panels and SOCTFL

[len]

I have owned Triumph Stag's since the early 80s and have always found parts fairly readily available . Just last week as a project I bought a TR6. Its not a wreak but does need wings , paintwork and an engine rebuild. One thing that has taken me by surprise is body parts quality and lack of repair panels, basically if a wing is rotten in say a corner the way forward is to throw it away and buy a Heritage panel, but as most suppliers do say the quality is ok and will need some work. What sprung to mind is what a great job the SOCTFL is doing for us, repair panels , complete quality panels and continued work behind the scene for other parts which we need. Its a shame other clubs don't look more closely at what the SOC is doing and copy it. Cant praise SOCTFL high enough. Well Done. Len

[StagnJag]

Here Here!

[Westfaling]

The whole SOCTFL concept was well ahead of it's time when it was introduced. I haven't heard of many other clubs replicating it. Has anyone else??
Nick

[Bob Heritage]

All credit to the SOC and their hard work in encouraging the survival of the Stag, Len, I think a lot of the TR6 panels are now imported from the USA.

Bob

[jleyton]

All credit to the SOC and their hard work in encouraging the survival of the Stag, Len, I think a lot of the TR6 panels are now imported from the USA.

Bob

I thought you supplied lots of them Bob, as well as Stag sills - I am always seeing mention of 'Heritage panels'

I've recently fitted he VC I got from you a while ago and it's working great. It replaced one that looked ok but was a bit tight and it has eradicated a vibration I had - thanks

Cheers

Julian

[Lingen]

Many thanks gentlemen for your public support. It is always encouraging to know when the work we do is appreciated. Our plans this year include funding the re-appearance of several panels that have become unavailable in the last year or two. Plus one or two other items that we have been asked to assist with. You will be kept informed when they become available. Mike.

[StagManiac]

The Imp Club (for Hillman Imp owners, like me) has begun to remanufacture body panels that have been unavailable - or at least been so rare that they were prohibitively expensive. Even just producing a limited number of only four individual panels (floors and rear wings, both sides) to date has transformed the 'restorability' of the Hillman Imp enormously! The panels are not perfect or whole but are large, basically well-made and correctly-shaped repair sections. But the effect on the Imp scene has been dramatic. There are plans to take the concept further and get a whole load more panels made up in this way, which is brilliant! :-D It is worth mentioning the role of the specialist suppliers too - Imp and Stag alike. Their efforts over the years have done much to enhance our ability to keep our beloved cars on the road. But I too loudly applaud the SOCTOFL for its efforts! The Stag can only benefit from the extensive availability of good quality parts that are being made available at realistic prices. My metaphorical hat is off to you, SOCTOFL! Paul :-)

[Bob Heritage]

I thought you supplied lots of them Bob, as well as Stag sills - I am always seeing mention of 'Heritage panels'

I've recently fitted he VC I got from you a while ago and it's working great. It replaced one that looked ok but was a bit tight and it has eradicated a vibration I had - thanks

Cheers

Julian

I try to do my part Julian although the Royalties cheque is a bit slow coming in. Pleased to hear the Viscous coupling is living up to expectations, not too many left now.

Cheers-Bob

[GDPR]

I have just fitted a LH complete outer sill, and apart from the mm perfect fit, it was pressed from a gauge of steel that would befit a chassis rail - it wasn't cheap, but it wasn't crap.

However, I have just bought some front wing/arch repair panels for my Vitesse from a well known supplier, and I am far from impressed...

I agree - long live SOCTFL, and can you make some Vitesse bits next?

[Firept]

Russ.
You have a point should we not offer the skills of SOCTFL to others is this a profit making area that the club could explore?
There is nothing worse than spending half a day bending shaping and generally fiddling about with a panel that with the best will in the world looks as if it was made on a wooden press.

Paul.

[GDPR]

I'm more than happy to offer their services to others Paul, but I think they may get upset and take a contract out on me.... I think there may be a couple of those out on me already

[Firept]

Yes I think you'd better stay below the parapet for a while till the flack blows over

[GDPR]

I like to live vicariously......

[Philip Wardle]

All,

To support what Lingen has said, I’m sure all of the SOCTFL team are grateful for the generous comments made on this thread.

In his opening post Len suggested that other clubs could perhaps benefit from looking more closely at what the SOC are doing. This is something we’re keen to do as it raises the profile of the Club, it helps other clubs find ways to improve their own situation, and it supports the aims of the classic vehicle movement as articulated by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.

In his post, Paul goes further by suggesting that the SOC should be proactive in offering the skills of SOCTFL to others, i.e. we could think of this as an “outreach activity” to use the current jargon. We need to keep in mind, though, that SOCTFL can’t do this as a profit making area: the Terms of Reference agreed between the SOC National Committee and SOCTFL say that “the Fund operates through the provision of loans or grants to parts suppliers or manufacturers. It does not trade in its own right; neither can it own stocks of parts or tooling.” This is designed to honour the charitable status of the SOC.

I can confirm, however, that SOCTFL tries to respond to the spirit of what Len and Paul have suggested by helping others. In the past we have shared SOCTFL’s approach with a number of other Triumph clubs through the Triumph Forum of which the SOC is a member. Within the past year we have also replied to enquiries from a Triumph club in the USA and a non-Triumph club in the UK. Of course we will continue to do this at every opportunity.

Of course the other issue in helping others is the question of time to do it. All of SOCTFL’s work is undertaken by volunteers – there are no paid employees. Within our ranks have a small technical team of four working part time. If we had more volunteers we could do more on the outreach agenda. One possible way to take this forward would be to invite SOC members who are also involved with re-manufacture of panels and parts for other cars to participate in SOCTFL – if this is of interested we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Best Regards
Philip