QuestionQUESTION: I have a set of NOS Unipart front shocks for a '79 Spitfire 1500 (I don't have the original Unipart number, but Roadster Factory's current part number is: ARS62-4796). Each shock came in a separate red/white/blue Unipart box that also contained 1 "plate" (which fits around the lower end of the shock body to support the bottom of the spring) and 2 half-moon shaped metal collars (or collets) that fit together (forming a complete circle) into an indentation around the lower end of the shock body, which sits beneath and supports the "plate".
This morning, I brought the car to a local shop to have them install these NOS shocks. But, unfortunately, upon opening the boxes, they found that one of the shock boxes is missing 1 of the 2 collars and we have been unable to locate another one. We tried Moss Motors & Roadster Factory (which is where the shocks were originally purchased 12 or 13 years ago), but they no longer sell the same shocks or even list the collars for the OEM Unipart shocks. My question is: Do you have any idea where I can purchase 1 of these metal collar parts (preferably asap)? I am located near Washington, DC, but anywhere in the US would be fine.
Thank you in advance.
ANSWER: Fred,
Couple of things you can do. First off, have you tried the local club? There's a good DC area Triumph club, you can find them under the "Chapters" link on the Vintage Triumph Register website (www.VTR.org). Someone "local" may have the pieces.
Or you can try some of the other Triumph parts suppliers. I know for sure that either Nigel at SpitBits (www.spitbits.com) or Ted Schumacher (www.tsimportedautomotive.com) will have the parts.
I'd offer to help as I have a small stack out in my workshop but I'm 900 miles from home on an assignment.
Cheers,
Jim
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QUESTION: Hi Jim,
Thanks for the quick response and referrals. I'll give those a try.
I'm actually one of the founding members of the DC Triumph Club, but work has kept me from active participation for the past several years (I'm lucky to sneak in the occasional short weekend drive). I did check with a couple of local members, but no one had the parts or knew who might stock them.
Thanks again and good luck with your assignment.
ANSWER: Fred,
Small world. I was a member of the club in '89.
Having reawakened those dormant brain cells... give the guys at Motorhead a call. They've got to have an odd Spitfire front shock setup lying around.
The ones I have came from an effort to clean up the barn/storage area. I pulled the springs from a couple of shocks to clean up the top caps and kept the aluminum pieces out of sheer yankee frugality. Maybe I'll clean them up in the bead blaster and offer them to Victoria British or Roadster Factory ;)
Cheers,
Jim
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes, a very small world. Do you know if Charlie Brown is still active (and officer) with the DC Triumph club? He's probably the only one in the club that would still remember me. However, Jeff at Motorhead knows me quite well and had I checked with him this afternoon before posting here. Also checked Mountjoy's, Victoria British, Roadster Factory and several other online dead ends.
Early this evening, I may(?) have located the part. Tom at britishmiles.com thinks he found a couple on one of his parts cars, but I won't know for sure until the package arrives on Friday.
AnswerFred,
Not sure about Charlie.. I've seen his name mentioned several times in the recent past but I haven't looked at the club roster much since I moved from Reston to Dallas in 1990.
Well, good luck on getting the car put back together. If your other sources pan out I'm sure either Nigel or Ted can track down the piece.
Cheers,
Jim
