A ‘WORKS’ CAR?
Let’s now turn our attention back to the Stag (STTAG)
It is this fully concours restored US Federal Specification 1973 LHD Sapphire Blue Triumph Stag.
At the event conclusion, the Stag will be either auctioned (preferred) or sold for the exclusive benefit of the charity at the end of the drive which is planned to coincide with the 2009 North American Triumph Challenge at Triumphest 2009 in San Luis Obispo, California on 30th September.
Several USA clubs have participated in the preparation labor for the Triumph Stag, being the Red river Triumph Club in Texas and the Illinois Sports Owners Club in Illinois. Affectionately nicknamed “Uncle Jack” in memory of Jack Drews, Friends Of Triumph Vintage racer who died suddenly in his racing TR4in 2008.
Additionally, we are canvassing all car clubs and organizations who will support the drive throughout its route with lodging, meals, vehicle service, fuel, AND DONATIONS TO SIDRAN.ORG, etc. To find out how you can help, please contact John Macartney or Glenn Merrell.
To date, 45 host clubs and host have signed up to host John and the Stag.
Many have assisted in providing the funds to procure the parts, including members of the Triumph email list. We have also solicited support from vendors, suppliers, service organizations to help prepare these cars in the form of supplying:
- parts, components, and bits donations to properly prepare the cars
- en route service needs for routine service and repairs
To inquire for details and offer your support, please contact either of the gentlemen above.
We look forward to your participation to help make this drive for charity a complete success!
Some HISTORY about this Drive’s Beginnings:Â
Greetings Triumph Enthusiasts and Friends,
Glenn Merrell, previous Chairman and President of the Triumph Stag Club USA here.
So what is this all about, where are we going, how are we planning to get there, and where will it all come to a climax? All questions answered in time.
If you have been reading and listening to the various Triumph grape vines, I have volunteered to coordinate the selection, preparation, delivery, en route maintenance and support of the Triumph Stag that will make this epic 10,000 mile journey across North America for Charity.
Why?
Well support of charitable causes is a long standing tradition amongst British Car clubs in the UK. But we have more British Car clubs in North America than the UK, and not many are associated with annual charitable giving and support.
For me, I think it is past time for the North American British Clubs to step up to this British tradition of giving by placing our talents where they can benefit those who are less fortunate and may be afflicted by a whole range of societies burdens they can not shake.
Look around you and the famous Concours shows around North America already support charity, as do many of the larger muscle, classic, custom car shows. So why NOT the British Car clubs?? Sure a few do, and there are one or two large British shows and events that cater to local charities. But why not every British Car club??
This charitable activity is a perfect way for any club considering entry level involvement to charitable causes, sort of get your clubs feet wet so to speak, plant the seed within your club organization to grow that giving spirit. It is also a perfect way to engage the public in our hobby by showing off our LBC’s all across North America, put the gleam and awe into the youngster’s eye as we cruise past. Remember YOUR first time seeing your favorite LBC???
Right, I hope I have your attention now.
Why would this event select a Triumph Stag for this drive?
For one, comfort. The Stag is an excellent Sport touring Triumph, in fact, the flagship of the Triumph model line. Would you, or could you drive a TR2/3/4/250/5/6/7/8 cross country for 3 months with luggage and possibly riders (plural) and survive to the end … if you’re 6 feet 3 inches tall, weigh 252 pounds … and were 65?
Second, for the attention factor of the sheer rarity and the perfect styling that really grabs your eye. People have seen most of the TR model line, but a Stag? It turns everyone’s head when it passes, and that V8 burble, oh yes.
Third, because a Stag can be prepared to reliably drive this event from start to finish well within the first goal across any road we have in North America.
Fourth, it has a real trunk (boot), it can drop head for the nice weather drives, it has plenty of torque and power for flats, highways and mountains.
So what can YOU and/or your Club do to help?
I’ll be blunt. I need to locate in North America, as best in condition a Triumph Stag, preferably late 1972 through 1973, in original configuration and as complete as possible, to commence restoration upon immediately. Although the charity has some funds to purchase this car, it would be much better if it was donated outright, or, purchased by a benefactor or benefactors and then donated. This way, any funds reserved from the charity for this car preparation can be used more efficiently for miscellaneous bits not donated to complete the restoration.
Additionally, John Macartney is soliciting support from the various Stag parts vendors to supply all the parts and components we require.
My goal is to have 4, 5, or 6 clubs around North America step forward, volunteer labor to completely restore this Stag from the ground up. Then to have many more clubs step forward to provide en route support and maintenance.
What are the tasks and time lines?
- Body Prep and finish, including glass (12 weekends) (ISOA?);
- Complete interior and soft top restoration, including the folding top frame, dash (6 weekends);
- Bright work and trim refinish and install, including wheels (6 weekends);
- Suspension and drive line restoration including axles and brakes (12 weekends) (ISOA?);
- Engine, Transmission/OD rebuild (12 weekends);
- Electrical system restoration, including all lighting and instruments (12 weekends);
- transportation of the car and components between clubs (6-8 weekends)
One large USA Triumph club, the Illinois Sports Owners Association, who have already stepped up to restore the body and suspension of the car that is finally selected for the run. But there is so much to do before we even get TO the tunnel!
What is the schedule?
As I said above, my goal is to have these 4-5-6 of the larger clubs step up within the next 2-3 months and select areas of the car to prepare, the time is not necessarily cumulative based on weekend workshops and include getting the vehicle from the previous club and out to the next. Since some of this can be done concurrently, and the time allotted is generous, this puts the car being ready before March 2009, with April through June 2009 reserved for contingencies, delays, road testing, debugging and delivery to the starting point. If you can step up and provide any portion of the major tasks, please contact me ASAP!
All the logistics MUST be lined up between now and the end of March 2008 which includes locating and assessing the Stag, have most of the parts with donation commitments in place and on their way to the correct locations where they will be installed, then start movement of the Stag around to the volunteer groups, and placing all of the volunteers on the critical path schedule. If it can be moving before then, great! Movement of the Stag to the various clubs who are willing to work on the car will need to be closely coordinated. The smaller clubs, well maybe you are located in between two of the larger clubs, have a truck and trailer and can provide transportation of parts from point a to b, or have access to someone who can donate smaller portions of the restoration.
So between now and the end of 2007 I will prepare a formal time line with critical tasks, proposed transportation between clubs and milestones to more closely define the work.
Additionally, I think it will be very appropriate to have each club prepare a 3″x5″ brass plaque for affixing to the inside of the hood describing who worked on the car, what area they restored, and their club logo. A restoration picture book will also accompany the car between the clubs to form a complete record of the car’s restoration.
Then what happens?
Then the Stag is delivered to the start point for the drive. As has already been said, once this Stag completes its epic drive, it will be sold or auctioned at Triumphest/ VTR 2009 in San Luis Obispo, California 30 September 2009.
Who do I contact to offer support for this portion and get signed up???
Glenn Merrell, Chairman, Triumph Stag Club USA, 210 Bass Circle, Lafayette, Colorado USA 80026 (303) 665-6040 mailbox #6, (303) 817-8559 mobile, Skype – StagByTriumph, email:StagByTriumph@triumphstagclub.org
Want to help coordinate?? Also, contact me ASAP!
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to talking with you very soon!
Cheers!
Glenn Merrell