Go to Page 3
Go to Page 4.
Return to Alan Grossmeier's Home Page
Go to Bulkhead rebuild and wiring update page
Go to Bodywork refurb page
Go to Electrical System Upgrade page
Go to Chassis Assembly page
Check out our next project; Jude's GT6 Refurb.
As Advertised, 1961 Triumph Herald "Pickup Truck". And a picture of what I hope it to look something like when done.
(10-28-06) Arriving at his new home. (CLICK on an image to see full size.)
Off the trailer and into the shop.
The Vitals
Commission Number Y20797LCV
Body Number Plate RT2730
Engine Serial Number Y24630HE
Gearbox Serial Number G85773
Differential Serial number Y25487
The first two hours were spent vacuuming out all the trash and mouse houses and starting to lose some weight from the backend.
A few hours later and a nearly naked backend.
Once I got rid of all the rotten lumber I found the boot pan to be in like new condition. The frame, outriggers and rear extensions are in great shape, very sound with very little rust at all. The more I vacuumed, the more daylight started showing through the drivers and both rear footwells - those will get replaced. Snapped one stud trying to collapse the convertible frame. Amazingly, the frame itself it is in very good condition even though the top was shredded.
After I get everything else off the frame and start the refurb, I'd really like to find a donor car with a rotten frame and good body panels and maybe a coupe roof I can modify. I'll replace the inner wheel wells that are cut off and am I'm thinking about making a new pickup bed out of steel that will ride lower and have a hatch to access the spare. Then fabricate some sides to mate up with some stock height fenders, fit the fuel tank back on the side and close off the back of the cab with steel mating to a modified coupe roof.
(10-29-06) I removed the convertible top frame, gutted the interior and started sorting things out under the bonnet. Only a couple hours spent on the car today, too many deer wandering around and I've got a near empty freezer. Four hours sitting in a tree with the bow and no deer came close enough for a shot.
(10-30-06) Spent another 3 hours this evening on the car . Removed the doors and put the fuel tank back where it belongs. Surprisingly, the passenger door had never been removed before! Now I am thinking that I should have a fuel tank fabricated that fits in the spare tire well. That will give me a full width pickup bed and the chance to use a standard utility dump cart for the bed. The cart box is 60 1/2 in. x 36 3/4 in. x 15 1/4 in. According to my measurements it would fit perfectly between the rear fins and all the way from the bumper to the door jambs. All I would have to do is fabricate some notches around the wheel wells.
(11-01-06) I got impatient and just tipped the tub off to the side. It will get hauled down to the barn and set aside along with the doors and the bonnet when I get some extra hands to help move them.
You may notice that the new front floor pans arrived and are a very good fit. When I start on the body work they'll get welded in place. Thanks to Bill Davies at Rarebits For Classics for his advise on which ones to get to fit the Mk1.
Now I can start getting at the frame and work on preserving it. The frame and outriggers are remarkably solid with only minor surface rust. A few hours with the wire wheel and then some brush on POR and they'll be like new again. Then it will be sorting out the suspension and drive train.
(11-05-06) I pushed the Herald out in the sun this afternoon and got a better picture of the frame (with the old rear tub in the background)
(CLICK on any image for full size picture.)
Also got a better picture of the repair panels for the front foot wells. Started looking at the wheel bearings and brakes and all will need replacement. Starting my list.
(12-15-06) Finally got some more time to work on the Herald this weekend. I got the bulkhead off and started pulling the front disc brakes off a '63 Sport 6 I bought for parts. That's the bonnet of the Sport 6 in the background of this picture. (Note to self: bulkhead is easier to remove if brake and clutch hydraulic lines are disconnected first. :)
Will start taking the heavy stuff off the motor to ease it's removal and cleanup and then start pulling the suspension bits off the frame and actually start the refurb. New suspension bushes and bits are coming from UK via sea mail and will arrive here by February, 2007. With any luck I will be ready to start bolting stuff back on by then.
(12-27-06) I built a derrick and pulled the engine today. Also took off the brake lines and fuel line along with a number of the small "bolt on" bits. Next the front and rear suspension assemblies will come off, and get disassembled. Parts of the suspension assemblies will go with the frame to Powder Plus, Inc. here in Chippewa Falls for sandblasting and powder coat. The other parts will start getting wire brushed and repainted. I finally got the front suspension off of the '63 Sport 6 and removed the disc calipers, vertical links and associated bits for cleanup and transplant to the Herald. I completed my list of needed bushes, rebuild kits, hydraulic lines, brake shoes and pads to order and received the first of three packages from the UK that were sent via Sea Mail last month. It sure will be nice to start assembling instead of disassembling. While the frame is off to be powder coated I'll focus on the bulkhead and dash and upgrade the wiring by adding a few much needed circuit breakers.
(12-28-06) I got all the bits of the front suspension off today and was going to start on the rear suspension but ran into a very stubborn screw holding the right rear brake drum on. I'll let it soak with PB Blaster overnight and give it a go again tomorrow.
(12-29-06) I took the rear suspension off today and stripped the last few removable bits (brake line clips, spire nuts, etc.). I believe the frame is ready for blasting and powder coat!! It will go in to Powder Plus, Inc. in Chippewa Falls, WI for the blasting and powder coat work. During disassembly of the rear suspension I came across another unique feature of this particular vehicle. The rear brakes are mismatched (see below). The right side had the standard 7 inch drum brake assembly while the left side had an 8 inch drum assembly. I will go pull the right rear 8 inch drum assembly off my Sport 6 parts car and do the rebuild with the larger rear brakes. These should complement the front disc upgrade quite well.
(12/30/06) Much to my amazement, I found the Sport 6 also had mismatched rear drum brakes as well. Fortunately, the 8 inch and 7 inch drum assemblies were on opposite sides so I was able to get a set of 8 inch drum assemblies for the Herald. Here are a couple photos of the 1963 Sport 6 parts car I am using as a donor for brakes and the 4.11 differential - which is about all that is salvagable.
<
(12-31-06) Awoke this morning to the sounds of birds singing and rain falling on the roof. The Almanac says the morning low is supposed to be 5 degrees F (-15 C), instead it is 40 degrees F (4 C) and raining. Not to let the unseasonable weather go to waste, I carried the now stripped frame outside and will let the rain wash some of the 45 years worth of dirt and crud off of it.
Go to Page 2