Herald Vitesse Convertible

[TypeR]

After years of driving Euroboxes, my wife has fallen for a Mk2 Vitesse Convertible.
I'm very keen to get one, but I've no idea what to look out for on a car that's almost as old as me!!
Can anyone recommend a buying guide to help me avoid buying a money pit??

Cheers,

Simon.

[Poledriver]

It's a while since I had one but:-

Check for rust on:=
Chassis, especially outriggers
Door and bootlid bottoms.
other panel edges.

Suspension and steering:-
Play in ball joints
Play in king pins
play in rear suspension
Wheel bearings.

Engine:-
Usual smoke checks for burning oil or over rich mixture
Knocks (I believe there may have been issues with crank thrust washers to stop front/back movement)
Usual engine checks like "mayo" in the oil, rattles etc.
Check clutch doesn't slip, indicative of rear main oil seal leak.

Overall I found it a great little car and would get another if my drive wasn't full!
The engine is quite tough and easy to work on, as is the clutch which can be changed from inside the car in 2 hours.
If you are in doubt, take someone who knows when you go to buy!

Please note, I had mine quite some time ago, but I think my memory was correct when quoting all of the above. I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong!

[sax player]

hi Simon.
Go on the triumph sporting six web site ( TSSC )http://www.tssc.org.uk/
shaun.

[sax player]

Just found your web site simon. You cant beat that black stump!!!!!
shaun.

[TypeR]

sax player said:

Just found your web site simon. You cant beat that black stump!!!!!
shaun.

You're right, can't beat a bottle of Stump on a wet Saturday night!!
I'll check out the Triumph Club site now..
Thanks for the advice,

Simon.

[racingsnake]

I just bought a Vitesse modified for track use with a 2.5/6 in it, 285 cam and all the other good stuff.
It goes like the clappers and im over the moon with it!

Get one they are fantastic little cars imho.

[//j17]

1) Rust.
2) Rust.
3) Rust.

There's nothing too flash or expensive in the engine/transmission/suspension area but rust can cost thousands and take years to fix.

Check the body and chassis for rust, looking for excessive/too-fresh underseal (covering rust rather than metal) and/or slap-a-plate-on-it MOT repairs.

I was actually chatting to John Yarnell (Triumph repair specialist nr High Wycombe) about Vitesse convertibles on Saturday and he said door gaps were also something to look at as they are a real pain to get right with the hood both up and down.

[krusty]

//j17 said:

1) Rust.
2) Rust.
3) Rust.

Mine's in for what I thought was some 'sympathetic restoration' and all was going well until they took the fuel tank / rear seat out. Now I can basically double the initial quote.