Greetings to the Triumph list,
I'm a Triumph-Digest subscriber who feels compelled to give his two cents
worth on the subject of "how fast will it go?".
In 1968, at the age of eighteen, I acquired a 1959 TR3 with 97,000 miles on
it's non-functioning odometer. My first car. Replacing the speedometer
cable fixed the gauge and it wasn't long before I needed to know how fast it
would go. The opportunity presented itself on a straight, quiet two lane
road on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. I was alone in the car
and still accelerating with the needle bouncing between 95 and 100 when I
ran out of straight road and courage. 97 1/2 MPH! Now I had my answer.
"It'll do a hundred, easy" I would lie when asked how fast I had driven my
TR.
My father used my TR for a few months when I was away from home for Air
Force basic training in 1970. Although I never shared my 97 1/2 MPH
experience with my dad, I remember overhearing him say "It'll do a hundred,
easy" when he was asked how fast my TR would go. He had found out for
himself.
I still own that TR3 and continue to enjoy driving it regularly. I can
imagine myself on that same road today, recreating that magic 97 1/2 MPH
moment in my personal history. I can feel the wind in my now gray hair as I
peer through bifocals at the speedometer needle as it bounces between 95 and
100. I also imagine a Neon in my mirror with it's signal flashing as it's
driver waits for an opportunity to pass. But who's having more fun?
Frank, I remember a new TR6 being faster than my TR3 in the '70s. I think
yours should be able to "do a hundred, easy". I've never driven a Neon but
I'll bet all my back issues of Road & Track that it wouldn't be as much fun
to drive as your TR6!
Dave Easton
Seattle, WA
1959 TR3
> Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 09:25:03 -0230
> From: "Boothroyd, Frank" <Frank.Boothroyd@northatlantic.nf.ca>
> Subject: TR6es passing Neons
<snip>
> Should my 73, non-overdrive, TR6 be able to pass a Chrysler Neon?
>
> I guess what I'm really asking is How Fast Should My Little British Car be
> able to go. It's just that I hate the ubiquitous Neons and would be happy
> if I can pass every one I see.
<snip>
> Any input on this matter would be appreciated.
> Cheers,
> Frank
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