Topic: Solved NIC#664 - Triumph Special of Rivers-Fletcher

[nicanary]

What is this car, and who is driving it?

[nicanary]

Experts?

[Willie McCrum]

Is this one of Mr Wheatcrofts creations....?

[nicanary]

Is this one of Mr Wheatcrofts creations....?

Not that I'm aware of. I know the ones you mean, can't remember what they were called, but AFAIK this is not related to them.

[nicanary]

Pros?

[Djetset]

About to catch a plane, so can't recall the full answer right now, but I seem to recall that this is Triumph based (possibly Herald/Spitfire)..,

[nicanary]

About to catch a plane, so can't recall the full answer right now, but I seem to recall that this is Triph based (possibly Herald/Spitfire)..,

Yes it is Triumph based. I'll lock it for you because I think you know what it is.....

I don't know how long you'll be on the plane but I'll lock it for 24 hours.

[Djetset]

Thank you for the Lock Nicanary. My flight has now safely landed, but I'm not too much the wiser about this car, which seems to be known as the Triumph Racing Car. 

It was built c.1990 from the remains of a Triumph GT6 with a 2.5-litre engine, and is co-owned by Yve Rivers-Fletcher, who I think may be driving the car.  It has competed at many circuits and hillclimbs in the UK, including wins this year (2016) as Prescott and Wiscombe. Does this help?

[nicanary]

Thank you for the Lock Nicanary. My flight has now safely landed, but I'm not too much the wiser about this car, which seems to be known as the Triumph Racing Car. 

It was built c.1990 from the remains of a Triumph GT6 with a 2.5-litre engine, and is co-owned by Yve Rivers-Fletcher, who I think may be driving the car.  It has competed at many circuits and hillclimbs in the UK, including wins this year (2016) as Prescott and Wiscombe. Does this help?

That's all I wanted to know, because that's also all that I know about the car. As you say, it's well known on the hillclimb circuit, but there's hardly any information about the car on the internet.

The point is yours.

(PS the donor car dates from 1968 and I have the driver as Jeremy Rivers-Fletcher, although no doubt it is driven at times by various members of the family).

[Hiawatha]

I have it as Triumph Vitesse based with a modified Wheatcroft formula classic body. Also driven by Stuart Anderson

[Djetset]

I have it as Triumph Vitesse based with a modified Wheatcroft formula classic body. Also driven by Stuart Anderson

Mechanically the Triumph Vitesse and GT6 are the same thing, as the GT6 is based on the Herald/Vitesse chassis.  I spoke to the owner of this car earlier this year, who told me it is based on the remains of a GT6, and as you say, the body seems to be derived from a Wheatcroft Formula Classic.

[nicanary]

I'd forgotten all about Tom's abortive attempt at that series - I think only one or maybe two races ever happened. It mystifies me to this day - very unlike Tom IMHO. I think there were something like 20/30 cars completed and stored so perhaps Kevin sold them off just to make space for his "alternative" collection of machinery.

Obviously I feel badly about diverting Willie McCrum's suggestion earlier in this thread. He was on the right track and could well have solved the puzzle if I had not dismissed his question. In the circumstances I will assume that his follow-up sleuthing would have found the answer and I award him a point.

Many thanks to all those who provided more information about this car.

[Carnut]

I have it as Triumph Vitesse based with a modified Wheatcroft formula classic body. Also driven by Stuart Anderson

I once tried to buy a car from Stuart Anderson many many years ago, but he wouldn't budge on the price!
20 years later he accompanied me as a Professional driver when I drove a racing saloon around Donington Park, but he didn't remember me.
He's a nice guy who's had some bad luck in life.

[nicanary]

Willie McCrum - PM sent.

[oko94]

It sports an odd set of wheels for a vintage-looking single seater.