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Nov 21, 2006 11:15:17 GMT
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YO, I'm reading this book at the moment:  Its the story of when Michael Edwardes took control of BL in 1977 and shook it into shape, getting the militant shop stewards into line, launching the metro, shutting factories, getting money off the govt and all the rest of it. Its a great read. Anyway it was also on his watch that BL started their alliance with Honda, which initially gave us the Triumph Acclaim. Now I remember when I was in the 6th form I was the first person to pass my driving test. However I wasn't the first person to have a roadworthy car as my mate sorted himself out a Triumph acclaim so I used to drive it sometimes whit him in the passenger seat and I was always knocked out by how good it was compared to my old Marinas, itals, dolomites etc. It was a HLS one with 40,000 miles on the clock and was like a 'new car' compred to my old sh1te. The engine was silent on tickover. The steering was very light but had plenty of feel and was direct. The clutch and gearchange were again v light but had superb feel. Even the indicator stalks felt like a complete new experience after the standard issue wonky BL efforts. The car felt very light, and was surprisingly quick. The engine was swiss-watch smooth too. Only downside was that there wasnt much room in it. So, reading this book has made me want one! Its certainly an interesting car historically if nothing else. There are only a couple on the bay and neither of them look mega appealing TBH so maybe the urge will subside before I get my hands on one. However, fuel that fire by boshing your pics up NOW!  cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300050837320cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280050981489 I think this is one car that even an unemployed person can afford. |
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,417
Club RR Member Number: 52
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TRIUMPH ACCLAIMqwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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Nov 21, 2006 11:24:51 GMT
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They are brilliant. I think its the obvious Japanese styling with a triumph badge boshed on it that appeals to me.
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Nov 21, 2006 12:19:52 GMT
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A mate had one recently. Pretty much as you describe. Not dis-similar to the early Rover 213 in a lot of respects. Pig-like wallow spoilt that though. Avon turbo FTW...
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Nov 21, 2006 12:41:53 GMT
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i still have a genuine BL acclaim manual if anyone buys An Acclaim and wants a manual
PS i have just started reading the same Edwardes book - what a coincidence
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Someone just shot the elephant in the room. |
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ishan
Part of things
Posts: 370
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Nov 21, 2006 12:45:56 GMT
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aHhhh memories ;D ;D I feel obliged....        It was an excellent car. The engine was super smooth and suprising torquey. The gearing was pretty short too which ment it would outdrag XR2's up to about 45-50ish but would be at about 3500rpm at 80ish. The engines are ideal for turbo-ing as it had a a quite low compression ratio altho i cant remember what. Handing and ride was a bit scary as the dude I bought it from cut them pretty drastically and it had a bit of torquesteer! All the controls were really light and it was such a pleasure to drive. I really miss it, but it wasnt up for the 1200 motorway miles a month I was putting on it. I would definatly buy another when I'm doing less mileage. BTW if your after some turbo action, i collected quite a few bits which I didnt sell with the car a turbo, decompression plate, oil pressure switch and some other bits and bobs |
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Nov 21, 2006 14:29:46 GMT
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Thing I remember about Acclaims is that they resisted rust a lot better than the Rover 213/6, (the boxy one).
Even tatty Acclaims would always last about 12-13 years whereas 213's could suffer from fatal rear suspension mounting & rear wheel arch/sill join rot - scrap at 8-9 years old. Maybe it was because the Acclaim sold mainly to the private owner, like the Dolomite, whereas the 213 was a repmobile.
An Avon Turbo Acclaim would be an interesting find.
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Last Edit: Nov 21, 2006 14:32:14 GMT by anthonyg
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Nov 21, 2006 14:37:42 GMT
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My 213 rotted from the top down. The window frames inthe doors went first. Darndest thing. It was 5 years old then.
I di used to see rotten Acclaims. IIRC it was always the ones of a certain year and colour. I can;t recall what. That was the thing we always said there were gooduns and baduns and the gooduns were relly good and the baduns, well, they will be long gone now.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Nov 21, 2006 14:55:11 GMT
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Those Rover 213/6's have got to be one of the rustiest cars evAr, almost alfasud-rivalling in theit self-destructing skillz0rz. Disgraceful really, you would have though Rover would have learned some lessons about rustproofing by then.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Nov 21, 2006 14:58:59 GMT
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Nov 21, 2006 14:59:03 GMT
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Those Rover 213/6's have got to be one of the rustiest cars evAr, almost alfasud-rivalling in theit self-destructing skillz0rz. Disgraceful really, you would have though Rover would have learned some lessons about rustproofing by then. You'd have thought so, but it WAS Rover  |
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Tarka
Part of things
Posts: 905
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Nov 21, 2006 15:02:40 GMT
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My dad bought his beige Triumph Acclaim in 1987 when I was 11 - great car.
Anyway, there I was, writing my journal in a german lesson (very begginner level when you translate every word directly from the dictionary). I wanted to write that my dad's new car was an Acclaim and when I translated the name it came our as Sieg Heil!! I though that was fantastic.
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Sharks in the garage.🐬🇩🇪
I'll finish my projects when you've finished your's!😎😜
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
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Nov 21, 2006 15:16:27 GMT
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i'd rather like an Acclaim yet i have no idea why  heres one i did earlier:  |
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Nov 21, 2006 15:31:25 GMT
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My mum has a trimatic- what the hells that?
Mates brother bought one for £50 (didnt even pay the bloke in the end) the car was rapid, slightly tatty but it really went. Interior was like a mini limo, very refined! He had it confiscated and crushed by the cops not long after.
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1987 Maestro 1.6 HL perkins diesel conversion 1986 Audi 100 Avant 1800cc on LPG 1979 Allegro Series 2 special 4 door 1500cc with vynil roof. IN BITS. HERITAGE ISSUES.  |
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Nov 21, 2006 15:33:51 GMT
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Trimatic was the rebadged version of Hondamatic. Basically "automatic".
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Nov 21, 2006 18:19:46 GMT
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There are still shed loads around Oxford, mostly driven my ex-Cowley plant employees by the look of it.
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Nov 21, 2006 18:24:31 GMT
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think they look pretty cool, would like to see one that didnt receive the J treatment tho.
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Nov 21, 2006 21:16:51 GMT
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Ive currently got an Acclaim sitting on my drive that we used for a banger rally to Barcelona recently. We done 2500 miles there and back and the only problem was the electric fan didnt work. A bit of bodging with a length of wire soon sorted that out. Might have to get rid of it soon though as it is taking up valuable space.
Jerry
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Nov 21, 2006 21:25:54 GMT
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gis a pic then!
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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Nov 21, 2006 21:32:45 GMT
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Just trying to work out how to do it!
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Nov 21, 2006 21:33:04 GMT
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I still feel pangs of guilt about the one we had. It had been my stepdad's father's car, he died and we ended up with it at 12-13 years old and something silly like 15-20k on the clock. It replaced a Datsun 1200, and Mrs SL-to-be was amazed by how luxurious it felt.
We ran it for a few years, took it France a couple of times, generally liked it a lot. Got hit up the chuff by an HGV and we got it repaired with secondhand bits from the wonderful Medler's yard, it got stabbed by a pupil at her school and that got repaired too.
In 2001 the gutters started going really rusty, the arches had already gone and been repaired, then it started smoking. When the MoT was up we bought a Mazda 323F GT and sold it for £50 to local banger racers, and it ended its days at Yarmouth Raceway.
Sad, and it makes me awful typing it out. Got no pic's on the PC, and if you can imagine what a tidy red A-reg HL looks like then you've sussed it. Even before owning our's I'd always rather liked them.
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