Triumph Chicane - New addition to the fleet !

This is the latest addition to the Canley fleet. We have managed to buy another Chicane to add to the blue one we already own! Not badged as a Chicane, but never the less South African built with all the differences from the Canley built examples, for example South African made glass throughout, unique trim, special suspension, Girling brakes instead of Lockheed, Motorola charging equipment, etc.



The other strange thing is that it appears to be a very early example of a MkII (2500 Chicanes didn't start production until very late 1972), this 2000 from our initial inspection has all the hallmarks of being within the first few months of production in 1969? Telltale bits include, early clock on dash, escutcheon on boot lock, trimmed lower steering column cowl, enamelled badges, I could go on, but then you might realise just how sad it is that I know all this stuff!!! The South African commission (chassis) plate lists the colour as T/TAN, and the trim colour as M/ROOM, nice!



Great not only do we have a bathroom blue coloured Chicane, we now have a Tangerine one too, you know when you have been Tango'd! How many other Chicanes are there in the UK, I know of at least two others, one locally, and more to the point what are they doing here?



Reality break - July 2004 update !



After a long and hard look at the ever expanding Museum collection we came to the conclusion that duplication of models was putting a severe strain on the already cramped museum building. So Chicane number two has gone to a new appreciative owner.









New addition to the fleet











South African built 2000

Canley Classics on TV !

Fame at last, Canley Classics, Team Stretch, on the telly, oh yes, in the full limelight of the media glare, well local news programme BBC Midlands Today anyway! We have recently been having to beat the media off with a big stick, with a sudden and un-expected huge, belated (the Stretch has been in semi-retirement since the 10CR last September) level of interest in the World's longest Herald. In the space of two weeks we have been in two national dailies, local radio, local television, local newspaper, and the BBC website, phew, where did that make-up woman go!

Watch with RealPlayer !

You can view the programme using RealPlayer. You will need to jump through to about the 20th minute to catch it. Video footage courtesy of the BBC.









Alternatively, read the report in full on the BBC News website.









Being interviewed on the telly









Taking the engine bay close-up shots

Macau Spitfire Update !

Exciting news regarding the Macau Spitfire, we have located several of the car's original 1965 engine components in California! Thanks to Mr Kas Kastner (he removed the bits whilst the car was his in 1966-7) who first tipped us off that the parts had turned up for sale still residing in California all these years later. These parts, including the original 70X alloy 8 port cylinder head, are now safely back home in Coventry. This stuff is well travelled if you think about it, Coventry, Hong Kong, Coventry, USA, Coventry! Since acquiring these and other original parts we have taken the decision to return the Macau to 1965 specification, but don't worry all you USA enthusiasts, we are well aware of the Macau's Kastner/American racing heritage. To that end we are formulating a plan to use the Kastner parts removed to maybe build a tribute to that part of the Macau's early history, after all it has remained as such for the past 37 years!



To this end if you haven't seen the Macau in the flesh, so to speak, on one of it's outings to shows/events over the last 2½ years, then it may be some time before you see it again away from the Canley premises. We hope to keep you updated on a regular basis on progress.









more about the Macau Head...



more about the Macau Spitfire...