Re: Interesting Stags

[Glenn Merrell <gmerrel@domain.elided>]

Hello Dave and All,
	From talking with Adrian Plantrose at the May 98 Gaydon celebrations, owner of
the other 4X4 Stag (Reg HNX 540K), I learned there were two converted by FF
Development of Coventry, one manual, one Auto.  According to Mike Wattam, the
Automatic was once owned by Hazel Barratt and may be the one you mention from
the show.  I may be mistaken, but I thought Adrian told me the automatic version
was a 4 speed auto box.  Not only were these units FF All Wheel Drive, but also
equipped with Dunlop antilock braking systems, and the power steering pump is
mounted on the left side so you could access the battery easily.  Very advanced
for a 1971 car, as ABS did not hit the streets in mass production for almost 20
years later, and AWD was not popular until the mid 80's.  Adrian attests to
testing the anitlock brakes on several occasions, stating that he was very
impressed at the straight stop and steerability during the whole operation. 
Adrian also was very positive about the overall handling of the FF All Wheel
Drive system, indicating it stuck in the corners very nicely, but that "sleeping
policemen" (they were dead policemen after my driving over sevral..Ha!)  reak
havock to the undercarriage.  Seems like the AWD Stag sits an inch or so lower
than a stock Stag.  4 of my 5 vehicles are AWD, I am a firm believer in AWD
utility and added safety.
	Whilst crawling under Adrian's Stag at the show, one very interesting note was
the use of CV joints on the front drive axles, where the rear was standard
U-joints.  And now, the desired Stag upgrade in 1990's are CV Joint rear axles! 
Someone had really great ideas back then at Triumph.

	Oh, the 5th vehicle not AWD ... my Stag.  Maybe I can trade?

Regards,
Glenn  Merrell
Triumph Stag Register USA VP
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*Member of:
*VTR, RMTC, TSC USA, TSR, SOC
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Dave Biggs wrote:
> 
> I thought that this may be of interest:-
> 
> I borrowed an engine hoist from a chap in our club over xmas and he had
> just bought a 4WD Stag with ABS (J reg) which had been in storage for a
> few years. It was one of two that were converted and I believe the other
> one is still running in Wales. The conversion wasn't done by Triumph and
> from what I gather has required quite extensive mods to the transmission
> tunnel, engine mountings and exhaust amoungst other things. I don't know
> any details of the transmission apart that it is automatic.
> 
> I think that it was the one on display on the Barratt's stand at SOC
> national day some years ago.