Pedal Shaft Cover - TR2, 3, 3A, 3B, 4
During restoration of the pedal box, earlier this year, we noticed that the pedal shaft cover, ST P/N 106670 was bent and
distorted. In fact the four bolts
welded in place were splayed out and would not line up with the master cylinder
bracket. There was no evidence that the pedals and associated parts were ever out of the car. Apparently the previous owner had a very heavy foot!
When you examine this part you
can see that it is a simple metal pressing made from rather light gauge
steel. If it becomes distorted, it can
contribute to uneven action and binding of the brake and clutch pedals. This could lead to an unsafe condition. The mechanism in question is already somewhat
troublesome because it’s difficult to lubricate.
A Solution
We
made up a stiffener from a piece of flat steel and welded it to the inside of
the cover where it is cannot be seen. The result is a cover which is straight and true and fits nicely with the master cylinder bracket. This was an easy and inexpensive improvement.
Was the car raced? These assemblies aren't the strongest, granted, but I've never known one to get really twisted. Mark might; he's been around more cars and more likely to have seen the effects of Frankenstein feet on these cars beyond the usual worn carpet and floormats....
Your welcome!
The simple answer is no, at least not in later years. But, four brother drove the car back and forth to Princeton University in later years. You know what college kids can do to a car. Ever watch "Diner"? However, their father, the original owner of the car did some club racing and rallying. There was quite a bit of this kind of informal racing in NJ back in the 1960's. The original owner was an executive with Bell Labs and probably had the extra cash!
Actually, we went through several pedal box covers before we found one that was acceptable. They all could have been repaired but this one was the least distorted.
Footnote: When I found TS58476 LO, I knew very little about Triumph sidescreen cars. All of my experience up until then had been with two Michelotti bodied cars, a TR4A and a TR250. When I began the restoration in 2000, I became aware of some inconsistencies between what I read about these cars and what I saw in my car. One thing that always confused me was the presence of four extra holes in the scuttle. Of course, I learned later that these were there for mounting the optional aero screens. But, factory installed aero screen mountings were discontinued at TS32834, and my car is TS58476. Well for years, I just assumed that the owner added the racing screens later. Then during the actual stripping of the interior we discovered that the proper captive nuts had been there all along. Here's a photo of the underside of the scuttle , complete with original
Silverstone Grey paint showing one of the captive nuts and wood bracing. How could this be? Someone suggested that it might be interesting to contact the TR archivist in England and see if records were kept. We ordered a "build record" and a few months later received a nice letter with some interesting information.
Apparently the car had been ordered with "provision for aero screen fitment" . See below
It's now 24 years since I first found this car in a shed in rural New Jersey. I often wonder what other secrets it holds?
