theMillwatermag
millwatermotors We glimpsed a very rare British classic on the streets of Millwater last month and we just had to meet the proud owners and learn more. Mark Newby not only has cars in his blood but has had bikes all his life, too. He still has his off-road trail bike but the Aprilia was sold so that he and wife Trina could enjoy special trips out together, with the end result being the delicious Mark 1 Triumph Vitesse that we see here. They bought the car off a guy in Birkenhead in February this year. Growing up in Mairangi Bay and going to Rangitoto College, Mark served his apprenticeship as an auto electrician, although nowadays he is a skilled marine engineer working on the systems and ancillaries on all sorts of craft, including some large and very expensive cruise boats. “The fact that the Vitesse is 50 years old didn’t faze me,” said Mark, “My background is such that I knew I could tackle any potential issues that might come up, and in fact there have been remarkably few.” Steering and universal joints have been tightened and the car drives extremely well – and the straight-6 engine sounds just wonderful. Rimmer Bros in Bracebridge Heath in the UK have been the source of some hard-to-get spares, but a great stock of these came along with the car when they bought it, as did one of the most complete sets of documentation we have seen – including the original NZ-new registration document for 6 June 1968. “The chrome trim spares that came with the
car are like gold dust, because they are just no longer available,” Mark added. The Triumph Herald, when launched in the UK, had then the tightest turning circle of any car (7.6m). The Triumph Vitesse 2-litre 6-cylinder 95hp was launched in 1966, with the same crisp handling. The engine is the same as was fitted in the Triumph GT6 coupé, and both had claimed 0-60mph times of under 12 seconds (which was reasonably quick in those days, when Triumph advertised the 2-litre to be the ‘2-seaterbeater’). The Mk2 Vitesse followed in late 1968. “Trina and I aren’t interested in big thirsty V8s,” Mark told us, “we prefer the classic old-school style of the Vitesse. We take it out regularly on long runs, sometimes with mates who also have classic cars but often just the two of us heading out somewhere nice for a meal.” The lovely motor you see here is the original spec 1998cc, 95hp, twin Stromberg side-draught carburettors, 4-speed manual without overdrive (this came later in the Mk2), original wheels and no power steering. Ignition by distributor, points and condenser are original, with the sometimes retrofitted electronic ignition upgrade being shunned. It was obvious from the happy smiles on the faces of Mark and Trina as they stood proudly alongside their gleaming classic Triumph Vitesse that this is much, much more than just a car – it really is their pride and joy!
