Trumph Southern Cross
| Owner | keith-clan |
|---|---|
| Location | Appleby-in-Westmorland, |
I've hoarded this car in parts for over 25 years and am now making a real effort to get it roadworthy.
The chassis is in quite good condition apart from a small bend on the front offside which will be straightened. It and the wheels have been recently sandblasted, the chassis painted dark green and the wheels powder coated in red.
Over the years I've had new pattern wings, front seats (now at the upholsterers) and a fuel tank made.
Within the past 2 weeks (April 2010) I've towed back from Eastern Europe a new ash body frame constructed to mirror the original exactly, made over the past two years by expert Czech body-builder Milan Krupicka. This will now be aluminium clad as per the original by Frank Higgins in Edinburgh. The body dimensions and shape were confirmed by photographing and measuring 5 existent SX's and referring to the knackered original and the chassis. Anybody intending to do the same could well save time by contacting me!
Somewhere in my barn are around 80% of the bits to complete including radiator, engine, gearbox, brake and suspension parts. The chassis is rolling. I also own the unique Salmon bodied 1934 Super 9 Triumph pillar-less saloon to give me a clue as to how its put together.
So here we have the makings of what could be the finest existent Triumph Southern Cross from Donald Healey's Triumph stable of 1933-34. A Model in which he was to make his name in Alpine Rallies the following year.
Go to any rally in the UK and you'll see more sporting pre-war MGs, Rileys, Morgans, and Singers than you could shake a stick at, but a single pre war sporting Triumph? Rarely or never. And that's why I'm doing it.....
Just give me a couple more years!
2 photos show the completed SX body frame in Milan Krupicka's workshop at the time I picked it up. Milan Krupicka is in the background on the first shot, and behind on the right a body he is completing for a large 6-seater 1920's Czech Praga. The third photo shows what the finished article will look like, although in my case in British Racing Green with red leather upholstery (what else?)
