Description
THE REASON I describe this gorgeous Herald 12/ 50 as a total one-off is as follows:
I owned it earlier in the year but wasn't happy with the way it was running. I sold it to a good friend of mine who happens to be one of the UK's leading gurus when it comes to Triumphs and how to rebuild them, improve them, repair them.
He loves to do the work and then sell his finished classics. So overwhelmed was I with his work that I bought it back just last week and here it is.
These 12/ 50s were the Herald GT option back in the day. Compared to the basic 1200 saloon, their bhp was lifted from 37 to 51, they came with webasto sunroof, disc brakes, different front grille etc.
After major surgery in the past few months, this baby now flies like a Spitfire on rails with a bhp of around 73!
It's a wolf in sheep's clothing. A "Herald GT" that really does come with the performance and handling that perhaps it always should have had.
Here is a list - not exhaustive - of work done these past few months.
* Brand new rear driveshafts
* Alternator conversion
* 13/ 60 dashboard
* Full engine rebuild with +40 rebore, 10 thousand grind on mains/ big ends. Timing chain. Gears - new timing sprocket.
* New pistons
* Full cylinder head rebuild. New guides, valves and springs
* Spitfire 2 4-branch manifold
* Re-con pair of HS2 twin carbs with modified needles
* NOS 4-synchro Spitfire/ Toledo gearbox
* New gearstick bush kit
* Re-con hybrid Herald/ Spitfire propshaft
* Refurb bell housing
* Rear brake cylinders and shoes
* New brake master
* New clutch master
* NOS clutch and release bearing
* Spitfire 2 springs front and rear.
ON TOP OF THE ABOVE, the seats - front and back - have been professionally re-trimmed and have new bases etc making them probably better than new!
This Herald drives like a dream, sticking to the road like glue and naturally, as you would expect after all the work, she handle magnificently. Heralds are naturally low cars to begin with, but this one gives you true sports car driving.
There are some areas on the two-tone paintwork where she has been lovingly polished through to primer but she is rock solid with a great chassis - before anyone asks me the question!
So, a total one-off and a true gem. Be quick. Thanks for reading. Martin (Martin Howey Classics, Est 30 years).
