The Triumph Sports Owners Association of Queensland is a CAMS affiliated car club catering for the preservation of the Triumph car marque. The Club is based in Brisbane and has approximately 200 members. The club holds regular meetings and various social and motoring events.
If you would like to become a new member of the TSOAQ or you are are en existing member wishing to renew your membership you will find membership form the TSOAQ Membships section below
Maclean's Bridge at Lakeside was a great event. The vehicles on display were not only specialist sports cars but for the first time encompassed the whole gamut of manufacturers' offerings. Missed it? Never mind - here is a video of some of what was on display. Don't miss it next year!
The Triumph Sports Owners Association is often approached for an opinion on how much should be paid for a particular Triumph model, how much its insurance value should be, or just for answers to fairly general questions about the worth of whole cars or parts of cars. Usually, but not always, the enquirer is new to classic cars and/or Triumph cars and has little idea of value. We are also in an age where there is readily available information on almost any imaginable subject, so when faced with something we don’t know, we simply enquire. This article is designed to make the search for information on buying Triumphs a little easier for the enquirer who we hope will make a Triumph, his or her classic car of choice.
I recently met a fellow who didn’t know about my penchant for Triumph’s oft-maligned Stag. He charged full gallop into his pet hate, Pommy cars, with a special revulsion for the worst of them all – Triumph’s big GT, the Stag. I didn’t bother trying to defend the car because he knew all about them. He’d never owned one, but friends of his apparently did. These friends, hearsay would have it, either died in debtor’s prison from trying to fix their Stags, or died from being hit in the head by bits that fell off while being driven. This is rubbish, of course. Stags were so bad that they weren’t capable of being driven long enough for any bits to fall off. Obviously, this acquaintance’s loathing for the Stag knew no bounds. Is there any information in circulation that reinforces his view? The short answer is “yes.” The long answer you are reading now.
When Triumph released its new "gentleman's sports tourer" - the Stag - in 1970, the order books quickly overflowed. Waiting lists grew from weeks to months. It was a beautiful convertible with 2+2 seating that came with an optional hardtop that would soon become standard. Those expecting a TR6 eating, fire breathing monster were in for a surprise. It was more gentlemanly than manly. It was more touring than sports. It had more saloon comfort than the loosen your fillings, bone jarring firmness of a TR.
And now it is 40 years old.
And its list of devotees is growing. In England it has the unenviable reputation of most stolen classic car. The engine woes that struck after it was several years old have long been overcome and there is a movement to reinstall the original Stag V8, discarding the Rover 3.5 and saloon 2.5s that ended up under many Stag bonnets. The TSOAQ held a special celebratory club run to Imbil - a deer farm at Borumba.
Here is the video of the run: If you weren't there, please enjoy the day from the comfort of your computer chair.
Power Assisted Steering (PAS) is a desirable addition for our Triumphs. Stag owners and 2500S Saloon owners are the only ones to enjoy this aid to pleasant motoring. Modern cars, irrespective of their size and weight, have power steering. Once moving, power assistance is of little value. Parking speeds is where assistance is really appreciated. There are two methods to achieve a little worthwhile assistance. Well, three if you include a Bullworker course.
This story is about my experiences with a TR7 as my daily driver.
TR7s are a pretty rare sight on the road today. I've only owned mine for a couple of months and because it is my daily driver, it has to be reliable. I had never driven a TR7 before I bought this one. When you factor in a motorcar that is thirty two years old, it's a sports car, it was purchased 'condition unknown', the possibility that it is a catastrophe waiting to disassemble itself is uppermost in my thinking. Added to this is the anecdotal evidence that TR7s are horrors.
Most Triumphs qualify for the "Special Interest Vehicle Concession" with the Queensland Government Department of Transport. There are limitations as to which types of vehicles qualify for concessional registration and where and when the vehicle can be used.
To qualify for the Special Interest Vehicle Concession:
The vehicle must be at least 30 years old.
You must be a member of an incorporated car club or association eg TSOAQ
The Vehicle must be in original condition
Have a certificate issued by the dating officer of the TSOAQ authenticating its condition and year of manufacture
Note : Vehicles fitted with a modification plate, code LH10 are not eligible for a special interest vehicle concession.
Vehicles with Special Interest Vehicle Concession Registration can only be driven under the following situations.
Participating in rallies organised by incorporated car clubs.
Participating in processions for which a Special Events Permit has been issued.
Travel in order to have the vehicle repaired.
Road testing within a 15 kilometre radius from the place where the vehicle is garaged.
This is only a brief extract of the Queensland Government, Department of Transport conditions and requirements of "Tthe special interest vehicle scheme". More information can be found on the QLD Govenmrnt web site here
Please Note: Membership renewal forms are posted out to all financial members in January each year. Payment is due by 1st March.
News Flash
TSOA Nationals 2013
The TSOA of each state take turns to host a National Event. The 2012 National Event was hosted by TSOA Victoria. The 2013 TSOA National Event will be hosted by TSOA Queensland. Thanks to TSOA Victoria for an excellent week of events and we all look forward to the next National event.
Competition starved members be aware that that Sup.Regs and Entry Forms are now available for the TTT Days on the MG and Historic Racing websites.See you there.
TR7s are a pretty rare sight on the road today. I've only owned mine for a couple of months and because it is my daily driver, it has to be reliable. I had never driven a TR7 before I bought this one. When you factor in a motorcar that is thirty two years old, it's a sports car, it was purchased 'condition unknown', the possibility that it is a catastrophe waiting to disassemble itself is uppermost in my thinking. Added to this is the anecdotal evidence that TR7s are horrors.
