TRIUMPH MAYFLOWER, V8 drive, Standard fettle, a new yellow car, & charity tractor run

Boxing Day was a foggy one, yet we took the venerable V8 Pilot out in very murky conditions to what promised to be a well-attended car meeting in Little Budworth, Cheshire - alas 'twas not to be and the turnout was low to say the least, maybe the foggy weather put off a few people. Still, it gave us chance to admire a contemporary to our V8 Pilot in the "razoredge" lines of a rare Triumph Mayflower. We have a chat with its owner in the car park of the Egerton Arms, and take a close look at this unusual post-war car.
Back at OCC HQ we give the Ford and Standard much-needed cleans then my youthful assistant dives under the Standard's bonnet to see if re-adjusting (again) the tappets reduces the ticking noises from under the bonnet.
Also included is an evening tractor road run that took place, raising money for charity. Tractors old and new, all decorated to the nines with festive lighting, took part and made for an amazing sight (and sound).
A few words about another yellow four-wheeled vehicle that recently joined the driveway also make it in.
Thanks so much for watching this upload, and please keep an eye on the channel for lots more relating to classic cars in the year ahead.
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[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for watching, please give it a Like & Subscribe if you haven't already. A full list of the several hundred videos on the channel is here: kzbin.infovideos OCC car & lorry calendars: www.contrado.co.uk/stores/old-classic-car **NEW** OCC classic merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop OCC Channel Membership now open!!! See the JOIN button for details OCC Patreon: www.patreon.com/OldClassicCar Channel homepage: kzbin.info/door/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg If there are any petrolheads that you know that might find this kind of thing interesting, please pass on one of these links, thanks!

[@danielbirgan2074]

Any planned excursions for your Voiture Francais,in the near future.?I,of course mean the Renault.

[@stephenstreek3913]

Ref standard tappets, I have long found the Alvis speed 25 manual's method of adjustment which goes as follows: 1. Run engine up to temperature 2. Slacken locknut on each tappet, tighten screw until you can no longer turn push rod by thumb and forefinger. 3. Back off screw 180 degrees and lock the screw in place with locknut. This method allows for batch differences in metals. I have used this method on MGB B series engines for 40 years, including my time at Lenham Motor company. Hope this helps. Regards Steve

[@oldclassiccarUK]

@@danielbirgan2074 Hope to, when weather improves

[@davidarter6271]

What a charming old car that Ford V8 Pilot is! I love that age of vehicle, a simple car from simpler times. Sometimes I wish we could return to that era

[@NealeRyder]

Seeing you show your son how to adjust valves reminds me of when my Grandfather taught me to adjust the valves on his 1950 Vauxhall Velox, engine hot and running at very slow idle. When I started my apprenticeship a few years later the mechanic who I worked with was amazed that I could adjust valves that way. Have a happy and safe 2025. Neale from New Zealand.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I've never tried it with an engine running but have heard of it, sounds tricky :)

[@asa1973100]

I’ve only ever seen one triumph mayflower and that was parked on a drive rotting away in the 1970s at the end of our road so good on this man for taking on a more unusual classic that looks great

[@gavinastill7324]

It came with three crates of spares, which is a huge plus. It's one of those happy cars that just makes you smile every time you drive it

[@davemiller6893]

Back in the late sixties I actually chopped a Mayflower up, using only a large hacksaw and a lump hammer. It was absolutely rusted out. To see this survivor in such good condition is amazing.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

It amazes me how any of the old cars I like are still about to be honest!! Thanks for watching.

[@allanknox7787]

Hi old classic car fantastic job on the videos Richard a very happy new year to you and the family

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks Allan, all the best to you too

[@allanriches9381]

The Mayflower is a different design with the razor edging, a nice comfortable car I would say. Looks like it has a large boot area. Glad to see the Pilot enjoying its run.

[@davidchandler8881]

Great video. A bit of everything to meet the eclectic palates of your different subscribers like myself. Just right for a Sunday morning coffee and feet up viewing. Yes more like this one please.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks, yes I'll do these whenever I have enough to put in them :)

[@graemeburr6463]

Good one Richard. Very easy to get those wipers working better. When they are "lazy" it is usually the paddle inside sticking in its bowl. Take the unit out, take the top off, remove the leather paddle, clean the paddle and bowl then relube the paddle. I found Vaseline works very well. If you want to get it working better without taking the unit out I have heard other V8ers say that spraying a little ATF into the vacuum induction port can free things up. I'm very taken with your Pilot and it's the best factory colour in my opinion.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks I'll have a look into that

[@darrylmcleman6456]

I have seen a number of those Mayflowers around in Victoria B.C. Canada in the early and mid 1960 S.They were showing age at that time! CHEERS from HERE!

[@gavinastill7324]

Thanks for featuring my Mayflower. Such a shame there were only three cars including ours. No doubt i will see you around at Cheshire shows in 2025

[@oldclassiccarUK]

It was good to see it, it definitely made the trip in the murky weather worthwhile!

[@eddtemperley2421]

The tractor run was just fabulous.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks yes certainly memorable, my ears are still ringing :-)

[@Carl-x8y3c]

Hi 👋 your Ford Pilot is a lovely old car. It cruises along nicely. U remember the Triumph Mayflower on the roads here in NZ. There weren't many of them though. I think people thought it's design to be ugly. I don't.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks yes it does bowl along nicely, I think the Mayflower was always a bit of an acquired taste - certainly distinctive

[@flatheadV8]

With the twin vacuum tanks, the wipers should work a lot better than that. Try to lubricate the wiper spindles and check for rotted rubber pipes, which might collapse when the wipers are operated. My Pilot had corroded spindles which benefitted from disassembly and cleaning.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for the info, it did improve later in the day so I think yes a spot of lube might help, and a check of the pipes

[@nevillestumbles4631]

The Pilot is a really beautiful old car and well worth preserving. There were very few Triumph Mayflowers in Australia, mainly because they were seen as under-powered and flimsy, but I did know one chap who had one and he kept it for quite a few years. The one on the video is very attractive, and it is strange how cars we now like cars that, at the time, seemed not all that good, such as the Austin Atlantic, early Humber Hawks, Ford Consuls, etc.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Mayflowers rarely turn up at the shows I get to, so it was neat to get the opportunity for a closer look at this one

[@gavinastill7324]

Actually quite a few ended up in Australia, which really is no more a suitable country than the USA for them. The story goes that the head of Standard Triumph Australia had hundreds of them unsold so decided the only way to shift them was to cut them down into Utes. Apparently the mercurial head of Standard Triumph back in the UK, Sir John Black, found out what had been done to his lovely Mayflowers and had him sacked!

[@nevillestumbles4631]

@@gavinastill7324 Thanks for that. Here, in the Illawarra, we didn't see many Mayflowers but they were probably more popular in city areas. I really liked the bigger Renown, although the styling on both cars has always been controversial.

[@jontaylor1652]

I Love the Mayflower, not seen one for many years.

[@gavinastill7324]

I can't recall ever having seeing one (I'm 57) until I bought the one seen in this video!

[@jontaylor1652]

@@gavinastill7324 At the end of the 60's the guy who lived across from us had a light grey one. Even then I thought it was a great car, I can't recall having seen another one since then apart from in pictures or films.

[@Bill_qaz]

Richard,You could try a SPQR type tappet adjuster as it does it by clicks,this is more accurate than the wear bridge effect of feeler gauge. Also mark the valve springs and check the valves are rotating when running, if not the wear will be accelerated.

[@danielbirgan2074]

Yes,l also have a soft spot for the Ford Pilot.We had some,and hopefully still have ,in Australia.I know I've seen a few,but not many.Horopito Wreckers in N Z had one,(same colour as yours), which was somewhat dismantled,but,as it was in a shed,l suspect,(hopefully), restoration.There wasn't much left in her,but there appeared to be a number of Pilot parts near it,in the shed.

[@v8pilot]

I had a Pilot but I had to sell it when I sold my house prior to moving abroad. I loved that car. I changed its steering box - the most difficult job I have ever done.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I'll try to avoid having to do that job then! thanks for watching

[@v8pilot]

@@oldclassiccarUK I think that Ford bolted the steering box to a plate with flanges. The flanges were then riveted to the chassis, so that the nuts were then hidden between the plate and the chassis. The nuts were pretty well hidden from view and had to be undone about 1/6 of a turn at a time. Prior to that, the steering wheel had to be removed using a Ford puller. Attempting to remove it by any other means, or not removing it at all, was certain to result in the irreplaceable steering wheel being broken, so I was told. Wally Wheatley near Harlow rebuilt the steering box for me. He and his mate got the drop arm off its tapered shaft by pounding it with a huge hammer, so the compressions of its opening walked it off the tapered shaft.

[@stevo260]

Hi chaps great video nice to see a mayflower, tappets on your standard looked like there were a little short of oil being fed to them i had this problem also they can wear at the point of contact with the valves which feeler gauges tend to bridge when there being checked anyway good look with things and keep up the good work 👍

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks I have wondered about oil supply before now, probably a combination of age and wear I guess

[@colinmuddell9672]

The Pilot was sounding and looking very good. After some uncertainty when you first purchased it I have come to think the whitewalls do suit it. Love the 'intermittent wipers'! What a super Triumph Mayflower. I prefer the Renown, but nonetheless that Mayflower was in lovely condition and would be a joy to own. Ah, the joy of tappet adjustment and thank goodness for hydraulic tappets! The engine sounds good enough to me considering its age. I think the thin rocker covers tend to amplify any clatter from the valve gear. Sound advice from you to the Youthful Assistant not to overtighten the rocker cover, which I had to learn the hard way. Provided the gasket is decent hardly any torque is needed.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks Colin, yes whitewalls do suit it I think, thanks for watching as always

[@stephenricketts7764]

An interesting collection of 'events' there. The Triumph Mayflower is a lovely car. I know why they tried to sell in America, Steel restrictions being part of that but it was probably wishful thinking that they would sell more over there but they did meet the Governments brief. I liked the chat with the owner and the 'accident' resulting in minor damage to the Triumph but the Audi came off worse! At least he knew his car was solid. The tractor run was nice to see with all the lights and sound, very Christmas themed. I think the Standard is sounding a bit better with the latest adjustments and I agree that there may possibly be some wear in the rocker but sh is an old girl so give her some slack Rick! You never know what you might find when you're out and about but I do think the BMW is beyond saving, the Beetle on the other hand does look much better and would run again I think. Thanks for the video Rick, I hope you didn't get caught with the pedal car! 👍👍

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yes it was definitely the export or die era after the war, that Beemer is definitely looking very sad but I agree, the VW could be rescued if someone keen takes it on. I've not attempted a pedal car to house move as yet, just have to pick my moment :)

[@gavinastill7324]

I'd had her 6 days when that Audi bounced me. All the plastic front was cracked on it, hate to think (no, love to think!) what it cost her😀

[@johnwelch2224]

Another brilliant video buddy happy new year v8 pilot car i always wanted couldnt afford brilliant example

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks John, happy new year to you too

[@timwilson4967]

Very good to see the Mayflower. My mother had one of these (metallic grey EHH 602) in the early 60s, and l learned to drive on it at the age of 13/14. It was in good condition (column change gear lever had been changed to the right hand side because of a previous owner's disability) but this black one is really superb.😊

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks for watching this upload, and sharing your Mayflower story :)

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

My English master at school had one in the mid 60s in the same metallic grey as your mother's Tim , EFV 27 , funny how we remember their numbers after so many years !

[@Vince_uk]

It is -6c here this morning and has been for the past 4 days. That looks a very eerie day with the fog blanketing the countryside, I don't think I would have taken my car out in that weather to that together with the day after Christmas may explain the low turnout. The Pilot looks terrific and that Mayflower looks excellent, I haven't seen a Mayflower for longer than I care to remember. So the VW is getting the Blink treatment already 😅. The tractor run looks fun and unusual. Sad to see a lovely BMW left to rust away and decay but I think it is definitely way past resurrection.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Morning, yes a bit nippy here too and we're just getting ready to head out for a chinwag with a few other car owners. Hopefully! Yes shame about the BM, I've had a few later Beemers but nothing that old.

[@ralphmillais5237]

The small Lotus Elan had fibreglass bumpers made for that car and not shared with anything else. I think you are getting mixed up with the Elan 2+2, which used steel bumpers. The front was a Ford Anglia item inverted, and the rear was made from a widened Wolseley Hornet piece. The Europa used the same Anglia piece, again inverted, and the rear was a MK2 Cortina front bumper. It is fun for anoraks to spot all the parts off other cars on the Elans!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ah ok I'll check on that, maybe I misheard the owner. Thanks for watching!

[@russellbird7543]

How do you find about these meetings? I joined so many FB groups but you always seem to find ones I never heard of.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I did a video last year about finding meets etc: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJnZfZ2Gi7KjfJo Facebook events is a good place to start.

[@JAMESPATTERSON-mk9sr]

Nice father and son interplay .

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks!

[@hotrod1935]

Brave going out boxing day dont think ill be out till may based on weather today😊 👍

[@oldclassiccarUK]

True, last year we went to the Jolly Thresher steam/car etc gathering, this time we did something different ...

[@mnbalfour1985]

43:50 That rusted out BMW 2000 tilux is a real shame. That was the sporty luxury 2 litre BMW Neue Klasse. 17,440 2000 tilux's were made between 1966−1971, and it was used as the basis for BMW's first fuel injected model the 2000 tii built from 1970−1971. Only 1,952 BMW 2000 tii's were built.

[@russellbird7543]

My father used to own a Mayflower. Not sure what happened to it. Possibly the same car

[@gavinastill7324]

I've got the full owner history of it ....

[@russellbird7543]

@gavinastill7324 very slim chance but it would be under Peter Bird, around the late mid-late 80's

[@johnwelch2224]

oh and ill never forget the vacume wipers on my ford 100e

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yep unforgettable, they did improve as they loosened up a bit but never really dazzling in their efficiency ...!

[@johndavey72]

Hi Richard . Regarding the Elan ,l think the rear bumper is a Hornet/Elf ? and the rear lights Alfa Romeo . As you say , a great shame about the BMW and VW . And was the very annoying 2 tone horn legal ? Your pedal car definitely needs a repaint ! Thanks Richard

[@petermason1747]

I see Harley removed the faded dealer sticker from the Fox does look better without :)

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Ha yes I had to concede that one, it does look better without :-)

[@blythegimble2576]

Can you cover your standard somehow with an awning garage deal or a tarp or something?

[@oldclassiccarUK]

I might well do, I've not really decided on its long-term future here as yet

[@danielbirgan2074]

When does Harley get his learner's permit?It can't be far off now.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Not soon enough for him!

[@danielbirgan2074]

I think we were all a bit like that at Harley's age.I know I was.Couldn't get a licence and a car quick enough.I would like to mention again,the thought of Harley doing some kind of defensive driving course,to which I'm willing to contribute.The lure of passing the driving test first go,and guaranteed considerably cheaper insurance, should be a particularly good incentive.I think very highly of you all,and want to know Harley will be safe when he's driving.I class you people not just friends,but very good friends.I've lost too many friends through avoidable car accidents .I know Harley is extremely sensible,and,if anyone will maintain a squeaky clean driving record,it will be Harley.A defensive driving course is a very good start.I'm willing to contribute.Has Harley ever considered almalgameting the two sheds into one ?Or, perhaps painting Fred the shed renamed Fred the red shed.I remember suggesting that on an earlier email.It's a thought.Woild Harley like a car cover,and does the Volkswagen have a name yet?A lady friend named my first car,The 1968 Mazda 1500 ,Bruce.Wherethat name came from,I don't know.Good to see Harley working on the tappet issue on the Standard 8.I've been around cars for most of my life,and still wouldn't know how to adjust tappets.Give me the necessary Auto glazing tools,and the urethane,and the glass,and I then know what I'm doing.

[@ArmandoLoni]

Bloody KZbin adverts......

[@oldclassiccarUK]

no adverts = no videos, shame but that's how it is

[@ArmandoLoni]

@oldclassiccarUK Bye, then......