Triumph Herald 1200 convertible

"Sign" of the times?

In October 2002, I managed to battle my way to an eBay win on a 1965 Triumph Herald 1200 convertible. (OK, actually I submitted the only bid...for $50!) Apparently, the car -- having been left over following restoration of another Herald, spent much of the previous decade atop the roof of an auto body shop in Woburn, MA as an advertising sign.

Alas, it is only a parts car, but a good one. The bonnet is in very good shape, as is the 12/50-style grille. The windshield is clear and crack-free. Various lamps and lenses and brightwork are all serviceable, as are the front suspension bits and possibly the one rear axle assembly. Provision was made to keep water from collecting inside, and the entire car was painted in "shop" color, as you can see by the pictures of the car next to the shop! All that helped preserve what was left of the car, although there is the slight nuisance of all hinged panels being screwed and/or brazed shut!

Perhaps I could mount it on my barn somehow? Naaaah....

At first glance, a relatively normal Herald, right? One soft front tire, and maybe a bit of rust on the door bottom, but other than that....

Still "not too shabby," right? Well....

OK, what's this...jack stand? Hub truing tool? Snow ski? Truth is, I have no idea why the RR corner was held up with this stand!

OK, enough speculation. Time to load it onto the trailer. Since it doesn't roll very well....

...a more expedient method of transport was employed. Note one of the two surviving "Air-Flow" wheel covers on the LF wheel; the other is on the LR wheel. It appears that this is the side that faced the street. At one time, there was some sort of placard on the door.

To the trailer! Note extreme rear camber. Two reasons for this: one, there is no differential to locate the center of the transverse spring; and two, the axle shaft is broken off just beyond the hub! That spring is pretty good still; it was not an easy job to "pull out" that wheel so that the car would sit better when dropped on the trailer.

The "repair" plate reverted to the owners of the body shop shortly after this photo was taken. Presumably it was required to maintain a facade of legality for the period of time during which the car resided on the ground awaiting a new owner (me).

Secured to my trailer and ready for its final journey!

If, like me, you find yourself humming the theme to "The Flintstones," it's ok. At least Fred had seats! Floors appear to have been torched out to prevent water from collecting inside the body during the car's stay atop the roof of the shop.

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11/11/02