A list of all Member Journals on this site, with a summary of the latest post.
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Author: Stephen Jones 
Journal Created: Monday July 12, 2010
Most Recent Post: Monday July 12, 2010
Total Posts: 1
I will be traveling from California (Bakersfield/SoCal) area eastward to Pennsylvania, as far east as State College, in the next few weeks. My 18 foot two axel open car hauler will be empty, and I can deliver a medium/compact car along the route. Will adjust route (ie 40, 70 or possible as far north as 80 (Sorry, no 10). I have over thirty years 5th wheel & cargo trailer towing experience with zero mishaps. Electric brakes on all four drums, new electric harness, bearings serviced, new tires, Class three hitch. I have hauled my vintage racer for years on this trailer. S-10 4x4 PU w/4.3 Vortex tow vehicle. Insurance covered by owners policy. Will negotiate price according to distance. Will consider taking passenger, share fuel. I drive long distance stints with sensible rest stops and sleep if someone is interested. Towing experience a plus. Sorry, return trip already loaded. Stephen Jones 661-821-0414 661-342-7968 6t9gt6@toast.net
Author: Charlotte Green
Journal Created: Tuesday June 8, 2010
Most Recent Post: Tuesday June 8, 2010
Total Posts: 1
While practically everyone on the planet has heard of the Triumph Bonneville, the Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle has not achieved the same amount of fame. And yet, the Thunderbird was at least as important to Triumph as the 'Bonny' in terms of sales and popularity .. it simply doesn't get mentioned as often. Among the Triumph faithful and aficionados though, the Thunderbird is perhaps the most important Triumph to be produced according to some custom papers. It all started with three riders driving across 500 miles at 92 mph on three different - but recorded as stock - Thunderbird 6T motorcycles. In 1949, that was a testament to durability, reliability and speed. From that year until 1966, Triumph produced the Thunderbird motorcycle out of the Meriden factory and shipped them all over the world. All models had a 649c.c. two-cylinder engine - a big increase from the 498c.c. Speed Twin it was modeled after - and was mated to a 4-speed gearbox. It proved to be so well liked - perhaps loved - in the U.S. that, after 1950, Triumph sold more bikes in America than it did in any other country including in the homeland of England. The Thunderbird motorcycle went away after 1966 only to reappear in 1981 as the Thunderbird TR65. It was simply an 'economy' version of the T-140 Bonneville and was only sold in the U.K. and a handful of British Commonwealth countries. It lasted three model years and then Triumph suffered some very tough times. However, John Bloor brought the company back to full-on production in 1990. Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. of Hinckley began another model run of the Thunderbird motorcycle in 1994. This beauty had an 885c.c. 3-cylinder engine connected to a six-speed transmission and rode on very confidence-inspiring 18 inch front and 16 inch rear wheels. A tractable 69hp and 52ft/lb of torque carried the 485lb dry machine over any distance in any place you could find fuel. It was blessed with classical good looks, two-tone paint and historical emblems and exhaust. Like the first T-bird, it was built for cruising and its parts and accessories catalog was ready to help with anything a rider may need or want. The Thunderbird 900 Sport motorcycle was produced in 1997. It had many upgraded components - wheels, brakes, suspension, etc. - and put 82hp to the ground - a significant increase. The design was slightly modified as well, but it retained its lovely retro styling. The 900 Sport was the last 885c.c. Thunderbird motorcycle to be made .. Until the 2010 Thunderbird motorcycle was developed! The latest addition is a rather large twin with 1600c.c. in displacement, a comfortable cockpit, great handling and smooth character. It still lives up to the needs of a cruiser or touring rider, and it is a very exciting and well-balanced ride. The Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle enters a new century and a new icon is born.
Author: Todd Bulebush 
Journal Created: Sunday June 6, 2010
Most Recent Post:
Total Posts: 0
No posts in this journal yet.
Author: Bill Chapman
Journal Created: Friday May 28, 2010
Most Recent Post: Friday May 28, 2010
Total Posts: 1
All good stories have a begining, weather or not this will be a good story will be revealed in the telling. Back in the mid 70's a friend of my dad bought a yellow Spitfire and dropped by our house to show my dad. Dad was working on this guys 36 Plymouth coupe at the time and I was about 7 years old. My dads friend took me for a ride in that little yellow car and I was hooked. Ever since I have been able to drive I have wanted one of these cars. However, I understood that this car was not a "daily driver" for commuting to work everyday, hauling people, etc. If I was to have one I knew it would have to be my second car. Life carried on, the wife came, followed by the kids, the house, the car payments... everytime I found myself with a bit of extra cash I found myself without the space and time for a second car...and whenever I had the space and time...well...I didn't have the extra money. I have been watching pricing on these cars and reading blogs and doing research trying to prep myself for the day when I would have one. About two years ago I saw a red Triumph Spitfire 1500 sitting in the lot of a small mechanic shop near my house. On a whim I stopped in and looked the car over and asked the price. The guy tells me $3000. That was too much for the car as it sat and well outside of the budget I had set for myslef. Jump forward to two weeks ago. I notice that the little red Triumph is still there. I figure the guy may be willing to deal on the car two years later so I stop in again. I get the keys and the little 4 banger fires right up. Oil looks good, interior looks to be in decent shape under all the dirt and grime. The top is shot, there are a couple of dings, and some small rust spots... Tseller says that the car will not go down the road due to what he feels is a carb issue. It starts rolling but when you apply the gas to speed up it just bogs down and kinda falls on its face. I ask how much. he say he is asking $1400. i think to myself "now were getting someplace". I tell him I will get back to hime on it. Needless to say i didn't have $1400 just laying around...but i did have some "stuff" laying around. I sell some stuff and manage to gather up about $1000. I return with $900 in hand and $100 stashed in my pocket. I say $900 he says $1200, I say $950, he says $1100, I say $1000 is all I got. he accepts, I grab a trailer and my father-in-laws truck and bring it home. I was able to drive it up on the trailer and up into the driveway but a test drive around the cul-de-sac confirms what the seller had said...it falls on its face if you try to give it any juice at all. back up the drive for a good cleaning. The engine is covered with oil and the body has about 5 years worth of sun damage and road grime on it...engine brite for the engine...zip wax for the body... vacuum/shampoo/armoral for the interior. Now I can get close to it without getting covered in dirt... to be continued....
Author: Osgood Sargeant
Journal Created: Monday April 19, 2010
Most Recent Post: Monday April 19, 2010
Total Posts: 1
The ol man was in school in Chicago (1975). A fellow student was a car dealer to put himself through school at his Family's car lot. After a few shiney Vettes he showed up with a 1974 Triumph TR6, that he had "Zebarted" which is an under coating done inside the panels and under the car. My Father purchased it from him in 75, and I would sit behind the driver's seat... back then. It ran in Florida, it sat in D.C. and San Diego it sat, only to be driven hard after he would argue with my step sister. Alabama, it sat... Then the step mom gave him notice, it was for sale or I had to take it... Well, I have it. Lord help me, living in California with this crazy OLD toy. My sister and I see it as family. Now I see it as a way to make my mustache look vintage. Dad said it would show up ready to hit the road. That was not quite true. I got some Michelins on it. Got the Carbs rebuilt by Brit. Euro Auto, in San Podro, 1.5 blocks form my house!!!! awesome. not cheap, but British. Tea time at 0700, daily. Great guys. But I can't afford to have them work on it all the time. Well that's the begining. One speeding ticket, one parking ticket and one ding in the front, but that will not slow my roll... not yet. Talk at yall soon. -Bill S.
Author: Ross LoMonaco
Journal Created: Monday March 1, 2010
Most Recent Post: Monday March 1, 2010
Total Posts: 1
I live in Northern NJ. I bought my TR6 last April. I rebuilt the carbs, wipers, Brakes, U-Joints, front suspension. Fixed a "few" wiring issues, upgraded the alt to a Bosch 55 amp. Installed new 15" konig wheels. I do all of my own work except body and engine machine.... Currently rebuilding the engine with a GP2 cam, raising compression to 9:1, aluminum flywheel, and adding a "J" OD trans and an electric fan. Will also get the engine compartment painted
Author: Benjamin Stein
Journal Created: Tuesday February 16, 2010
Most Recent Post:
Total Posts: 0
No posts in this journal yet.
Author: Coridan Miller
Journal Created: Friday January 22, 2010
Most Recent Post: Sunday April 4, 2010
Total Posts: 1
So Friday my friend and his dad came over. His dad used to have a 65 Spitfire and wants to help me with mine. He was a huge boon. After turning over the car with no ignition, we tried starter fluid, well that got it going for the brief moments the starter fluid was in the carb (a great sign that the guy I bought it from wasn't lying when he said it runs!). Unfortunately, after checking the lines, replacing the fuel filter and doing everything we can to coax the fuel up the line it seems the fuel pump is dead. Luckily the mechanical fuel pump looks a breeze to install and is pretty damned cheap on Victoria.
Author: Jonathan Cronin 
Journal Created: Friday January 8, 2010
Most Recent Post: Sunday May 23, 2010
Total Posts: 12
Things going well (ish!) This weekend I removed the windscreen glass and the surround then removed the dashtop. This was a little nervy as the dashtop are notorious for splitting and the very early Spitfires have a different dashtop to almost the rest of the Mk1, 2 and 3 production which all had the same. The early dashtops had no extended lip over the instrument cluster - it's not a documented change but it's beleived to have been chanegd sometime after the 1st 1000 cars or so were built. Fortunately mine is in good condition and came off easily enough in the end. Just need to store it someplace safe now :-) To be honest I'm finding a lot of things are different on the very early cars (I have all the mechanical parts and interior for a mid 1963 Spitfire4 - FC14255 - to compare against) - The radio console/dash support is different; the fuel tank is different; the rear stop lamps are different (although I think mine are prototypes (no part numbers anywhere or makers name (lucas) if fact the design is ever so slightly different too; the inlet manifold is different; no makers name on my header tank (compared to the header tank for FC14255 which has a little plate underneath) - all interesting stuff (to me at least!). The building up of the suspension is going ok too - apart from I've fitted the lower wishbones the wrong way so the antiroll bar won't fit! Doh! At least I hadn't tightened anything up so it's an easy shift really! Post some pics of FC316 on this blog when i can. Jon
Author: erik doughty
Journal Created: Monday December 21, 2009
Most Recent Post: Monday December 21, 2009
Total Posts: 1
I bought the car for 500.00 dollars about 2 years ago. It was redone and up and running until I wanted more. More power, reliability, and the ability to tune via laptop. It currently has a custom made intake and headers that are plumbed to a td04 13g turbo and intercooler. The fuel is controlled by megasquirtI v3.57 with fully adjustable tables. This is just a mild power upgrade with low boost for now with stock internals. Looking from the outside of the car and looking in the interior the car looks almost stock, besides lowered front, wider tires, and three guages in the glove box. I will add pictures soon.
