I Found a Barn Find Yesterday

"Denver Is Stuck In The 90s" (denver80222)
10/07/2014 at 13:17 Х Filed to: DOTS, Barnfind

My Mom and I were out looking at foreclosed condos nearby after school. This was in one of the parking spots at one of the complexes.

I finally understand barnfinds. I wanted to both jump out of my skin and make love to it all at the same time. The dirt was talking to me. It was like the Triumph was a Veteran, The dirt was its purple heart, and it couldnt help but show me its medal. The owner's neighbor came out and I talked with him for a bit. Apparently its been sitting there for 14 odd years and the owner has driven it twice in that time period. This is the Second Triumph Herald I have ever seen in the wild, and also the second White one. I feel like I just met the queen, it was a wonderful experience to see that car with that much patina. Nothing else like it.

DISCUSSION (25)

Your boy, BJR > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/07/2014 at 13:18

I'm not gonna tell you you should buy it, butЕ.

ЕЕDUDE BUY THAT SHIT RIGHT NOW!!!!!

jariten1781 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/07/2014 at 13:22

Registration is up to date. Are old cars exempt from inspections in CO or is the guy pulling it out ever year or two to drive it to the inspection station?

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/07/2014 at 13:25

Kinja'd!!!

Great cars! All mechanicals are identical to Spitfires. And you get a usable back seat. Every now and again you come across the 6 cylinder version, the Vitesse Sports 6. A mildly worked over Herald is my next project, provided I can find a good car to start with.

Steve in Manhattan > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/07/2014 at 13:32

Where are the mast and sails?

Your boy, BJR > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
10/07/2014 at 13:36

Great cars! All mechanicals are identical to Spitfires.

Something doesn't add up here.

Full disclosure: I'm not putting down, just poking fun. My grandpa raced a TR3 in Hillclimbs in the early 60s, and I'm totally smitten with DEM BRITS.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Your boy, BJR
10/07/2014 at 13:53

OK...I admit, the pot shots at British cars get tired after about 15-20 years in the industry. Lucas, warm beer...Lord of darkness, yadda, yadda. The problem is that it stops people from purchasing these cars because they think these cars are worse to deal with than any other car from the 60's and that is just not accurate.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Steve in Manhattan
10/07/2014 at 13:58

Kinja'd!!!

Nothing > jariten1781
10/07/2014 at 14:10

Collector plates are every 5 years here. So, it could've been pulled out in 2010, and parked since then. No inspection here, just emissions, depending on county.

twochevrons > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
10/07/2014 at 16:26

Agreed. I think that often what is intended as loving banter ends up being taken as truth. Case in point: My MGA leaks far less oil than my much newer Volvo.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Steve in Manhattan
10/07/2014 at 16:30

HA!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Nothing
10/07/2014 at 16:31

It was in arapahoe, I dont think emissions are required

Nothing > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/07/2014 at 16:54

It does, nearly anything front range/ Denver metro area requires emissions. I always make sure to drive by the one on Park Ave/I-70 when emissions is up on any of my cars that require emissions (new cars are exempt for 5 years). Drive by twice within 6 months of renewal and pass, and you don't have to go to one of the emissions stations.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > twochevrons
10/07/2014 at 16:55

Exactly. I had a 68 Spitfire that NEVER left me stranded in the two years I owned it. Even when the generator went out it still got me where I was going before I had to fix it.

twochevrons > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
10/07/2014 at 17:36

I can't say the same about my MGA, but then again, I dragged it out of a shed where it had sat for 30 years, changed the fluids, rubber parts and brake hydraulics, then started driving it to see what would break. Even so, the only things that have gone wrong have been a water pump (which I think was probably on the way out when the car was put away), and a fuel tank full of rust causing a few fuel pump and carburettor issues.

There's a lot to be said for simplicity Ц there's really very little to go wrong, so if you can get on top of things (and on such a simple car, that's easy), you have a good chance of making it extremely reliable.

My parents owned a 1976 Triumph 2500 from 1992 until earlier this year. In 22 years and 200,000km of ownership, it only had problems 'on the road' three or four times, and as far as I'm aware, only one of those ended up with it being towed home. Sure, we always kept up with maintenance, and tried to fix things before they failed, but even so, it was far more reliable than any other car they've owned. Admittedly, their tastes (and mine) tend toward European, so it's competing with VWs, Audis, Citroыns, and Alfas, but even so, I think that it's worth remembering that a '70s British Leyland product could do so well.

thebigbossyboss > Nothing
10/08/2014 at 08:36

Drive by what?

Nothing > thebigbossyboss
10/08/2014 at 10:27

One of these guys:

Kinja'd!!!

They park 'em on the side of the road, and you just drive by as normal for your emissions "test".

thebigbossyboss > Nothing
10/08/2014 at 10:30

Dude that's awesome. Here our test just tests OBD11 codes. Which is stupid. Because my check engine wont turn off. I fought my way through anyways (just reset it to read not ready) but it was a big waste of time.

Nothing > thebigbossyboss
10/08/2014 at 10:34

It is. No need to worry about a visual inspection, which they do if you go to a test center: Hook up for OBD codes, run your car on the dyno, visual inspection.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/08/2014 at 15:09

Go back, and go get it.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > JGrabowMSt
10/08/2014 at 15:33

Funny thing is, its walking distance to my house. So, I can go see it anytime I want. I wouldve never known it was there if I wasnt looking at the complex.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/08/2014 at 15:35

Leave a note on it, and then you can contact the DMV about having it become yours.

Don't walk away from it.

It's not German, so your mother can't even say no.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > JGrabowMSt
10/08/2014 at 15:37

Lol, ya I guess it isnt german. I really dont wanna put anything on it though, The dirt is too spectacular, I dont wanna disturb it.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/08/2014 at 15:38

Don't let someone else disturb it either.

That thing is pure profit. Finds like this need to lovingly cared for.

Do you think the car wants to just sit there until it rusts away?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > JGrabowMSt
10/08/2014 at 15:43

I actually dont remember seeing any rust, it was weird. I almost thought it was fiberglass (I know its not). But there is a huge dent in the passenger side fender, very close to the door.

JGrabowMSt > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/08/2014 at 15:47

Can be fixed. That car wants to be proud, don't cut that dream short!