"twochevrons" (twochevrons)
06/22/2016 at 21:54 • Filed to: of happenings, triumph, family
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"twochevrons" (twochevrons)
06/22/2016 at 21:54 • Filed to: of happenings, triumph, family | 18
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So, many months ago, I made a post asking for advice on importing vehicles under the 25 year rule. Well, today, after significant expenditure and many grey hairs, my much-loved Triumph 2000 Estate has joined me in the US.
For those of you that haven’t seen my all-too-frequent posts about it, this car is exceptionally special to me. It was purchased new by my grandfather in 1968, followed them to New Zealand when they emigrated from the UK in the ‘70s, and served as my grandparents’ daily driver for 47 years. My grandmother only stopped driving it recently, reasoning that now she’s in her 80s, she might like something less maintenance-intensive, with modern amenities like an automatic transmission and power steering.
It is the subject of countless family stories, fond memories and adventures. Most importantly though, it was my late grandfather’s pride and joy, and to me, there is nothing that is more symbolic of him than this car. Throughout my life, he owned newer cars as well – I remember an E21 3-series and later, an Audi 80 – but they were always the second-choice car next to the Triumph, and certainly didn’t have the staying power. It’s a real testament to his fastidious care of it that it, a ‘60s era car, has survived nearly a half century of daily use, including a significant amount of boat- and caravan-towing. Admittedly the yearly mileage doesn’t average out to all that much, but 200,000 miles on a car of that era is pretty respectable, and it still feels remarkably fresh.
My plan for the car is to ‘conserve’ it and just enjoy it as it is. It would be a solid candidate for a full restoration, but to do so would erase so much of the patina and character that the car has acquired over the years. Sure, there’s some rust that will need seeing to, but in my eyes, the faded carpet, worn leather and sun-cracked paint all add to the car, rather than detract from it. It shows all the signs of having been used and enjoyed during its life, and to turn it into a concours garage-queen would be completely missing the point. Far better it continue to be used and enjoyed as a ‘living’ tribute to my grandfather.
LongbowMkII
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:00 |
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Triumph wagon?
Congrats by my complete lack of authority, I name you King of Oppo for the day.
Don't let it go to your head.
Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:02 |
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That's a fantastic looking car.
smobgirl
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:03 |
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That's fantastic! I love that you have all the photos to go with it. What a lovely little wagon!!
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:07 |
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Wow, nice job.
Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:09 |
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Congrats, that is awesome. I 2nd your nomination to king
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twochevrons
> smobgirl
06/22/2016 at 22:27 |
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I have EVERYTHING to go with it. Owner’s manual, warranty booklet, tons of receipts – even the original invoice (£1611, including dealer-installed towing kit, wing mirrors and fog lights).
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smobgirl
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:32 |
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That's too cool. What a treasure.
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:41 |
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That is really cool! t’ that really so,etching special you've got there. Not even jealous, just like legit excited for you.
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twochevrons
> Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
06/22/2016 at 22:44 |
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Thanks! Maybe I’m just a bit biased, but it has got to be one of my favourite station wagon shapes. The proportions really work, and I love the combination of ‘60s flair with sensible British restraint.
Having said that, its amazing how well they pulled it off, given that the station wagon was actually built by a separate company (incidentally the one that makes London Black Cabs today) that took completed sedan body shells and grafted their own sheetmetal onto the back!
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Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 22:50 |
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They took a sedan and made a wagon. That looks like it was made from the ground up to a a wagon.
cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 23:01 |
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This is good Oppo. I love that its staying in the family and staying loved. I’d actually like to shoot a video on it for Driving.ca if you’re interested. Where are you located?
shop-teacher
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 23:05 |
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That is all kinds of awesome! That’s fantastic that you’ll be able to preserve it, enjoy it, and continue making memories in it.
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twochevrons
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
06/22/2016 at 23:12 |
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Thanks! That means a lot. I’m in St. Paul, MN, but if you can make it here, I would be more than happy for it to be featured. Alternatively, depending where you are in Canada, a road trip might be an option. Add another country to the list of places it’s been.
Amoore100
> twochevrons
06/22/2016 at 23:46 |
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SUPER AWESOME. I will be expecting updates; that is an amazing longroof!
RallyWrench
> twochevrons
06/23/2016 at 00:11 |
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That is a wonderful, wonderful car, with an equally wonderful story. I’m glad it’s now with you and will see continued use, and hugely respect your decision to resist a restoration.
I have my grandpa’s old Lancia in the garage, and while it unfortunately fell into neglect for over a decade before he passed, I have a similar plan for it. Hard to beat decades of family history.
4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> twochevrons
06/23/2016 at 03:37 |
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This is excellent. Well done, and all the best with it. I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze another 200,000 out of it.
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> twochevrons
06/23/2016 at 03:39 |
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This is excellent. Well done, and all the best with it. I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze another 200,000 out of it.
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twochevrons
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
06/23/2016 at 08:05 |
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Oh, I fully intend to! The original plan was to drive it the 2000-odd miles home from the port, but time constraints and the fear of registration difficulties put paid to that.
There are definitely road trips in its future, though. It’s an excellent highway cruiser.
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cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
> twochevrons
06/23/2016 at 08:49 |
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I’m based a fair ways away in Toronto but as luck would have it I’ll be out to New Holstein Wisconsin twice in the coming months. Perhaps we could meet there for a shoot? Send me an email to clayton.seams@gmail.com if you’re interested.
Dru
> twochevrons
06/23/2016 at 08:59 |
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This is good oppo.