Triumph Gloria experiences

Sir,
Seeing mentioned in your magazine that truly fantastic motor car the Triumph Gloria has prompted me to write to you of my own motoring experiences with such a car.

The Gloria in question belonged to my family for 15 years up to 1960. In this time it covered 180,000 miles with a patch welded on the side of the cylinder block. It only ever failed us once, when the rear spring broke. It never enjoyed the shelter of a garage and yet never failed to start on the coldest of mornings. It was of 1937 origin and yet did not have the much acclaimed windscreen washers.

I now own a 1957 Austin A35 Countryman. In the past three years no less than 75,000 miles has passed beneath this car’s wheels. Other than usual wear and tear items, such as tyres and brakes, I have had to replace one gearbox and two half shafts in this time.

I use this car for my job and it is hardly ever without at least a 4 cwt. load.

I enjoy driving quickly when conditions permit, so I found that this car’s road handling left a lot to be desired, but after lowering the rear suspension some 1 1/2 in. and fitting 6.00 x 13 tyres on the rear only, I now enjoy road-holding superior to that of a friend’s Ford Anglia 105E.

In connection with pleasure I drive between Wolverhampton and Liverpool twice a week and on these runs the car constantly returns average speeds of between 48 and 52 m.p.h., with a fuel consumption never varying from 44 m.p.g. and an oil consumption of approximately 250 miles per pint.

However, I must admit that before another 10,000 miles has passed I will have to treat myself to an exchange engine because of gradually worsening mechanical noises.

In conclusion, I wonder how many other cars can be purchased for little over £60 and return a service record such as this.

Wimborne. Roy Croft.