GTD steering column

[PeterR]

People,

I have a 1989 GTD, and am in process of changing the steering wheel. But I have a problem - not sure where the steering column was sourced from on this car. I need that information to get the correct steering wheel boss. Mick at Southern thinks, but is not absolutely sure, that the column may have come from a Triumph Dolomite Sprint - can anyone else add a definitive on this point? Certainly Triumph has ben mentioned by a couple of other folk, but again, there is an uncertainty factor in there too!

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Pierre-Louis]

Not sure you could have a clear and definitive answer... As these car were sold in kit form mostly, each builders could have fit a column from any different donor, as long as it could be fitted ...

On mine, I think the column came from a Dolomite too (well, it looks like), but never had the opportunity to pop out the hood of a Triumph D to check.

I have changed the steering wheel too (as I found the GTD provided unit quite ugly), and used a 15' vintage wheel, mounted on a quick release boss ( + home made adaptor). I cut the top end of the column, machined it a little bit and welded the QR spline. Changed my life for getting in and out of the car...

 

[Jason Lycett]

fairly certain it is triumph dolomite. Certainley mine is in my tornado and im sure the GTD one was the same.

 

[Malcolm]

Might have been TR6? But still Triumph..... Or just cut the spline off and weld on a removable steering wheel boss which makes getting in and out easier all round!

 

[Mike Pass]

Try Frank Catt at Wealden Engineering. He did the column on the car I have now. It has an SPA type spline welded on so the Moto Lita steering wheel is removable as per Malcolm's suggestion.

SPA Design: experts in motorsport technology and carbon fibre composite fabrication; supplier of professional racing products and race car accessories

He should have what you need to hand.
Wealden Engineering Development


Cheers
Mike

 

[Kev Farrington]

Hi Peter
All of the early GTDs used Triumph Dolomite columns, the later GTDs used their own column. Yours is an early type I think. Find a Triumph specialist, they will steer you in the right direction

 

[PeterR]

Hi Peter
All of the early GTDs used Triumph Dolomite columns, the later GTDs used their own column. Yours is an early type I think. Find a Triumph specialist, they will steer you in the right direction

Thanks for that, Kev - I think you are right. And thanks to all who gave me feed-back. Indeed I have been in touch with Frank (ace guy). I have also located a Triumph 'guru' up here in Edinburgh, and he is going to come round and definitively identify the column. But I suspect I now know the answer!

I have an admission to make - I don't like the Mota Lita wheels! Which is why I find myself in this pickle...