.

Please use the following: http://tccv.net/trumpets.htm

June 2011

The Georgia Triumph Association (GTA) Membership Application

New Renewal GTA Member Number _______VTR Member? VTR Number ______

Last Name ____________________ First Name, MI ___________ _ Birthday __/___/____

Spouse/Partner's Name ____________________________ His/Her Birthday __/___/____

Day Phone ____-_____-_____ Night Phone____-_____-_____Email:__________________

British Cars (model/year)______________________________ Occupation:_____________

Interests: Tech Sessions Rally's Volunteer Driving Tours Car Shows Autocross Social Events Other _____________________________________________________

I would like to help the GTA leadership with: _____________________________________

As a member of the Georgia Triumph Association (GTA), I agree to hold the GTA, its Boardof Directors, officers and organizers of events free from all liability for any accident or injurywhich occurs in connection with club events.

Signature __________________________________________Date____________________

Your name, address and phone number will be published in the GTA membership directory.This information would only be available to GTA members. Put a check mark here if youDO NOT wish to have your information listed in the GTA directory.

Renewals corrections and updates may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to

The Georgia Triumph Association, Post Office Box 3198, Cumming, GA 30028-6516.

(Note: Memberships expire on December 31)

Please check here if your form contains changes.

Mail this application and $30.00 to The Georgia Triumph Association, Post Office Box 3198, Cumming, GA 30028-6516 or

get your application processed online using PayPal at the club website located at http://www.gatriumph.com.


Don't forget to renew your membership!Fill out this form or register online at

http://www.gatriumph.com/amember/signup.php

June 2011


June 2011

Pit Stop! with Barry Rosenberg(continued from page 6)

A clean dry tank will last a long time as long as you keepgas in it. So, when you put your car up for the winter, ifyou do, then fill the tank and add some preservative to it.Also replace your filters. I like the ones you can see intoso if you have a metal one, then at least put a small clearone before it so you can see if any residual fine particlesare still going thru. Once you are sure the fuel is flowing clean,I would put a new filter on.

They make some very nice fuel injection filters with a nipple on each end that are a lot bigger than a normal filter that is normally used on British cars. It is fine to use one of these. They have a much finer filter material inside and a much larger surface so it takes more to clog them. You just need to fabricate a way to secure them and that is not that difficult. I know you can do it if you have gotten this far. Cleaning your tank is not one of those fun jobs, but it is very doable by the home mechanic. Just remember how much money you are saving in not buying a new tank and in saved tow bills from a clogged filter or carb floats bowls. See yall soon somewhere. -Barry

submitted by Gary Wilmerding

We arrived at the home of Jeff and Andi Rountree onSaturday morning about 7:30 am, not exactly lookingforward to a 3 hour drive on the Interstate highway, but inorder to arrive at the Greenville Highland Games event atFurman University in time for the British car show, we didnot have much choice. Jeff had spent the previous weekcamping in the N. GA mountains with students from theprep school that he works at, and he did not return home until the day before the show, which prevented us from heading up to Greenville the night before.

We were on our way by 7:45am, and we had a nice, sunny day for our drive up. We arrived around 10:30 that morning and managed to find the entrance to the games on the first try! The staff was very friendly and once registered, we made our way through the spread-out campus to the area reserved for British cars. The venue was beautiful, with a large grassy promenade lined by huge trees on both sides. I can’t remember another car show where the cars (and people) would be in the shade for most of the show, it would be much appreciated as the day got hotter. Fellow GTA’ers Vic Richardson, Richard Waldrop and Scott & Betsy Shepherd were there as well, already enjoying the event.



June 2011

GTA May Monthly Meeting in ReviewSubmitted by Michael Campsmith, GTA Secretary

19 members and guests and 8 Triumphs attend the May meeting of the GTA.

Meeting was called to order by Director Hermann Schaller at 7:29 PM.

-Membership

To date the club has close to100 paid members, which is good for this time of year. Hermann reported we are ahead of the MG club in memberships at this time. We are still looking for ways to increase membership; ideas can be discussed at club meetings or emailed to board members.

-Treasurer's report

Current balance is approximately $5,674. The club continues to be solvent. Money has come in since January for renewals and new memberships.Hermann showed a chart of club income and expenses for 2010. He also showed a projected budget for 2011.

-Newsletter

We are still looking for someone to help prepare the newsletter. Tony Graham is doing an excellent job, but would like to share the load. Tony was given high praise for the recent newsletter edition. If you attend an event please write up an article and submit to the newsletter editor; pictures are appreciated as well. Content is always needed, so get creative and write about your restoration project, favorite drive, history of your car, etc.

-Activities

Recent events:1) Photo drive on April 162) Winery tour April 233) Mitty races April 29-May 1. This was a mostly fun event, but unfortunately Shaun’s engine died. Could be future shop days on the schedule.

Upcoming events:1) British Car Day May 14 at Berry College. Attendance has been down in recent years, so please come support this show. 2) Carolina British Car Show May 21 at Columbia, South Carolina.3) Great Scott Show on May 28 in Greenville, South Carolina.4) Pool’s Mill drive June 11.5) Drive-In cooking party June 18.6) 3 Squares and a Drive June 25 (sponsored by MG club).7) Meet the Press July 17.8) GTA BBQ and Chunky Dunk July 23. (continued on page 20)


June 2011

GTA May Monthly Meeting in Review(continued from page 17)Secretary’s Note: More details on these events will be in the newsletter and on the GTA website.

9) Britz Blitz car show sponsored by the GTA. Will be held at Sequoyah High School in Canton (Hickory Flat). So far the show is doing well with sponsorships and just added a Premiere Sponsor at the $1,000 level from Bob Fennell’s financial service company.

GTA members should be registering for the show ASAP. We need to market this showearly and often. The show field can hold about 300 cars, and we really want to fill it up.

We will also need volunteers to help run the show; please help out in any way you can tomake this show a success for the GTA.

Earl Ferguson announced that the TRA meeting will be in Fort Wayne, Indiana from June 14-19. This show is for Triumph 2 and 3 models; contact Earl for more details.

Mike Hurst suggested a trip to Blue Ridge for the drive-in movies. A date will be determined.

Three prizes were awarded to lucky number holders.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

Submitted by Michael CampsmithGTA Secretary

continued from page 16After admiring the collection of cars, a lot of which wenormally never see, we decided to head towards theHighland Games and seek out some cold adult beverages.There was a large crowd for this event, much bigger thanthe one we had seen at Stone Mountain, GA., on our onlyother Scottish Highland Games trip. After searching forwhat seemed like minutes, we decided to inquire as towhere we might find beer. The answer was that beer was not sold there, possibly because Furman was a Christian University? I have since done some research regarding Furman, and they aspire to Christian ideals, having once been an academy and theological seminary.

Being part Scottish, I just figured that the Scottish part would have overridden the Christian part, and that beer would be sold there. In spite of all this, we enjoyed the Games, with the caber toss being one of our favorites. This is basically lifting up a telephone pole, running with it, then tossing it end over end while trying to make it land pointing away from the thrower. (continued on page 27)


Poole's Mill Drive

On June 11, 2011 the GTA is planning a driveto Poole's Mill just a wee bit north of GA Hwy20. The route we will be taking begins at theusual corner of Mansell and Hwy 9 at theStarbucks. Departure time will be 10:00 AMso for you not so early risers (myself included)you can rest up a bit and still make the drive.

The idea behind this drive is that since thetemperatures will likely be on the hot side thatthis drive will be short and not too taxing on the cars or the drivers. Care has been taken to limit the amount of stop and go traffic (although realise where we are starting from) and also attempts to maximize driving enjoyment. The overall drive time is less than 1 hour.

At the destination point of Poole's Mill you will be greeted by the Poole's Mill bridge one of Georgia's remaining covered bridges (open only to foot traffic) with refreshing gentle flowingwaters amidst a heavily wooded and shaded park with a reserved picnic pavillion with restrooms. If you are inclined there will be horseshoe facilities and playground for any kids you might have in tow. GTA will be providing hamburgers and hot dogs and you are invited to bring your own dishes and drinks. Please RSVP to [email protected] to give us a general headcount no later than June 7. Poole's Mill is a family oriented park run by Forsyth Parks and Recreation. There is a no alcohol policy but plenty of interesting things to see for the nature lover in you.

June 11, 2011

June 2011



British Motorcar Day submitted by Jim Orr

The annual gathering of British Car Enthusiasts at BerryCollege once again, came off without a hitch on May 14th 2011The GTA was well cared for by so many club members pitchingin and helping from set up in the morning to take down at theend of the day. It was a tremendous display of cooperation andservice involving just about everybody. Onlookers saw an impressive club in the Georgia Triumph Association’s showingat British Car Day.

At last count we had about 40 Triumphs on the show field. There was one lost TR4 sitting on the hill with the Sunbeams. Perhaps it was adopted by a heard of Sunbeams when it was a baby and grew up thinking it was one of them. There was also a Triumph in the For Sale section that I did not have a chance to look at. There was also a TVR 2500M in the “other” parking area, but the 2500M is literally a Triumph at heart with it’s TR6 running gear and suspension.

The weather looked dubious as we were setting up at 8:30 AM, but the temperature was PERFECT and the day only got better and better as it aged like a fine wine. When we broke down, it was a breezy 70 degrees with blue skies dotted with white clouds – spectacular!

The GTA as promised, moved a great deal of regalia thanks to Joe and his Mom, who I call Joe Mama. They hocked everything from beads to koozies and did quite a good job of it. I watched as Joe sold a Union Jack necklace for $2 and a kiss. Did he let the lady off with just $2? No, he got his kiss (On the cheek of course ‘ cause Joe is a married man) I believe that we are nearly sold out of 2009 T-shirts and long sleeved tees as well. The new ladis’ hats sold well as did just about everything else. We may have liquidated enough Regalia to pay for the great BBQ lunch spread that we had thanks to Sue Hurst.

June 2011


Of the 40 or so Triumphs that were on display, about 25 of them won awards. The cars are voted on strictly by fellow Triumph Owners who are also showing their cars at the event, so the awards are all participant’s choice awards by nature. The awards and winners by category were as follows:

Class 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd placeTR7/8 Susan Ferguson Scott Brannon N/A

Green TR8 TR7

Late TR6 Gary Wilmerding Ed Czysken Russ Turner’76 TR6 '76 TR6 ’76 TR6

Early TR6 Chick & Patty Fries Dan Detweiler Jeff Rountree’73 TR6 ’69 TR6 '73 TR6

TR5/250 Andi Rountree Wayen Patrick Scott Shepherd

TR4/TR4A Warren & Patti Watson Mark Pruitt N/A’66 TR4A ’64 TR4

Spitfire/GT6 Bob & Marilyn Briyan David Burke Jim Bennett’70 GT6+ ’65 Spitfire ’75 Spitfire

TR2,3, 3A Steve Barber John Messore Gary & Lynn Hill 3B TR3B ’60 TR3 ’60 TR3

Specialty Mike Hurst Hermann Schaller Joe EarnestTriumph ’73 Stag ’49 2000 Roadster ’71 Stag

BEST OF SHOW 1949 2000 Roadster owned by Jeri Schaller (Oh and Hermann too)

June 2011

British Motorcar Day (continued from previous page)



June 2011

British Motorcar Day Pics (continued from previous page)


Around About Townby Tony Graham

Unfortunately, BMCD was a bust for me. Due to a scheduling conflict I was unable to attend...but then again I was in Maui Hawaii so I'm not complaining. Missing a big event like BMCD for me is always a bit depressing though because I like nothing more than roaming the isles looking at all of the different cars and talking with the owners and the gearheads that actually do their own wrenching.

Speaking of wrenching, I admit, I am still on 'Island Time'. I have been very sluggish since getting back, perhaps a bit of jet lag, but more likely it's just a case of getting back into the swing of things. You may remember in one of my columns past that I don't like to stop working on a project because there is always a likelihood of not getting motivated to pick it back up. The older I get the more it holds true. However, I did manage something of interest.

As you may recall, the Lotus' engine was seized when I brought her home. Not really surprising sitting in a barn for 25 years. However, after tearing down the TR7 engine and being shocked by its pristine condition (after sitting in a salvage yard for nearly as long) I thought I'd give a go at seeing if the Lotus engine could be freed up without pulling the block. You may recall I was able to successfully free it by soaking the cylinders with a mixture of motor and penetrating oils and leaning against the car with it in third gear. It made a nice clunk and then turned freely. However, even after loosening it up there was still a bit of extra resistence. It could be the clutch is stuck or perhaps some upper cylinder or ring gunk, at any rate the starter was unable to whip it around but rather would act like a starter drag. After replacing the starter I realized there was something more to it.

So now I am back from Hawaii and looking for a little something to do that doesn't require much effort to get me back into the mindset of working on my LBC's. As it was a nice day, not yet too hot, I decided to shuffle the LBC's and get the Lotus out of the garage. My thought was if the engine is still gunky inside that I could pull the plugs and roll it in gear down the driveway with the transmission engaged in a high gear. So I get my daughter act as the driver and I played the motor. Pushing it in gear with the plugs out was very easy and I could hear the pistons rolling through their compression strokes making that characteristic 'whoop whoop'. Eventually we came to a stop at the end of the driveway and I got in and pumped the clutch and the brakes. I had not worked on the MC yet, but it came loose and started pumping as did the clutch. I thought, what the heck, let's pour the coals to it. So I brought out a battery and keyed it off. She cranked beautifully with no more drag. The engine was now completely free.

So now I was wondering how far can I take this? I shot a bit more oil into the cylinders and installed some brand new E3 spark plugs. Tossed some starting fluid down the carb and lit it off. She fired and ran until the starting fluid burned off. Gail reported that large puffs of blue smoke coming out the tail pipe. Rejoice! It looks like I may get some mileage out of her before she has to be torn down for a complete rebuild. Look for me at Norcross with the Lotus. It's my new goal.

-TonyTriumph!...It's what's inside.

"Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned." -Emile Durkheim

June 2011


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June 2011


June 2011

continued from page 20Sound like fun? There were ladies performing the same feat, Jeff and I were feeling kind of wimpy at that point. We alsowatched the sheep toss (there were no sheep, just a heavyburlap wrapped bundle apparently about as heavy as a lamb).Another great event was the Border Collie show, were the dogs are trained to round up sheep, it was amazing to watchthem in action as they circled the sheep and headed them off when the strayed, then crouched down ready to spring back in action at any second. At this point we realized we were standing on the back side of the hatchet throwing event, at least that’s what I am calling it, I am sure it has a real name. We decided that maybe we would head back to the car show before we were impaled. There were nets behind the targets, but you never know.

Back at the car show, it was time for awards, and the GTA contingent did well, with all of us winning something, including Jeff with the only first place for our club!

We headed to the hotel with Jeff and Andi to unwind a bit before dinner. After a recommendation from the hotel staff about a nice Italian restaurant called Trattoria Giorgio in downtown Greenville, we drove our LBC’s to a parking lot within a block of main street. Once we hit the main drag, it was hard to believe, there were people out everywhere! We were not in Atlanta anymore, Toto. Folks were strolling along Main Street like there was no crime or recession out there, what was wrong with these people? Many of the restaurants had outdoor seating, and we found our Italian place a few blocks away. We had a great meal in a restored older building with huge windows and 20’ ceilings. The entire downtown looked like it had undergone a makeover of sorts, very clean and in great condition. However the best part was still to come. We decided to join the locals and do some strolling ourselves, and ended up at a park-like area. It was the Reedy River, and it runs through downtown Greenville and is quite a sight. The city built a curved suspension pedestrian bridge over the river, and the river was a good 75’ below street level. There were water falls as the river dropped another 30-40’, and the bridge gave a great view. There is also a trail that follows the river, and the entire area is known as Falls Park. It was hard to believe this was in the middle of their downtown.

Overall, I think the four of us were in agreement that we would revisit the Greenville show next year. We would probably head there on a Friday and stay at a hotel downtown. Hermann and Jeri did this llast year and it seemed to work out well for them. It was a little bit longer of a drive than some of the shows, but the venue was excellent, and the Scottish Games and Highland Festival added some variety to event!

-Gary Wilmerding

The Georgia Triumph AssociationPost Office Box 3198Cumming, GA 30028-6516

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