Dzus Dnuz - Page 2

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ADU4B


by Bruce Stutzman

     If you were paying attention at the Summer Part you got to peruse ADU4B. If not here is what you missed.

    In 1964 the Triumph Competition Department decided to again compete at the 24 hours of Le Mans. The last time they had been there was 1961 with the TRS’s.

    The turned this time to the Spitfire and started development of a team of 4 cars. These cars were registered in England as ADU1B, ADU2B, ADU3B and ADU4B.

    ADU4B was at the TRF summer part. Its proud owner is Vern Brannon, the President of the Vintage Triumph Register. ADU4B finished 2nd in class at Sebring in 1965 and 1st in class at Le Mans the same year. So this is the real deal.

    The car looks like a GT6 with faired headlights. Not so, however, GT6’s didn’t exist until 1967. Actually it has an aluminum body with a fiberglass fastback top attached.

    The cars’ 1147 c.c. engine produced 109bhp as raced in 1965. Although the were originally fitted with TR4 gearboxes, for 1965 the newly developed GT6 gearbox was fitted because it was lighter. The also had aluminum cylinder
heads. The chassis frames were even thinner gauge steel to save weight.

    The Triumph historians among us ma recognize a difference in philosophy between the competition department under Ken Richardson that closed in 1961 and the new competition department under Graham Robson that opened in 1962. Whereas aerodynamics and lightweight were of little concern during the development of the TRS (the frame was even beefed up and was thereby heavier then a TR3 frame) the were very important in the development of the Spitfire Le Mans cars. The Le Mans Spitfires even had a higher top speed then the TRS.

    The two “blokes” standing next to ADU4B in the accompanying photo are former Triumph factor employees and are quite interesting. Chris Holbrook (on the left in the photo) worked for Triumph from 1960 to 1970. Fred Nicklin (on the
right in the photo) was a very important person in the development of both the TRS and the Le 

Mans Spitfires as he was the development test driver.

    Their presence along with ADU4B made for a special Summer Part this ear. And if y ou didn’t know the were there...

    And by the way Vern is also the owner of Ken Slagles 1981 SCCA production national championship TR8.

Fall leaf tour Phase 02

    It’s time for phase 02 of the annual WPTA Fall Leaf tour. Be read to tour the wild and wonderful great north and scope out some of the prettiest count side and farmland you’ve ever seen. Catch the change of season from the vantage point of our British car! 

    This ear we plan to meet at the King’s Restaurant at I-79 and Rt910 and be read to depart at 10:00 AM for a full day of back roads and colored leaves. The route will carry us due
north at first and the zigzag through some of the coolest country and stop at several places of interest. We have several surprises in store and, never ones to disappoint, probably a beverage or two here and there. In between we will skirt the perimeter of a large forest or two. 

    Plans are being made to include an overnight so be prepared, if you are so inclined, to spend the evening, with us celebrating the coming of winter! There will be more specific info I next months newsletter so make sure you put the date on the calendar, and plan to have fun!!

Parts-A-Rama

    Will be held at the Lawrence count Fair Grounds (I-79 To Exit 105, Slipper Rock, Rt. 108 West), on October 19th and 20th.


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