Portland Triumph Owners Tour

Spectatohead · Postby **Spectatohead** » 27 Sep 2009 20:27

Yesterday the PTOA had an impromptu tour. It was odd that there weren't any Oregon plates, just Washington. I guess we should have called a Vancouver Triumph Owners Tour. Anyway, it was the longest trip to date in my TR8. Since my speedo still doesn't work I had to Mapquest the route, up around Yale Lake and Swift Creek Reservoir with a lunch stop at a Mt Saint Helens viewpoint then back down to the Columbia river an then along the Washougal River back to Vancouver. Mapquest showed just over 150 miles. The car ran beautifully. There were 8 cars. 2 - TR6s, 2 - TR250s, a TR4, a Stag, my TR8, and an MGB-GT which we won't mention. These were very twisty mountain roads and I had a blast. My face is so sunburned I think it is going to fall off. The 8 is a lot different than any other TR I've owned. I didn't have to shift much, and the power steering is so fast that the quick switch backs we ran through were a blast. There won't be too many more days to enjoy the car before the winter monsoons arrive and I'll get started on the cosmetics and the few little things like the speedo and the fuel gauge.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

PeterTR7V8 · Postby **PeterTR7V8** » 27 Sep 2009 20:49

I'm really please to hear you've been using the car. That will motivate you when it comes off the road to get the job done. 150 miles is a good distance for starters but I trump you with the 700 I did yesterday. [8D] How did you feel after the trip? Ready for more? I started to fade after 10 hours. [:)]

Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

Spectatohead · Postby **Spectatohead** » 28 Sep 2009 03:41

Peter, I was definitely ready for more. After getting home and sitting for a couple minutes though I wasn't quite as ready to keep going. I really should have kept my hat on, but I just got a short haircut the day before and was really enjoying the feel of the wind through my hair. I used half a jar of Aloe Vera on my face last night and it is a bit better tonight. I was really pleased with how well the car ran. I got a couple comments for the other tourers as to how good it sounds too. If there is another tour before the monsoons on a day that I don't work, I'll be there in a heartbeat. The only breakdown we had was a TR4 that lost his fan belt. He had tools and a spare belt and we were back on the road in minutes. I was afraid that I'd be the one to hold up the tour since my car has been sitting the longest and had the least use. I didn't even have a spare tire or jack with me. Of course all my belts and hoses are new, but the tires are still 10 years old. Sometimes you just have to live dangerously.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 28 Sep 2009 04:15

With blue skies and we do have to make best use of what we have left for top down driving. With the sun further down the horizon and temp's cooler it's easy to under estimate it's effect especially when you get to the higher elevation of the Cascades.

We had same skies and a club run around Nanoose Bay ending up with a picnic at club members house. About 150 miles for me as well. I didn't get a sunburn as I had my hoody (jacket not car's) up as it was a little cool. I haven't got my wind blocker yet. Will post pictures later.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Last TR · Postby **Last TR** » 28 Sep 2009 20:42

Where was that weather for the ABFM? I managed to put about 1000 miles on my car the week I was in Oregon in spite of the rain. I'm pretty pleased with the car considering that it has largely sat idle for a number of years too. I'm jealous of you guys; wish I could come down for another week of good weather and wedges. Haven't even managed to get my other cars out since I've been home.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

Spectatohead · Postby **Spectatohead** » 29 Sep 2009 05:20

Ken, yeah this was much better Triumph weather. The weather guy said that we set a new record for days over 90 degrees F at 24 days this year. However, Labor Day weekend was the wettest Labor Day on record. Just really bad timing for us. Yesterday was mid 80's too but the rains are back and nothing but rain and 60's in the forcast. I'm glad I got to enjoy the car a little this summer, hopefully next summer I'll be glued to the drivers seat. I hope to go to the ATRDI in Canada and some other shows too. With any luck the car will actually have a top next summer and with a little more luck it'll never be needed.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 29 Sep 2009 19:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Spectatohead

I hope to go to the ATRDI in Canada and some other shows too. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'll see you there then. When at the BC Triumph Registry barbecue after Van Dusen ABFM this year the guy arranging it said it was at Fort Langley.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Last TR · Postby **Last TR** » 29 Sep 2009 22:50

I actually had some pretty nice weather in Oregon after the ABFM monsoons ended. Drove down to Roseburg and up the North Umpqua River, back to Eugene, Portland, and over to the coast. But it's starting to look like winter back here in Anchorage, and I'm still trying to get the siding on my garage addition.

What's the ATRDI and when is it?

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

Spectatohead · Postby **Spectatohead** » 30 Sep 2009 05:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FI Spyder

I'll see you there then. When at the BC Triumph Registry barbecue after Van Dusen ABFM this year the guy arranging it said it was at Fort Langley.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That sounds like a cool place to have it. They don't have anything on their website about it yet though. The first Canadian ATRDI came a year after my son was born. Now that he is off in college it's time I went. I had been to just about every ATRDI before that from the third one on. I've always wanted to go to one in Canada and will do my best to make it to this one.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 30 Sep 2009 06:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Last TR

What's the ATRDI and when is it?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Every year it is a gathering of Triumphs from BC, Washington and Oregon. It changes to a different state every year. This year it waqs in Oregon, so next year it is in BC. The time I went was in 2007 when it was in Steveston, BC. That was the first year I had the Spider on the road. For the first time they combined the TR7's with TR8's much to the consternation of the TR7 owners. (There were more TR7's than TR8's). I got second place plaque being beat out by a TR8 that the guy spent $30,000 on. Leather Miata seats, dash done in leather, lots of chrome under hood with Holley carb. He sold it about four months later for $15,000 to some one in Washington. There's typically a pub nite on Friday night as a meet and greet or silent auction with free wine, next day carshow and car runs to whereever ending with a banquet where awards are given out. It all depends on what the hosting club sets up. Definitely worth attending. In 2007 in Steveston we had Triumphs from California, one Stag came from there by way of Pennsylvania, A Father and son flew out from New York city to drive up some friends Triumphs from Washington.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Spectatohead · Postby **Spectatohead** » 30 Sep 2009 07:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Last TR

What's the ATRDI and when is it?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Portland Triumph Owners Association put on the first All Triumph Drive In back in 1981. We invited the Tyee Triumph Club from Seattle and they liked it so much they offered to throw it in '82. After that it alternated between the two clubs with people from all over the west coast coming. Eventually a club formed in BC and they wanted a turn, so it has alternated between the three clubs ever since. I became a member of the PTOA in '82 and my first ATRDI was in '83. This year it was at the Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond, Or. I went, but sadly the car wasn't ready. It was much nicer weather than the ABFM, although we went through rain on Mt Hood on the trip down. I think that there were 80 Triumphs there this year.

Jim Clark
'80 TR8
'97 Maxima 5spd

Last TR · Postby **Last TR** » 30 Sep 2009 19:58

Cool. I heard about the All Triumph Drive In in Oregon this year; I didn't realize that it was an international event. I really wanted to go to the VTR Triumphest in California, but today is my father's 90th birthday, so Dolly & I are going to grill steaks at his house on Saturday.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

Last TR · Postby **Last TR** » 02 Oct 2009 05:41

A beautiful fall day here in Anchorage on Thursday; sunny, high 40's. I took my MGA out on a short drive for the first time since spending a week with my TR8 in Oregon. Wow, what a difference! The A doesn't have the power of the 8, obviously, but it's very agile. Even with fat tires on TR6 rims, it's responsive. The big thin-rimmed steering wheel gives it a real vintage feel, especially in contrast to my 8. Reminds me why I love both cars. But I almost wish I had put a Rover V8 in the MGA instead of a rebuilt MGB engine!

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

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