NEWSLETTERTRIUMPH SPORTS OWNERS ASSOCIATION

P. O. BOX 3 2 7 3 GRAND CENTRAL STATION NEW YORK 17, N. Y.

VOL. 9, No.1 JANUARY,- 1963

Spitfire 4 .~---~--~~ ~-~- ---~-~ --- '--- ~ -- -- -- --- _1 -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- - -~c-- ~- -- ~ ~~-c -- --

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WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Front cover of the February issue of CAR and DRIVERmagazine features Triumph's exciting new sports car, alongwith the other Spitfire - one of the famed aircraft withoutwhich Great Britain would have undoubtedly lost her his-toric 'Battle'.

Pictured is AB. 910, oldest example of a Spitfire flyingtoday, and the property of its makers, Vickers Armstrong(Aircraft) Ltd. When Vickers got hold of AB. 910 a fewyears back, its condition necessitated a complete dismantlingand rebuilding exercise. Many of the parts needed were spe-cially fabricated by the original suppliers.

Since then, AB. 910 has flown for brief periods undera restricted permit. Vickers intend to maintain it in perpet-uity, and to fly it on all suitable occasions, preferably toaid service charities.

February's issue of CAR and DRIVER also features aroad test of the new Spitfire 4. The initial paragraph con-tains an interesting observation: - ~

"Meeting a brand-new model is always an interestingexperience. Its looks and specifications instill you with somemore or less definite expectations, and quite often yourideas about the car alter drastically during the first drive.The Spitfire surprised us by having more to offer than waspromised by its appearance."

Having driven the car ourselves, we can certainly attestto that fact.

TRIUMPH SPITFIRE SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions

~n~h ......................Width ... ...........Height (top up) .Height (top down)Weight (dry) .....Weight (complete)Wheelbase. . .Track-frontTrack - rear.. .Ground clearance

Turning circle

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 ft. 1 in.4ft. 9in.

.3 ft. 111f2 in..3 ft. 8% in.

.1474Ibs.. . .1558 Ibs.

6 ft. 11 in..4ft. 1 in.4 ft. 0 in.

. . . . " 5 in.

. . ... .24 ft. 0 in.

CapacitiesFuel tank. .Engine.Gearbox.. ..Cooling systemRearaxle

................ .10.8 gal.. 8.4 pts.. 1.8 pts.

. . .11.4 pts.

. .. 1.2 pts.............

Gearbox

Four forward speeds and reverse. Synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd,and 4th.

RatiosOverall ratios

Top1.004.11

1st&Rev:-3.75

15.40

--,--3rd

1.395.73

2nd2.168.87

Engine:4 cylinders,1147cc capacity,dual carburetors,overheadvalves. Bore2.728 in. Stroke2,992 in. Compressionratio 9 to 1. Max-imum power 63 b,h,p. at 5750 r,p.m. Maximumtorque 804 Ibjins. at 3500 r.p.m. Transmission: Single dry-plate clutch, 6% in. diameter,hydraulically controlled. Suspension: Front - Independent suspension system. Wishbone pivots, rubber bushed. Coil springs controlledby telescopic-type, hydraulic shocks and anti-roll bar. Rear - Swing axle independent system, transverse leaf springs and radius rods,Brakes: Hydraulic, 9 in. disc in front, 7 in. drum in rear. Steering: Rack and Pinion. Battery: 12-volt, large capacity, located under hood.

Interior Dimensions

Seat width (each) ""'"

Seat width between doors, , ,Headroom from seat cushionSteering wheel clearanceMaximum interior height, . , .Trunk capacity (lockable)

, , , ,1 ft. 5 in.,3 ft. 101/2 in.

, ,2 ft. 11 in..1 ft. 6% in., , ,3 ft. 4 in., . ,6.7 cu. ft.

AccelerationSpeedRange Sees.

, 20-40 m.p.h. ,11.530-50 . .. . 11.0, 0-50 m,p.h., ,12.0

0-60 , , . .. . .16.5Standing %-mile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , , . , . . , . . , .19.5Maximum speed. , . , ,91-93 m.p.h., . ' ,(depending upon conditions)

Top Gear,

ThroughGears

OptionalEquipment:Heaterand defroster. Tonneaucover. Leatherseat covering.Competitionshocks.Wheel rimbellishers.520-13" 4-plyrated tires.

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II

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~*****u~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~*****~*******» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» *» »» »» »» »» *» *» *» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »* »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »~ Two photographs that very nearly do justice to the superb body styling-by Giovanni Michelotti-of the new Spitfire 4 *: As a ~;f member of the TSOA staff remarked: "No matter from what angle I see this car photographed, it always seems to be moving" *: Well, in ~* ~a~dition ~~}~(:'inI E~alltif!ll, th~~~3pi~fir~4~- a wac!.i~al ?~rJ:Qo-"*- Willd.:!l_L'Yin?Ows.10c~("bli)c_dlli,u:s_aruLtrunk,-$~nsi~1~mpers~and-the !}-

- »- entIre front sectIOn 01 the bOdy tIltS forward, lIke the 1numph 1200 "* Changmg gear IS a JOY,and the self-adJustmg dIsc brakes really»~ stop the Spitfire in a hurry *: The rack and pinion steering is light and accurate, and in tight corners, the Spitfire goes the Triumph 1200 ~» one foot better... the turning circle is just 24 feet! Four-wheel independent suspension (well-proven on the Triumph 1200) gives»» unequalled comfort and handling *: Rare structural strength is provided by the rigid box-girder steel frame, combined with a body (apart »~ from the front section) of unitized construction *: Beauty... practicality.. . and structural integrity *: Performance? Check the accelera- ~» tion figures on the opposite page, and you'll see that the Spitfire is a potential winner in its class *: And speaking of classes-the Spitfire»» 4 has been placed in Class G by the SCCA, along with the Sprites, 'Spridgets', and the Fiat-Abarths "* Competition options will be »~ available *: As soon as we have the word, bulletins will be mailed to all drivers, and the TSOA Newsletter will carry complete details *: ~» At press time, the dock strike is necessarily affecting deliveries, but your Triumph Dealer will shortly have the Spitfire 4 on display *: Take»

» a look, and see if you don't agree with us that the Spitfire 4 is the smartest thing Standard-Triumph ever did *: ~» »» »~*~*~u*u****************************************************~*~***************************

T:::iOA received the above photograph from Standard-Triumph in England, along with a news release detailingthe fantastic export orders for the Spitfire 4, taken at therecent Earls Court Motor Show, in London. (Which is apretty sneaky way of getting you to read the release...)

Nevertheless, the statistics quoted were impressive. Stand-ard-Triumph secured European export orders for the Spitfire4 totaling over 5112million dollars - 75% of which camefrom countries within the Common Market. But, significant-ly, by far the largest single order for the new car was placedby Martin J. Tustin, President of Standard-Triumph MotorCompany, Inc. Aware of the Spitfire 4's potential in theincreasingly sophisticated U. S. sports car market, Mr.Tustin placed an initial order for 10,000 cars - value 121hmillion dollars. You know, after all that they didn't eventell us the beautiful blonde's name!

TSOA MAILBOX

STOP PRESS

U.S. debut of Triumph's newsports car - Spitfire 4 - took placeat Miami Auto Show, January 10through 17. First reports indicateenthusiastic press and publicreaction. Full report in next month'sTSOA Newsletter.

~rt-l'~'GS~ro COJ'J\£Our thanks to Jack Griffee, Chairman of Triumph

Sports Car Club of New Jersey, for sending along thefollowing news release:

In the beginning all cars were sports cars. Sports carshave been compared to beautiful women, fine watches, andrare wine. The true sports car owner appreciates his car,loves it, cares for it with tender affection, and enjoys driv-ing at all times be it on the local streets, highways or racetrack.

The men and women of Triumph Sports Car Club of NewJersey are members of the organization because they enjoytheir cars and talking "Triumph" with other owners. If asmall group of owners could delight in this fellowship, itwas suggested the club conduct a BIG event for all Triumphowners and invite the faithful followers to a knock-down,drag-out, party-filled, competition-crammed week-end.

As a result of planning since last September, the Triumph-S.C.C.oT iY:J.-will conduct; vn-June 22nd~und 23111, its

TRI-O-RAMA week-end for Triumph sports car owners only.

It matters little if you have ever competed before. As longas you own a Triumph" there will be an event for you -

concours d' elegance, swimming, night rally" technical ses-sions by Standard-Triumph service experts, racing films,cocktail parties, day rally, and final grand banquet. Natur-ally there will be a pile of trophies. Everyone will receivesomething to take home, plus many wonderful memories.

Reservations will be limited to approximately fifty cars.When you hear the low price (to be announced soon) forsuch a tremendous week-end, we know you will not wantto be left out.

Sounds good. We've asked Jack to keep us informed ofdevelopments, and as these are received by us, we'll publishin the Newsletter. For those of you who would like to con-tact him direct, write to:

JACK GRIFFEEChairmanTRI-O-RAMA

Triumph Sports Car Club of New Jersey94 Sanford AvenueEmerson, N. J.

Our -thanks too to -the Publicity Committee ofColorado Associated Triumph Owners, for this "youCAN fight City Hall" story. .

Several years ago a blue-nosed Colorado governor decidedthat public roads and streets - no matter how well guardedand patrolled during an event - were off-limits to races byfire-eating, blood-in-the-eye, maniacal sports car drivers.Town councils and county officials, who rejoiced at thecrowds attending road races and hill climbs, mourned alongwith the idiot drivers. The Pikes Peak climb, as dusty as itis private, remained. There've been viritually no hill climbsworthy of the name open to the average sports car driverin the last half dozen years. Not" that is, until the ColoradoAssociated Triumph Owners took a look at things.

CATO's John Markel not only located a hairy stretch ofblacktop, but got a whole town behind a sports car climb.Tourists know Canon City's Skyline Drive as a skinny, one-

. way road which scrambles and plunges along a frighteninghogback and breeds hysteria among drivers and passengers.John persuaded city officicals to block the private road, send-ing travelers down only in spaced convoys, while we raced up.

The course was measured at nine-tenths of a mile. It in-cluded a square turn, two hairpin turns tight enough tomake long Detroit iron, back and try again, and severalsweeping curves. It started at an elevation of just under5000 feet and climbed another 800. The finish was almostdirectly overhead from the start line, and a mistake any-where after the first hairpin would have eliminated car anddriver permantently.

For CATO, the day was a complete success. In what al-most turned into family monopolies" CATO drivers andtheir TR-3's swept Class E (Dick Allen, 1st OA, Phil Calvertand Teddy Keller), and Ladies' Class (Sandy Allen, OraKeller and Kemp Trainer). -

In addition, the town's officials and merchants were soimpressed with the handling of the climb and the deport-ment of all drivers, that they've invited us back twice in1963, once in the spring and again in the fall. And they'vepromised to resurface the road, with special attention tothe turns.

So, any tourist-types among TSOA members who plantrips to Colorado and would be interested in running canget in touch with Events Chairman, Ora Keller, 2669 SouthlVleade, Denver 19, Colorado. We'll let you know as soonas the dates are firm.

CLASSIFIEDFOR SALE: Aharth Mufflers for TR-3 01' TR-4 - never used, still inoriginal packing - $30 C.O.D. Contact: Lt. Robert E. Ricks, 34 BlackHorse Pike, Runnemede, New Jersey.

FOR SALE: Removable Roll-bar for TR-3, adaptable to TR-4. Meets SCCAspecs. Also have windwings, stick cover, racing windscreen, rear quarterbumpers, shop manual for TR-3, four Michelin X tires (165x15) used5,000 miles. Contact: Dr. Ralph C. Glaze, 3879 Culver Center, Culver City,California.

FOR SALE: Uni-Syn Multiple Carburetor Synchronizer, in perfect con-dition; great for tuning your Triumph TR-2, 3, 4. - First reasonable offer.Contact: J. Kent Pepper, 102 Sunset Dr., Greensboro, N. C.

FOR SALE: 1960 TR-3 - $1,000 - Mandarin Red w /white soft top & sidecurtains, radio, Abarths, wind wings, etc. Contact: R. E. Schnackenberg,2902 Ave. J, Brooklyn 10, N. Y. or, phone for appt. @ BA 4-0773 in Conn.

FOR SALE: 1961 TR-3A, 2138 cc engine, British racing green, black top.tonneau & stick cover, wire wheels, Michelin X tires, overdrive, windshieldwashers, heater, anti-sway bar, seat belts, jump seat, windwings. Adj.steering, Lucas driving, & fog lamps. Everything but a kitchen sink for -$1.500. Contact: Robert P. Crandall, 2120 Ridge Road West, Rochester 15,New York, Phone No. 3-9252.

WANTED: Competition Prepared TR-4. State condition and price. Contact:George Walls, Jr., 1316 Forest Ave., Knoxville, Tennessee.

TSOA SUPERMARKET

TSOA Handbook, , , . . . . . . , , , , , , . , .

"Please Don't Dent Me" cards. . . . . .Local TSOA Club "Calling Cards". .List of Triumph Dealers and Distributors.ST AA Badge, . . . . . . . . , . .Replacement TSOA Badge. . . .Standard Triumph Review Subscriplion.Competition Preparation Booklet.

, . , . . . , . $1.00$1.00/100

. ... .FREE.FREE

. , , , , . . . $1.50. . . . . ,$1.00.$2.50/ year, , . , . ,$1.00

Send Check Or Money Order. No C.O.D.'s please.

The TSOA NEWSLETTER is published monthly bythe Triumph Sports Owners Association, Box 3273,Grand Central Station, New York 17, N. Y. TSOAis a national organization of American sports carenthusiasts who Glen a Triumph Sports Car (TR-2,TR-3, TR-4), Herald Sports Coupe, 1200 Convertible;or Sports Six, or are interested in the purposes of theAssociation. Subscription is included with a $5.00lifetime membership in the club.

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