Oh how I envy members in England being supported by the TR Register at the Prescott Historique, both those competing in the Hillclimb and those who take part in the TR Register display.

This weekend is the Doune Historic Hillclimb which for the past three years has been the venue for the TR Register Scottish Weekend. Unfortunately for 2026 there shall not be a TRRSW as the event has been sacrificed for the benefit of the Car Club Fest event, something which I find most disappointing. It would appear that none of the TR Register hierarchy had any interest in a 2026 TRRSW and the situation is harder to bear by the fact that entry to the Club Display area at Doune is free, whereas it appears that the TR Register has negotiated a reduced entry fee to Prescott of £12.00.

Small wonder there is an exodus of members of the TR Register in Scotland, with the word on the grapevine that a free WhatApp Group may be in the offing to TR owners in Scotland in lieu of membership of the TR Register. 

Regards,

Cliff

I bought dads old car

its a car that i am sure was his favourite individual car, certainly was mine ( he loved the Daimler sp250 as a model as he had about 6 or 7 over the decades and one still resides in his garage but its not this car)

he owned this car from the mid 1970’s to about 1998/9 about 25 years of my formative years as it turned up when I was about 13.

it was already a famous car as it was a “special” from the 1960’s. A car originally associated with Rivers Fletcher in its previous guise of EGT511. But it became a sports race car with Ian Woolstenholmes, the founder of “Woolies” the trim specialist, putting a speed 25 chassis and a 4.3 engine together in a short chassis. In fact dad buying the car helped Ian get “Woolies” off the ground.

the car was a bit tired and a over the years dad developed it with the help of some Alvis specialist but eventually with the help of a brilliant engineer friend John Hadwick. Who was more used to working on Lola T70’s and the like.

smaller option wheels were used for sprints and hill climbs and larger wheels for fast tracks.

the power was upped and the gearbox gained straight cut gears and a 4.1 diff.

the car was raced successfully by dad at all the UK’s major venues inc the Isle of Man.

i was typically there or there abouts mixing with people whom I now know to be titans in the vintage and racing world. But at the time were just car enthusiast.

dad was no slouch either having a racing pedigree himself. He and the Alvis won many racing awards he was most proud of winning the PACE PETROLEUM cup on the Isle of Man as sponsored by his friend Victor Gauntlet who owned pace petroleum and went on to own Aston Martin.

and 2 driver of the day awards at 6 hour relay races for teams of all sorts of cars, one of these was for driving the most laps as due to Alvis team cars suffering mechanical failure, dad did at least half the time himself. And on other occasion he was clocked through Donnington’s redgate corner faster than the Porsche 911’s in the Porsche team.

as a youth I had attributes that were much needed, these were hands of a child that could change the rubber/fibre drive couplings from engine to gearbox without having to strip out all the interior etc. And holding the wooden blocks screwed to a stick over the carbs to act as a very manual choke!!

at race meetings it was my job to take off the windscreen, paint on the numbers/ cricket boot whitener, later posh sticky numbers, and tape up the lights sometimes turning them sideways to reduce wind resistance ha ha.

the car to me as a youngster was a big beast of a thing but as I grew up it was just part of the family and we gelled.

it wasn’t until 1992 that I was allowed to do a shared competition drive with my dad. It was my first ever class win. Beating my dad - shared drives dropped off after that I seem to remember.

Dad was generous with his cars and I remember him sharing it with his mate Jenks - (The Dennis Jenkinson- that was Stirling moss’s codriver in so many events like Mille Miglia), at a Brighton speed trial  sprint.

why dad sold the car before the millennium I didn’t know, may be he felt he wasn’t using it in anger as much as it deserved.? 

it moved on to Brian Maile a chairman of the Alvis owners club and racer. He used the car here and in Europe. Before he sold that car in the uk but to an Australian. 
under this Stewardship the car was professionally prepared for the 2016 peking to Paris rally but the owners plans changed and the car went to Oz instead.

i caught up with this owner couple years after dad died and shared with him the history and documents i had from dads effects.

a few months ago he contacted me to offer me first refusal.

after much soul searching, family discussions and searching down the back of the sofa for spare money it was a possibility.

the deal has very recently been done and it’s now down to the shippers.

whilst over the decades since dad had the car in its rawest form it has had some gentrification but the car is essentially the same. 

Hopefully there will be more on this as time moves on. But until it land here I won’t be sharing too many details - superstitious - yup just a little.

I mention it to one friend and half an hour later another calls me to ask ; Is it true.?  

Yes indeed., Bye, bye, Katie  ...my fun little Triumph TR4a has been sold and collected..  Thankfully it's winter and wet out, so I don't miss her as much as I might otherwise have ..had she been sold during the summer months. 

Still, it seems odd, and somehow hollow to not have her waiting in the garage. 

Of course, I still have Burble  the Daimler 250 V8 ..and as some of you will have seen - she's also reluctantly for sale.  In many ways I wish I had a six car garage.  Conversely, although I'm not sure if I have the strength to keep half a dozen cars maintained and on the road, I'm absolutely certain that I don't have the money to do so !   

Burble, and yes elegantly beautiful - I have actually polished her . . .

Duncan (from another forum) asked me the next question ..

" I wouldn't want to steal any thunder, but with Katie gone and Burble  on the way, is XXXXX incoming ? "

"Well, Yes"  I replied 

. . 

.

"After 30 years of secretly drooling over every one I've seen, even total basket cases - I've now found one.  

Many a normal person buys something, and then after a while, a few years perhaps, moves on to buy something newer / more modern / more spacious / more refined / better spec'd / easier to maintain / more economical / cheaper to insure / needing less amount of work / more suitable for everyday busy life /  ....all of the aforementioned ! 

Don't tell anyone but it may be that I am not quite normal  ? 

I've spent weeks doing my homework, before buying a XXXXX ,  looking at several on the internet, including a RHD example in Belgium, and a LHD one in the US ..both would have made interesting collection stories, but for numerous 'good and sensible reasons' I didn't.     And then when one came up in Kent, I literally contacted him the hour I saw it, and drove down there two days later. 

I'm sure my experiences with Katie, and with Burble, and with the two XXXXX's I went down south of London to look at and drive a year ago - made a huge difference to my pre-purchase mindset and inspection.   In short, I was careful but have now bought an XXXXX , which I've named 'Carmen'   ..And she was delivered on Wednesday. 

Up until the vehicle delivery driver called at 11:45am that morning, to say he'd be with me in an hour, I didn't actually believe it was actually happening. To me it's nothing short of incredulous !

The origins of this story goes back sixty years...  My father was in the RAF and my brothers and I were boys.  As a family were stationed in Singapore.  And typically - as one serviceman's tour of duty ended., he'd sell his car to the next guy.  My Dad was there at the right time to buy a 1950's Jaguar Big saloon.  I honestly cannot remember if it were a Mk.VII or one of the two subsequent models, but to me (the youngest of three boys) it were truly wonderful !   And ever since then (as I say - sixty years now) I've loved the idea of owning a such a Jaguar.  And just now - it has actually happened.! 

I had a Jaguar back in the late 1990's, while working (design engineering in ship building) in the US.  But that was a project car whose beautiful straight six-cylinder dohc engine had long before been swapped out for a big block Chevy V8.   Mind you I didn't see that motor either, because when I bought that car - it had no engine or gearbox, drive-shaft, or even the correct rear axle, The bulkhead / 'firewall' had been butchered. There were no carburettors, manifolds, exhaust or starter motor, or most any other ancillary necessary either.  Nor did she have any seats or interior trim (but for the dashboard and steering), nor even a roof.  ...But the rest of it was really solid !    ... albeit a little scruffy. 

As is my way - I'd  spent quite a bit of time and a lot of money finding suitable components to put her back together again.  But then alas..  I was made redundant (..twice in three years) and had to leave the US (for reasons of "no work no visa").  Bottom line ;  Redundancy + unpaid relocation back to England + being out of work and no home = I had to sell the car very quickly, and for whatever I could get.  $6,000 as a project, now with engine (in bits) and gearbox, and she was structurally very sound, and the body was in good shape but needing paint.   

36 years later - " I'm Back ! "  

However...  Despite the fact that I love the prospect of owning a Jaguar Big Saloon,  as I close towards 70 years old - I still like to drive  (not just sit behind a steering wheel and doodle along). 

I was so darned fortunate to have the TR4A and the Daimler 250 at the same time.  Each car is a good driver and each has its own great merits - but at opposite ends of the design spectrum.  Driving them back-to-back really illustrated just how much I most enjoy a car with the power to accelerate, and the balance and suspension & weight distribution to handle corners ..albeit this has to be read in context of classic car standards.  Things have moved on a long way since the 1960's. 

Katie's  power-to weight and nippy handling are great fun, and Burble is eloquent, comfortable and smooth with a fantastic engine.    'Carmen'  is much the same weight as Burble, but a greater percentage of that mass is low down in her chassis. 

^   She has the beautiful straight-six dohc (long stroke) Jaguar XK engine which delivers 220bhp ...with oodles of torque.  Conversely, Katie has 100bhp, and Burble  140bhp ..again with lots of torque.  Alas, Katie's  fun and lightweight nippiness comes with a penalty in both diminutive size and in rattles (lightweight build), while Burble's comfort comes with a weight penalty - which curbs acceleration and because she sits tall - she rolls around corners.  The XK engine offers the power-to-weight advantage over the Daimler's  2.5 ltr V8 .. by a whopping 250-foot lead in the zero to quarter mile.   

Admittedly, the XKXXX 's  handling is not as nippy around roundabouts as Katie, not least because her wheelbase is 14" (..17%) longer,  but with her weight low down she's no slouch in an armchair either.  Let us perhaps consider the analogy of a fit Labrador -vs- a Springer Spaniel.   And in the classic car world .. that's appropriate for a leather-padded Grand Tourer -vs- a seat-of-the-pants sports car. 

^  Some of you may remember I also had 'Flirt' ..a 1966 Jaguar S-type, with the 3.8 litre engine in it.  When was that ? back around 2015 I think.  Lovely car, also in Carmen red.  She had a wonderful biscuit coloured interior (well it was lovely after I'd spent many an hour cleaning it and feeding the leather).  I very much liked that car, with its superb IRS suspension  The ride was superb ..even though she also rolled a lot in corners.  But as always..,  I was living on a tight budget and couldn't afford it.  I had spent hours going through its cooling system, including replacing the engine's core plugs, and doing many tidying up tasks under the bonnet. And so when it had gearbox trouble (and I didn't have the facilities to lift its engine out) I took it to a garage here in west Suffolk.

They left the car out in all weathers. Weeks of delays in their re-fitting the rebuilt gearbox inadvertently led to paint blisters on its front wing.  I'd just spent a thousand pounds on the gearbox and couldn't now afford to have paintwork refinished.  I sold that car to David, who keeps in touch, and is still delighted with her. 

It's only a matter of subjective opinion but, the S-type's styling doesn't quite work for a lot of folk, including myself.  Shrouding over (well, sort of) the headlamps and spot / fog lamps, the front wings without side lights, and the car's elongated (very much more spacious !) rear-end - lost the something of the Jaguar's elegant balance between body line and chrome work.  When driving her - she still felt like a heavy car, but perhaps now a bit softer ..particularly in cornering.  The S-types were also beginning to get a bit overly complicated.  

Another Bottom line ;  Although I would have loved a 1950's Jaguar Mk.IX Big Saloon - I don't have a garage anywhere nearly big enough .. and I know in my heart of hearts that its performance and handling would be encumbered by the size and weight ..particularly around tight turns and along English country lanes.   

As is often the case - It's all about horse for courses. 

The XKXXX  fixed-head has long since been my dream car (..I first drove one in the mid-90's).  An Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, DB5 or 6 will always be out of my price range, and probably be a pain to live with too.  But this Jaguar proved to be within my grasp (..finally ! ) ..and is structurally & technically just a little easier to live with than the Jaguar Mk.2, Daimler 250, or S-type.  Mind you its H-rated 16" tyres are sodding expensive.!

Of course, I bought at the entry level - so I already have a list of jobs as long as a forearm ..and one of those first tasks is to gain another 5" extra legroom for the Bfg ! 

It's time for me to be going now,  so I'll tell more ..anon

Bidding you all a very good evening, 

Pete  

Richard

Stuart

Decided to fit the new glovebox I had purchased some time ago, and made that my aim yesterday (Sunday). First problem was that I had fitted the overdrive relay on top of the heater support bracket not realising it would be in the way. Whilst on with moving that, I decided to move the main wiring loom which I had run over the heater support brackets behind the heater, along with the rev counter cable. This lot was preventing the heater unit sitting further back against the battery box, and the room gained would leave more room for the centre instrument panel wiring which was currently pressed up to the heater matrix.

Next problem was the heater hose, which was hanging in the way on the passenger side, so I used a 1/4 pipe clip bolted through one of the spare holes in the bulkhead, to enable me to secure the hose up to the bulkhead with a cable tie.

Finally was able to offer up the glovebox and coax it into place behind the opening in the dash. The box has cutouts which locate the perimeter around the opening and managed to get a pre punched hole to line up with the top bracket and get a self tapper and washer in to hold it in place. My Dash being a re-pro I didn`t have any holes in the bottom edge, si drilled three holes along the edge up into the glovebox itself, and secured with self tappers and spire nuts. So far so good.

Next I managed to contort myself into position laid on the floor with feet up by the fuel tank so that I could mark where the top bracket needed securing on the glovebox. The original bracket is now too short by about an inch and will not span the gap between the bulkhead and the box. So need a re think.

I have some ally angle and was looking at the possibility of running a piece of this at the back of the box between the heater support bracket and the side of the bulkhead which would take the weight of the box and contents. Not original I know, but probably better.

It was while mulling this over and taking measurements I realised that I have not yet fitted drain pipes to the vent, and that I wouldn`t be able to once the glovebox was fitted. You can barely reach anyway from the passenger side, and no chance from the drivers side over the column support bracket etc.

So finished the day with the glovebox back in it`s cardboard box where it started the day, and ordering some 3/8 bore rubber tube off ebay.

I will get it finished one day.

Ralph

There is a bloke on Youtube who I’ve followed for a while who produces videos about various tools that make all sorts of claims about how good they are, but are basically garbage.

Here is one of his latest.:

(It’s well worth looking at others on his channel.)

That was weeks ago, he did send me a mail saying he had forgotten about it and would send it to me next day, again weeks ago. Since then (more weeks ago) no replies to my mails to him.

I have been had, a hundred out of pocket, just passing on a personal experience.

My other worry  is if I purchase a normal one will I be able to get parts in 5yrs. Gotta go to shops tomorrow and am at wits end with what should be simple so appreciate any help forum can offer!

A SWOT chart would definitely say no, price of petrol after Trump’s shenanigans, no room in the garage etc, etc… But, my gosh it’s got a presence and would be wonderful down to the S of France, Swiss Alps etc..

The ‘ opportunity’ has come out of nowhere, the current custodian (89) has owned it most of its life and is now decided to go and live in the States, leaving in a couple of weeks…

How much is a small parcel ???

Richard

my local group (RedRose) has received the following confirmation that Car Fest is ON

and the rumours need to be refuted .

the following statement is cut and pasted unedited 

I think it should be locked so it’s info only

Car Club Fest Event Update

 We’re aware of a rumour circulating among some members of the TR Register suggesting that Car Club Fest may be in danger of being cancelled.

 We want to be absolutely clear: this is not the case.

 Car Club Fest is in a strong position. Ticket sales are already well in excess of 1,000 entries, surpassing the total attendance of the previous International Weekends from a decade ago. This is a positive and encouraging milestone, and a clear sign of the enthusiasm building around the event, both within the TR Register and across the more than 50 guest clubs already signed up to display.

 To all group leaders across the country, we want to reassure you that plans are progressing well and the event is moving forward with confidence. The support we’re seeing from clubs and members alike is exactly what will make this a standout weekend.

 We’d ask for your help in:

·        Sharing accurate, positive updates with your local group members

·        Encouraging continued bookings and participation

·        Supporting the event that the members of the TR Register told us they wanted

·        Challenging misinformation where it appears

Misinformation undermines the hard work of volunteers delivering this event and creates unnecessary concern within the community. It’s important that we deal in facts, not speculation.

Your leadership within your local groups is key. By keeping communication clear and focused on the facts, we can maintain the strong momentum already behind Car Club Fest.

We’re looking forward to bringing everyone together for what is shaping up to be a fantastic celebration of car club culture at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, 14-16 August 2026.

Wayne Scott Press Officer - TR Register 

I just wondered if any Forum users have any personal knowledge of installing an ASHP. Any information, such as were new radiators required, extent of plumbing works, noise levels and of course cost, would be of interest.

Thanks.

Cliff

It was on the members meeting webcast but I only had audio and didn’t really believe my ears 

the award is in the name of a great club racer and I would love to hear more about him from those that knew him and even raced with him  

“Reg is a legend in motorsport circles. As a club racer, he enjoyed amazing success racing TRs, mainly down to his incredible mix of driving skill with engineering prowess. He would often embarrass Aston Martins in his TR3A! 

This award is given to each year, to someone who has contributed significantly to motorsport of the past year.”

Mick Forey the TR Register club chairman sent me the following confirmation.

Congratulations are definitely in order as you did win the Reg Woodcock Trophy. Please see the attached photos.  Jonathan received it on your behalf from David Appleby, our new Honorary President, shame you were not there to meet him. The citation read out by Wayne was:

Reg Woodcock Trophy

Competing in a black TR3A in the TR Register Sprint and Hillclimb Championship, Hamish has continued to demonstrate both pace and commitment throughout the season. A consistent front-runner, he secured an impressive 2nd overall in the 2025 championship standings, despite competing in fewer events than many of his rivals—a testament to both his skill and determination.

His performances have been marked not only by strong results but by outright speed, including standout achievements such as the fastest acceleration times in competition.

Having entered the championship in 2017, Hamish has steadily developed both car and driver, progressing from a newcomer to a leading competitor, with multiple class successes and consistently strong overall finishes along the way.

Following in the footsteps of his late father, himself a talented competitor, Hamish represents the continuation of a proud motorsport legacy within the TR Register community.

His dedication, competitive spirit, and continued success embody the very essence of this award.

Hamish Roscoe 
 

amazing honour and a true surprise. Hopefully when I receive the trophy I can share some more pictures and may be Jonathan Smith our group leader could pass on the honours as he got at the meeting .

Thanks Jonathan for doing the honours on the day - I didn’t know I should have been there.

thank you to all who deemed me worthy  

I would like to know any other opinions on this programme ??

Thanks Richard

Now a long time later I can not find the special tool or a source of batteries. If anyone can help please post a link on this forum

The Tr is away having a steering overhaul by a local specialist garage here in East Sussex. I hope that it goes better than the Watch.

Please help

Richard

John.

So, does anybody on here own a UK business with VAT reg & willing to act as go-between, or are any of our US members prepared to act as shipper as I suspect 'personal' transactions would be exempt?

Not attempting to avoid any duty or tax here, just like to get some parts.

Jerry

We were fully booked but have had five cancellations.  You can book now and join in the fun for just £160. 

There is no charge for spectators and for £5 you could join the lunchtime cavalcade run.

I am planing to clean up the wings and I have white spirit. My question is will this damage the paint or clean it well and leave me with clear shiny wings. Please send me any advice on the best approach, or an alternative cleaner.

Thanks Richard