Sluggish clutch action (hard to engage, slow to release) may be caused by deterioration of the flexible clutch hose due to age or proximity to engine oil and grime. Even if the hose looks okay, the inside may be swollen shut. Jerry Johnson Vero Beach, FL
Two basic tools are essential for trouble shooting electrical problems – a wiring diagram, and a 12 volt test light. A test light is an inexpensive little tool that looks like a cross between an ice pick and an electric screwdriver. Simple to use, it is connected by its clip to a ground. The sharp…
Over the years I have restored several sports cars including a Lotus Elan and an Alfa Romeo spider, as well as a non-sports car, a Morris Minor Traveler. My daily drivers have been a series of 4 cylinder cars (with the exception of a 2 cylinder Honda 600). About 6 years ago I thought it…
Longtime British car owners have evolved the ability to hear at a very special frequency. The medical name for this ability is long and hard to pronounce, so for the sake of conversation we will simply refer to it as “parts falling off.” The uninitiated might easily think a small stone has been kicked up…
My first sports car was a 1963 Triumph TR-4 bought used in 1964 shortly after I graduated from college and got a job. It was the first in a long series of British and German sports cars I have owned, but it was always my favorite. Thirty-seven years later I retired and began restoring British…
Almost Anyone Can Properly Install a Convertible Top While a convertible top can last 20-plus years if cared for properly, the day will come when it needs to be replaced. A piece of cloth can only last so long. While some people consider this a job for professionals, it’s really not that difficult—if you’ve got…
In exchange for loaning a car to a friend, I took advantage of his extensive knowledge of carburetors and fuel injection systems by making him help diagnose the SU on my MG Midget. The Midget, aka the Flaming Cockroach, has been annoying fellow motorists for several years now with its roarty exhaust and plenty of…
When the rubber-bumper MGB was introduced in September 1974, many considered it to be an unworthy addition to the British sports car stable. The classic chrome accents were gone, the handling was affected by the elevated ride height and the performance was diminished. But take notice: These cars make excellent daily drivers. Plus, they can…
Despite having a curvy Italian body, strong sales numbers and a class win at LeMans, the popular, gutsy Triumph Spitfire gets little respect in the sports car world. The first cars had a few quirks—most fans will admit that—but most were cured by 1971, making the Spitfire a fun run-around-town car. Modifications can transform the…
If the Triumph TR4 was a piece of clothing, it would be a cotton button-down shirt: classic, straightforward design, never out of style, rugged construction, tough to wear out. The TR4 design is an iconic symbol in British motoring the same way the button-down is an iconic fashion symbol. In fact, the TR4 is basically…
