TR Action 254
After reading the article on overdrives in TR Action 249, I contacted Peter Eggington of Overdrive Services, Killamarsh, which is in our White Rose area, to ask if he would give a talk to our members on overdrives. Peter was very willing to accommodate us and arrangements were made to visit his headquarters on 24th September. Myself and eight other members arrived in our TRs at Peter’s company workshop at 10am and were greeted by Peter himself. After a short introduction, followed by a very welcome cup of tea, Peter started the programme by giving us a quick tour around his workshop and giving us a brief on his background. After leaving school he started an apprenticeship at the Laycocks factory based in Sheffield, joining his father who had also worked there many years. IN 1995 he left Laycocks to start his own business repairing and overhauling overdrives. Peter’s son Richard is also following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.
We had a very enjoyable and fascinating time with Peter explaining the intricacies of both stripping down and rebuilding an ‘A’ type overdrive.
We would like to thank Peter for his time and effort, given to make this visit so very worthwhile.
I am sure you will not believe that the next port of call was to a local pub to have a couple of pints and bacon/cheese melt sandwich. All in all, a very good and satisfying few hours.
TR Action 253
What a super IWE at Harrogate – among the best we have ever had. This is the opinion of around 95% of our group members; loads of other members seemed to think the same. My wife Barbara, also a TR nut, spied a jewellery stand there which cost me an arm and a leg. I warned her that the earrings might blow off when driving in the TR, but she was not convinced. My wallet was further emptied – but after all, you cannot take it with you – after purchasing more parts for my ongoing TR restoration (see Rebuilders).
I met a couple of new White Rose members there – Simon Gregory who has just bought a very low mileage two owner early white TR6, and Simon Geyde who recently purchased a sapphire TR6. I also met two former White Rose Group leaders – David Axe and Brian Whittle. The combined age of all three of us was around 200 years – are we the genuine Old Farts? Or not? Any other answers on a postcard, please.
Congratulations are in order, to Chris Bowns for winning the Pride of Ownership with his immaculate red TR2. At our recent meeting, we tried desperately to persuade Chris to fill the large winner’s cup with suitable refreshment to toast his success, but to no avail. Don’t worry Chris, there is more than one way to skin a cat….
Our Group meetings continue to have large turn-outs. I had a lift to our July meeting in Andrew’s newly restored TR6. After many months, with a little help from myself, I have to say it is a cracker, with door gaps to die for. One of the beautires about being a member of the TR Register is that members club together to help and assist each other. I helped with Andrew’s restoration and he has come along to my house and done some welding on my TR5 restoration!
I enjoyed Peter Jones’ very funny tale in the last TR Action, about keeping warm in his TR; well done Peter.
Two of our newer members, Paul & Jill, have now purchased a TR6. We are all looking forward to seeing this at our next meeting. Local events for our Group are a bit thin on the ground this year, but the meetings and camaraderie are superb.
Please check our website for the latest updates and keep me posted if you have anything you want say about anything TR.
TR Action 250
Good news at last (I think) – I am back and as som of our members know very well, I cannot be got rid of very easily. Only joking (honest).
We have had five new members join our ranks, including Paul and Carol, who are in the market for a TR6. They have attended a couple of our monthly meetings to discuss their requirements and also seek advice from our members. They are still looking but I am sure that it will not be very long before they have the car of their dreams. Also, Simon who has purchased a Sapphire blue TR6, has made contact. His car has a blueprinted engine, single pipe exhaust, K&N, six branch manifold, 123 distributor and a fast cam. He tells me that he is disappointed with the performance but he is joining up with us at the next meeting when some of our more knowledgeable members can point him in the right direction.
Our monthly meetings have been well attended despite the awful freezing weather in the first three months of the year, and quite a few events for this coming summer are being planned as I write. I have had a word with Peter at his Overdrive Services company which is located in our neck of the woods to arrange a visit to his premises for a conducted tour. His headquarters are quite small but Peter has willingly agreed to these tours, with a limit of 6/7 members at a time, spread over a few weeks. Also, I am sure that many members know that the last surviving Vulcan bomber is stored at Robin Hood airport (more famously known as Finningley) and I am in the process of organising a visit to see this icon and go to a nearby watering hole for lunch. Martin and Norma (TR250) are sorting out details for a Tulip styled run of around 100 miles. Jeff Pickering (TR6) has sent me details of car show and Sunday runs etc.
Paul (TR4A which he restored around two years ago) also has a TR2, and has been beavering away on his restoration and the body shell is almost ready for the paint shop. Meanwhile, his brother Chris (TR4A) also has a TR2 on which he has just completed the restoration. It looks resplendent in red paint (see photo). Chris, I am extremely worried about the co-driver.
Meanwhile, the restoration of my TR5 is coming along quite well; the chassis is restored and rolling. The next stage is the all-important body shell work. More in Rebuilders shortly. Not forgetting Andrew who has spent over eighteen months restoring his Sapphire TR6. The body shell has been collected from the paint shop and mounted back on the chassis. Andrew hopes his car will be completed in a very few short weeks and ready in time for the long hot summer that lies just around the corner...
If you have any views, comments, ideas etc on how you would like our White Rose Group to go forward, please get in touch with Peter. Contact details are in WOHFTB. Any interesting stories can be put up on the White Rose web site. Don't forget the IWE at Harrogate this year, 29-31 July. If any member wishes to enter his car in the Harewood Hill Climb on Friday 29th July details of entry can be found in TR Action or on the Register web site.
