First registered in September 1972, this car was in largely original condition when we bought it.  It travelled about 50,000 miles in its first ten years of life and then only a couple of thousand since 1984 giving it a mileage at the start of 2000 of 55,000.

There have been some repairs to the paintwork but the interior is all original.  The car has been properly maintained all its life.  During 2006 some rust started to come through on the bottom of the doors and the edges of the wings.  In January 2007 we had one wing replaced, a few repair panels welded in and both doors replaced.  The car was then re-sprayed in its original colour and is now in excellent condition again. 

In 2009 the oil pressure warning light started flashing at idle speed although it was OK when running.  Never a good sign, so the car went straight into the garage to be checked out and the oil pressure was definitely low.  They removed and dismantled the engine to check it out.  The crankshaft has been re-ground and re-fitted with over-sized bearings.  The engine block was in perfect condition, so the bores were just de-glazed and cleaned.  The pistons were all in good condition so were re-fitted with new piston rings.  We had replaced the heads in 2006 so were just dismantled, decoked and re-assembled and the re-build was completed by fitting a completely new set of timing chains and sprockets.  The engine should now be good for another 100,000 miles.

Technical:

• Engine 2,997cc Triumph V8 engine with single overhead camshafts on each bank of cylinders.
• Oil cooler fitted.
• Develops 145bhp at 5,500 rpm and 170 lb ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
• Twin Stromberg 175 CD carburettors.
• Manual 4 speed gearbox with synchromesh on all gears and overdrive that works on 3^rd and 4^th gears. 
• Disc brakes on front & drums on rear with servo assistance. 
• Front suspension: independent, single lower suspension arm with combined telescopic dampers and coil springs, with anti-roll bar. 
• Rear suspension: independent, semi-trailing arm with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers.
• Steering: Rack & pinion with integral power assistance. The steering column is adjustable for height. 
• Wheels: Bolt on alloy wheels with 185/14 radial tyres.  
• Tyre pressures (pounds per square inch): Front 26, Rear 30.
• 0-60 in 9.7 secs.
• Top speed 116 mph.