Users Story - Dave's Triumph

We spoke to Dave about his Stunning Triumph

HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED IT?

I've owned the triumph for just over two years now, bought it the day before my birthday in September 2021. Seemingly a present to myself!

I always wanted a classic car, and when this triumph came up I just had to have it. Spurred on by my dad owning one I rang the seller and purchased it! 

My small side business, @carpetartworx, making custom carpet for cars, Including floor mats, boot carpet, parcel shelf carpet, and wall art, allowed me to have some money to put towards the purchase of the triumph. 

 DID YOU RESTORE THE VEHICLE?

The car has been restored to a degree, but the car has had all of the work done by myself and a couple of now good friends who I met after purchasing the car with 15+ years knowledge with triumphs and this particular model, lucky me!! So all the work done is correct and in order with the original Triumph workshop manual.

The car when I picked it up had a lot of previous owners modifications and changes, which unfortunately in some instances were dangerous. 

Since then, the car has had the interior completely removed and refreshed/cleaned/updated. The exterior has been repainted, albeit roughly but looks better than the previous job until I can get it professionally done. The engine bay was a mess with many incorrect parts. Starting with the Wrong dynamo for the car, many metres of wiring to numerous relays which did nothing, additional fuse boxes and a few other gremlins. 

So, many hours were spent rectifying this to put the car back to standard with original parts.

And is currently running well and should be good for driving throughout winter. 

The car isn't for a showpiece or to be driven once a year when this country has good weather, but to be used all year round and be enjoyed. 

Hence the reason for using Lanoguard on the vehicle!!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS LOVED CARS? HOW DID THAT BEGIN?

I have been interested in cars for many years, this started as my dad was a designer and owned a blue triumph Toledo from new. His hands on approach to mechanics and design passed down to myself. So I have always had an interest in how things work and are built. I happily take things apart and rebuild them as habit, so although my car felt daunting at the beginning, I now have more knowledge and belief in myself to tackle most things on the car now.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?

My first car was a 2002 Seat Arosa 1.0, in red. Good little three door car!

 WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WEIRDEST ROAD TRIP?

Triumph round Britain reliability run, which is done by Club Triumph for charity every two years. This is a 2000 mile non stop 48 hrs driving marathon, starting in Knebworth driving to John o' GroatS, down to lands end and back to Knebworth. 

Unfortunately, I was forced to retire due to a miss fire, which meant unburnt fuel collected in my exhaust silencer, couldn't escape and ignited. Blowing the silencer into two with a small fiery explosion under the car. (All fixed now and all good) 

CAN WE SEE YOU AT CAR SHOWS?

I am and will be at car shows with my Triumph. 

I have just been at the NEC classic car show on the Club Triumph stand. Met a lot of interesting people and people who had these cars growing or learnt to drive in them. Hearing their stories was somewhat amazing. 

I will be attending as many shows as possible next year all being well. 

To help promote the Triumph club and my small business.

 WHAT CAT NEXT AND WHY?

No actual plans for another car, just to maintain my current daily and my Triumph and enjoy driving him and learning more!

...AND THE FINAL QUESTION - WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM VEHICLE AND WHY?

1- Audi R8 V10 in red as I love the design of the car.

2 - My Dad's Triumph Toledo, which is still in the road!