Description
This is a three owner car having had very little use.
MOT until 28th August but will renew prior to sale.
I've owned the car since February 2023.
Majority refurbished and modified as per description below. Having a longstanding itch to own a three wheeler, the opportunity presented itself to acquire this car. Being involved in race car engineering since the early 1980’s I admired the design of the Triking, particularly the Type 1 with its similarities to the Lotus Elan front chassis and suspension self-evident. These things are all personal preference and the petite stature of the Type 1 appealed. Subsequent Types, beautifully crafted as they are, are wonderful machines but just like the evolution of the Lotus 7 to Caterham the longer, wider chassis cater for a larger (literally) driver pool.
At a stout framed 5’ 7” with average size feet, comfort and driving is fine but my car is not for anyone larger or taller than 6' 0". I have a file setting out its interesting early history detailing the association between original owner/ builder and Tony Divey, I bought the car from its second owner, a friend of the first, with just 5800 miles covered since its build in 1987.
I wanted to tailor the car to personal preference. I always considered the early Morgan three-wheelers and others of its type to be a cheap form of motoring so I wished to replicate that appearance with a more austere appearance. I also wanted to incorporate period correct instrumentation, switchgear and other controls. Finally, I chose to dispose of the cleverly engineered one piece tail moulding with a more usable storage space.
Modifications completed:-
One draw back of the early chassis is the requirement to remove the powerplant to affect an oil change, hardly practical, so we have engineered a removable cross-member giving unencumbered access to the sump. I’ve just carried out an oil change in the process plus changing the lubricants in the gearbox and bevel drive.
The one-piece top cover is secured by 4 no. Dzus slide latches plus 4 lifting handles so front panel removal is much simplified.
The original hub mounted mudguards whose stays kept breaking have been replaced with flowing body mounted wings.
Aluminium period exhaust boxes are fitted fed by stainless steel pipes from the newly re-plated headers.
New throttle and choke cables are fitted, most of the wiring has been replaced.
An external handbrake is utilised giving far more positive feel and action, activating both the front and rear master cylinders which too benefit from a new and improved balance bar assembly. Pedal pads are fitted with expanded metal covers to aid grip.
The steering now has a period looking item (see above photograph) much the same as an early Morgan, it is fitted with a quick release hub aiding ingress and egress and providing a useful security benefit.
The gear change is unique with a near column mounted lever, literally at your fingertips whilst steering. One up, four down with a much more positive action and feel than the original fitment but being a Guzzi, with an agricultural type gearbox, you still need to be firm. There is no reverse gear.
All instrumentation and switchgear is period type with original chronometric tachometer and speedometer professionally refurbished and correctly calibrated. All of this fitted within a bespoke solid timber and phenolic laminate dashboard.
The glove cubby box has a light and a twin USB point charger, discreetly mounted. There is a classic two pin power take off on the dash and a tyre compressor is included which plugs straight in.
Seats and backrest have been reupholstered, again in a classic look of the 1930’s period. Floorboards are varnished plywood and side footwell vents added for period look and ventilation.
There is the usual storage behind the seats plus a battery isolator.
As for the back end, the chassis was extended with box section and aluminium panelling and a useful boot area created. This is of sufficient size to accommodate all the hood, hood frames and tonneau which come with the car plus more useful space for additional storage. Access is via a lift up top cover, also in aluminium plus a rear boot lid which includes a useful basket rack.
Inside the boot there is a larger, foam-filled aluminium fuel tank with period filler and a rear wheel hugger. The hugger has an access hole to check tyre pressure.
The rear hugger can be removed to facilitate the plywood boot floor, removal which is retained by six bolts, giving total access to the swing arm and wheel for servicing purposes if required. Bevel box oil changes can be done without removal of either of these items.
New uprated rear Hagon spring damper units are fitted giving a slightly raised rear ride height.
Mechanically the car is sound but it’s not concourse with signs of its age showing on some components, wishbone plating for example but if a new owner chose to improve these items it would be relatively simple.
I have a comprehensive file detailing everything purchased and I know whoever might buy this car will be paying a fraction of the cost to build, but as the old adage goes “its cheaper to buy other peoples’ work”.
