Description
1968 Triumph Vitesse rally car with long competition history.
The photos really tell you all you need to know.
The car was subjected to a professional restoration around 3 years ago and the previous owner spent 10s of thousands on the work taking it right back to the chassis, rebuilding it and having it completely repainted inside and out. Believe me it's easy to spend small fortunes on these cars!!!!
I bought this a year ago as a stop gap while my other rally car was being rebuilt, but I have not used it as intended, so its time to move it on to someone who will use it. I should have sold it at the start of the year, but it drives great so well I held on to it.
Mechanically the car is very good and pulls like a train. It has overdrive which works perfectly. We are not sure what the engine is, but we would not be surprised if it is 2. 5ltrs as its very lively. It also has a subtle sports exhaust and 6-1 exhaust manifold. It has twin SU, and electric fan, oil cooler etc. No idea what cam is, I'd say its a standard or mild cam as its not lumpy on idle like my other cars with high lift cams.
Suspension is all uprated with a rear swing spring setup. It handles very well.
The electrics are completely rewired with internal fuses as you'd expect on the real deal. I fitted a larger battery in the last few months too with a better cold cranking power to kick over the big straight 6.
Interior is rally car functional, but tidy. It has Recaro front seats out of a Ford or Vauxhall, not really in keeping with the car, but very functional. There is a rear half cage too, so no room for the kids in the back. It has Brantz trip counter, stop watches and split timers, so it's ready to go.
I put new quality M+S tyres on fairly rare Dunlop period alloys, so lots of tread.
Bodywise, I'm truly picky about my cars and had I planned on keeping this car long term I would not have bought it. For a professional respray its not the best. In my opinion the prepwork was poor, the top of the bonnet is the worst with ripples in it. Around the edges (below the front lights, rear flank next to bumper, sill edges) it is just starting to bubble up. The panel fit of the bonnet is also a bit questionable. The rear chrome overriders are pitted Its not a show car, it's a rally car that has been used, but has a lot of life left in it. Just trying to be as honest as possible, so apologies to however painted it. Its certainly a presentable car and if the paint was and body fit was better this car would be worth twice the price. I'm just trying to be fair and realistic, if not a bit overly pessimistic to avoid any disappointment.
While I've had it it has had new tyres, battery, exhaust manifold gasket, dodgy non-opening passenger door lock fixed, new steering boots and a good service by a friend who has been looking after my cars for decades. There is a bit of a squeak started at low speeds (rolling) so I think one of the rear brake shoes may be binding a little with it sitting about.
its MOT and Tax exempt was FIVA inspected and logged in 2021. It doesn't have an MOT as one is not required to use it on the roads, you may need one to compete though so check with your motorsport club.
There is a mountain of receipts, information and photos of the car.
If you are interested I strongly suggest you come and have a look. It'll only be advertised for a week and then its going back in to storage, so don't think about it too long. The price is firm as its less than the car owes me, but I'm keen to see it get used more.
