Restorations/ 1973 Triumph stag restoration : Title Pending.
My initial feelings after seeing this car for the first time in February 2007 were shock turning to horror then disbelief
It had driven 9 miles to its current resting place 18 years before.
As you can imagine after those years lain out doors partially dismantled in Scotland this stags bodywork and paintwork were decidedly second hand.
From a distance it looked an nice classic car just a bit faded a bit rusty with a few bits missing.As we moved closer a frightening truth was revealed .
On axle stands, stripped of windows lamps and trim ,the convertible hood almost bleached white ,the interior missing .Where there should have been seats lay boxes containing the removed components, the tarmac plainly visible through the floor on which they sat ,rain and wind moving unchallenged throughout the shell.
Floors, sills ,inner sills,valances ,rear wings were all corroded .
Maybe it was the attachment the family shared for the car or the thought of that V8 engine growl , perhaps a lapse of reason ,
I said we would do it .
The car was taken to our car body repair workshop for a closer inspection.
we found filler covering holes in the scuttle, screen pillars inside and out,front panel,lamp panel and the true scale of the task became frighteningly real.
Despite hearing this news the owners still wanted the car restored.
After a lot of structural repairs were completed the car was finished in its origional Tahiti blue.
The engine has been stripped, the block ,crankshaft and heads recieved some attention at the machine shop before re-building.
A n entire new brake system was fitted along with new polybushed suspension , half shafts and re-built differential .
A very nice stainless exhaust system with tubular manifolds was used .
The car is a delight to drive now .The exhaust note is superb and the re-built v8 pulls nicely . The polybushing makes for a really positive feel and the owners are delighted to have the car after 18 years of dreaming .