1947 TRIUMPH ROADSTER 1800- THE STORY OF ROSIE

I always had a passion for Classic cars. In common with other like minded youngsters I could only dream about really owning one.

As a University student, in the early sixties, the bug really bit when I was given, yes given , a 1932 MG Midget Pre-vintage Thoroughbred, , by a close relative. Worry not, he himself only paid £10 for it about 18 months previously and had a lot of fun with it. It was a runner but needed a lot doing to it. In my position there was no question of having it restored to Concours condition. The doors were secured by bolts, the bodywork hand painted, gearbox with the second gear jumping out and the gear lever knob giving me a nasty thump on the knee and the consequent knee jerk. It was powered by a 10hp Ford engine with only three cylinders fuctioning. The beauty lay in the split windscreen and the slab petrol tank.

A visit to a knacker's yard and £10 lighter on the wallet I was able to " pick your own " similar replacement engine/gearbox unit with no guarantee given or implied. The rest was tarted up...green bodywork with black wings. The stupid name of Hamish replaced by another stupid name of Z-Victor 2. When the fuzz kept stopping me on the A3 asking me to do something about the smoke pouring out from the exhaust, I thought it was time for Z-Victor 2 to go I sold it to a Surgical Registrar for £32. He in indecent haste took it to a Ford Main Dealer, who indecently quoted him £400 for essential repairs. To cut his "losses" he promptly paid £5 to a "Car Breaker" to take it away for scrap. With the car went the Cherished registration plate MG 1856.

This was soon replaced be a 1946 Hillman saloon followed two years later by a Triumph Renown.

Now this did it. I now wished I had bought a Triumph Roadster. I achieved my ambition when in 1985 I bought Rosie, a 1947 1800 Triumph Roadster. Not much is known about Rosie's history. I puchased her from a fish and chip's shop, or rather it owner, also a Greek, in Northampton. She needed total restoration. When I drove it for a short run, I found the steering all over the place. However I did agree to buy it at a very reduced price subject to it passing the MOT. A week later I had a call from the owner and I went to collect the car. My journey back on the M1 was a nightmare. The steering was one thing but the indicator lights were wired wrongly and flashes left when indicating and vice versa. I leave the rest to your imagination.!

The next day when I was giving her a going over not only did I detect this fault but also that the water hoses were devoid of any clips and were sealed by the rust in the water and oil leaking from the rocker cover gasket.

I soon sorted out these amongst other problems to MOT standards and a month later was at The Triumph Roadster Club's 25th Annual Rally in Bristol. She was not the worst car there, just the one but worst.

    Triumph Roadster Car of the year Trophy

Restoration work started in earnest and in in 1989 won the Car of the Year Trophy. The object of the prize is to publicise the msrque in the eyes of the public. She then went on to win the Best 1800 Engine Award at the TRC's 30th Anniversary Rally.

Meanwhile Rosie the attention of the then Events Organiser and I was asked to exhibit Rosie on the Club's stand, firstly at Earl's Court and later at Alexandra Palace.

Best Triumph Roadster 1800 Engine Regular appearances at Classic Car shows followed with Rosie frequently winning a prize for Best in Class. She has been featured in the local newspapers at charity events. She has also featured in Motoring magazines and had a spot in Meridian TV,s Classic Cars series.

Over a period of time, Rosie made it to the Club's Top Twelve in 1998 and 1999.

Receiving the "1800 Triumph Roadster Best Engine Award" from Triumph Roadster Club's President, Bert Harold.

Sadly, in August 1999, whilst returning from a charity event that she was hit in the back and was written off. I was able to keep Rosie and within a few weeks purchased a good example of another 1947 Triumph Roadster, and call her Penny.

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The rain had just stopped. There were not many people around by now. The exhibitors were leaving fast. I started up to join them. A press photographer appeared at the window pleading for a shot of the car with me. We exhibitors never refuse. He could not have had many opportunities that day. This picture was taken. The heavens opened. I drove off. Within the hour Rosie was hit hard in the back and we lying in the ditch and rescued by the emergency services. The only thing I remember is regaining consciousness in hospital.

The following day I was driven to the car recovery site. Having assured the agent that the driver did not die a horrible death, I introduced myself, to his disbelief, as the owner- driver. This is what I saw.

Rosie comes home

Note the broken steering wheel and the bowed bench seat

                                                   The dismantling commences....

I think it is all over

It is now !

Bye Bye Rosie

Welcome Penny

(see http://thetriumphroadster.blogspot.com/ /the story of Penny)

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This item first appeared in Classic Car Monthly in February 2008

Link:  Tiumph Roadster in Classic car Monthly

http://thetriumphroadster.blogspot.com/

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1947 TRIUMPH ROADSTER at BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Friday April 21st 2006 was the 80th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

On Saturday April 22nd, the Parliamentary Classic Car Run assembled at the Houses of Parliament and then, escorted by Metropolitan Police motorcycle outriders, drove to Buckingham Palace to line up on the Parade Ground in front of the Palace. On behalf of Her Majesty, the vehicles were to be inspected by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester.

For this very special occassion, the Run featured eighty British-built vehicles, the year of manufacture of the first being1926, the last being made in 2006, each one representing a year of Her Majesty’s life. It included commercial, military, public service vehicles and of course, motor cycles…. all the iconic products of the British motor industry. I was invited by Richard Burden MP, the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Motor Group, and by Greg Knight MP, the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Historical Vehicles Group, to represent 1946 with my Triumph 1800 Roadster, this being the year my vehicle was first produced. For this unique tribute to the Queen, I was permitted to bring one passenger with me so I asked Ria to accompany me. We were both very conscious of the great honour of being invited to take part in this most prestigious event. All drivers were asked to raise sponsorship funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the charity nominated by Buckingham Palace. The event was a huge success and produced £11,000.

Drivers were asked to arrive at the Houses of Parliament between 10.30am to 11.30am, displaying the very posh RallyPlate, without which admission may have been refused. In light of last year’s terrorist acts in London, security at both The Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace was extremely rigorous. A month before the Event, both Driver and Passenger were asked to complete a “Security Form” with personal details before acceptance was confirmed. We were also asked to provide photographic identification on arrival. On a lighter note, Buckingham Palace requested that all entrants wore the appropriate dress for the period of the vehicle. Where to get the appropriate dress? Fancy dress places did not have a clue. Pictures from the Internet showing early Triumph Roadsters with their drivers were very helpful. Having visited all seven charity shops in Epsom where I live, I was fitted out by Oxfam….a pair of grey flannels with turn-ups for £3. 99, a grey shirt for £2.00 and royal blue braces for £2.00. For another £8.00 a brand new Trilby hat from elsewhere and, using my old tweeds and lace-up shoes, I had the lot! No, I did not have a dummy cigarette dangling from the corner of my mouth because smoking, drinking and food consumption were not allowed whilst at Buckingham Palace. By contrast, Ria wore a very smart black patterned white dress with a white jacket.

On the day, departure from Epsom was at 9.40am to arrive at 10.30am but with some time to spare I slowed down and we took our time to get to the Houses of Parliament at Westminster in good order. On arrival our cars were security-checked ….interior, underside, under bonnet and boot. The marshals then asked us to form up in date order – 1926 onwards. We then wandered around admiring other cars. . The oldest entry was a Bullnose Morris Oxford Tourer representing 1926. The exhibit for 2006 was a Jaguar XK150. Anna Ford was in her Morris Minor. Ex Formula One racing driver, perhaps the greatest racing driver not to win the World Championship, Sir Stirling Moss, was in his Jaguar D-type. Chris Parham was in his rare 1981 De Lorean Others in the show included a Maclaren F1, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, two Police cars, a 1944 Ambulance, and a WW11 Scout car. They came from far and wide... Newcastle, Derbyshire, Scotland and Devon... and Epsom.

At noon we were directed to the Marquee on the Terrace of the House, where tea and biscuits were served……but not before more security checks….airport style… photographic identity, handbags and pockets contents were scanned, walking through a scanner and a body search before a Pass was given. The scene from the Terrace was stunning, an ideal opportunity for a photo with The London Eye as a background. We were then briefed on Protocol…..The Dukeand Duchess to be addressed as ‘Your Highness’ in the first instance, thereafter ‘Sir’ or ‘Mam’…to rhyme with pam, not Marm to rhyme with palm! Yes, we got it. It was compulsory to use the brand new aluminium drip trays that would be provided at Buckingham Palace. Everyone used them, but you know, one would have thought every car had a leaking radiator seeing the positioning of them.

The Police motorcycle escort from the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace was carried out in four groups of 20 cars: 1926 to 1945; 1946 to 1965; 1966 to 1985 and finally 1986 to 2006, at ten minute intervals from 1.50pm.
Because we represented 1946, we were the leader of our group and I had a moment of great pride, the best moment of my ownership of my Roadster, Penny when, to the cheers of the assembled crowds, we swept in through the gates of Buckingham Palace at the head of the procession, escorted by police outriders, and with no other car in front of us!

In beautiful sunny weather we lined up on the Parade Ground in front of Buckingham Palace to be inspected by TheDuke of Gloucester. He saw 80 cars in 40 minutes and, because of a recent motorcycle accident, he was walking with the aid of a stick. On viewing my car the Duke said, “What a lovely car. Do you spend a lot of time in Jersey? What isthe SVVS all about?” pointing to the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society badge on the car. Pictures were taken of each entrant meeting the Duke and then off he went to the next car. We were relieved it was all over, or was it? Pride comes before a fall ...About a quarter of an hour later John Cole, the organiser of the event, strolled along to my car accompanied by a very pretty lady sporting a “RR” logo on her jacket, obviously a fellow driver of an ancient Rolls Royce! And he said to her, “This is Terry Mistry and Ria, and Terry will tell you all about his lovely car”, and then he buzzed off with another lady with a clipboard. “Well Terry”, the lady said, “How long have you had this car?........Did you have to do a lot of work on it since you had it Terry? ……… What a nice dashboard ……..the hood looks new ……I guess you drive with the hood down most of the time, don’t you Terry? This car is not very easy to handle is it? The colour is not the original grey is it? “ No, it is grey with a hint of blue” said I. “But what is the colour called? ..Where did you start your journey today? Very nice, very nice…..have a safe journey back Terry…..Bye.” It was all very, very casual. I did not ask her how herRoller was behaving, or whether she had been to Buck House before …or God forbid, “ I’m sorry, I did not catch your name?”. Just as well because, as she left, Ria gave me a nudge and told me I had been speaking to the Duchess of Gloucester Protocol had gone through the window; no bow, no ‘Mam’ and I was speaking to her with one hand in my pocket, leaning on my car. Well, how was I to know she was not just one of my Buddies? She could have been. I was thoroughly ashamed! I have often ben told "Can't take you anywhere!” Quite.

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At around 4.30pm the gates were opened and we had an uneventful journey home.

Terry Mistry

These two items from Classis and Sports Cars

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ROYAL DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY and 1947 Triumph Roadster

All Party Parliamentary Classic Car Run-2008

The All Party Parliamentary Classic Car Run is an annual event organised by the All Party Parliamentary Motor Group to raise funds for Charities.

I have been regularly invited to participate in this Run since 2001, because of my past and present fundraising activities. This year I was invited to participate in the Classic Car Run in my Triumph 1800 Roadster, (affectionally called Penny), on Tuesday 18 th March 2008. It was to commemorate the Diamond Wedding anniversary of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Actually, the anniversary was on Tuesday November 20th 2007 but the event was held in the Spring as more suitable to vehicle owners than late November.

In previous years 75 cars of various vintages, from sixty Counties decended on The Houses of Parliament on a Saturday. Because our Representatives in both Houses were working on the Tuesday (or collecting their allowances), we assembled at Horse Guards Parade, which was closed, to the public. Drivers were thus free to photograph their favourite cars.

For this very special occasion the Run featured sixty British vehicles, which were in production in 1947, each one representing a year of Her Majesty’s married life. It included commercial, military and public service vehicles, cars and motorcycles – Hillman Minx, Riley, Austin Devon, Morris 10, Armstrong Siddeley, Bedford - all the ionic products of the British Motor industry. It was nostalgia. As a teenager in Cape Town, I learned to drive in an Austin of that era and as a medical student I owned a 1946 Hillman Minx. I was able to speak to their respective drivers. This really made my day extra special.

Drivers were asked to raise funds for Leukaemia Research and the Stroke Association. We were asked, if we could, to wear period dress. It was quite fun, everyone joining in, in the spirit of the occasion.
The event was sponsored by PD Insurance Ltd.

We then drove in convoy to the Tower of London where we lined up on the Wharf in front of Traitor’s Gate overlooking Tower Bridge. Later we proceeded to the Armouries for light refreshments. HRH The Duke of Kent and Peter James were present to warmly welcome the Drivers and circulated amongst them. Here we handed in our donations to representatives of both charities.

It was announced that we raised £6,000. The charities say that there is a lot more to come and hopefully achieve five figures. We then returned to our cars to find masses of visitors taking photos of the vehicles. On behalf of Her Majesty, HRH The Duke of Kent inspected the vehicles and spoke to each driver. After inspecting Penny, he commented “ a very elegant car.” Here was Royal approval for Penny and not for the first time!

To conclude the event, a private viewing of the Crown Jewels was arranged for all participants. I had not seen them before, so I was especially pleased. Sadly, I could not bring any home. As consolation, for £30 I bought “Outrage” which shows one how to steal the Crown Jewels. What an investment !

As you can tell, it was a great occasion, a very successful day, a day to remember.

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TRIUMPH ROADSTER 1947 and MacMILLAN CANCER RELIEF

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I was invited to participate in the The All Party Parliamentary Classic car Run on July 8th 2000 and again in 2001 in Penny, my 1947 1800 Triumph Roadster, representing Epsom.

Joining me was Helen Young who had then recently become the first female chief of the BBC's weather broadcasting team, managing luminaries such as Michael Fish and John kettley. Before our departure she was available to sign autographs and collect any donations which local shoppers wished to hand in.

We were waved off from the Clock Tower in Market Square by the deputy Mayor Cllr. Eber Kington and the then prospective Conservertive parliamentary canditate Chris. Grayling.

As we arrived at the Palace of Westminster we were greeted by motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss OBE . and photographed with him and our car. We then had tea on the terrace after which Sir Stirling presented all those taking part in the Run with special mementos bearing the logo of the famous portcullis. The event organised by the Parliamentary All-Party Motor Group in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, raised a record breaking £23,000. We were congratulated as the third most successful individual entry, having raised over £1,400 and received a prize. A

total of 70 Classic cars from around the country took part in the Run, the oldest was a 1914 Rover from Stoke Mandeville and the furthest travelled a 1950 Bentley MK VI driven by a vicar from Liverpool.

Richard Burden MP (Birmingham Northfield) and chair of the All-Party Motor Group - whose own constituency takes in the motor manufacturing heartland of Longbridge - took part in the run in a 1972 Rover P5B which had originally been the official car of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, on loan from the Historic Motor Centre at Gaydon .

The event was sponsored by Footman James and Company, specialist vehicle motor insurance brokers in the West Midlands.

In 2001 I was again invited by the All-Party Motor Group to participate in their Classic Car Run and again the benefiting Charity would be MacMillan Cancer Relief.

On this occassion my travelling companion was Sarah Wilmhurst, meteorologist at the BBC Weather Centre. Before we departed, Sarah made herself available to sign autographs and collect any donations from local shoppers.

Chris. Grayling MP for Epsom and Ewell together with The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr. Alan Carlson and the Lady Mayoress waved us off from the Clock Tower. On our arrival at the Palace of Westminster we were greeted by Murray Walker, F1 Motor racing commentator. After we had our photographs taken with him and Penny, tea` was taken on the terrace in the House. This was followed by the presentations made byMurray Walker. Thereafter, participants and their guests were taken on a tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords (optional) by a member of the Group.