2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

Show us the work you're doing on your Triumph 2000/2500/2.5.
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Jonno
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2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#1 Post by Jonno » Fri Sep 05, 2014 1:16 pm

Some of you may know about my 2.5PI Mk1, known affectionately as "The White Elephant" - a name given by an ex due to the futility of spending huge sums of cash (a) storing the basket case in a rented lock-up for 8 years, and (b) paying for someone to put a lot of new metal into all the holes. A lot of new (old stock) metal.

I bought her in September 2003, and after various trips around the country to get breath-taking quotes to restore the shell, she went into storage. I moved house in 2010, and by the end of that year, I decided that I really didn't have the time or money to get her back on the road, so I sold her to Lee Godfrey, Mk1 PI fanatic and known to all of you I am sure. I then began to regret my rash decision, and in a moment of madness asked Lee if I could buy her back. The deal was done (for the same price Lee paid me, very decent chap that he is!) and in July 2011, the car came back to me. I then thought I'd better crack on with the restoration or what was the point, so I stripped the car back to a rolling shell with engine and gearbox still in but ready to take out, and delivered her to TR Enterprises on 6 June 2012. I am very pleased to report that, on 2 September 2014, she returned, all rust-free and painted, with a rebuilt engine!

I have set up a Facebook page with a few photos "as delivered" this week - https://www.facebook.com/2.5PImk1. There will not be much activity on the car for a while, because I've got to get my TR4 ready for a few rallies so time and funds are limited, but I will post updates and photos as and when.

If you'd like to see the sorry state the car was in, and stage-by-stage photos of the rebuild, TR Enterprises have an album here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 302&type=1

Lastly, if anyone has a complete set of NOS black carpets for a Mk1, please contact me. I also need all the carpet trim pieces for the crossmember, sills, boot, etc. I know I am being a bit hopeful! If I am deluded, then any comments about which repro set to go for would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Jonno
Jonathan Hancox
Club Member 7227
1968 2.5PI Mk 1 Rally Car
1969 2.5PI Mk 1 "The White Elephant"
1962 TR4 Rally Car
1995 Range Rover Classic Vogue SE soft dash - Triumph support vehicle

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docwad
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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#2 Post by docwad » Fri Sep 05, 2014 2:51 pm

looks awesome
serious amount of work been done

there seems to be some very good cars out there

have you gone body colour underneath or are you undersealing? i have this dilemna with my up coming resto and am unsure what to opt for
the current colour is a light coating of rust
julian
MK1 GT6 1968 C toC 2021
Mk2 PI 1970 RBRR 2016

Jonno
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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#3 Post by Jonno » Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:04 pm

Thanks, Julian. It is body colour underneath, on top of stonechip. When the rebuild is finished, it will be covered in Dinitrol as well.
Jonathan
Jonathan Hancox
Club Member 7227
1968 2.5PI Mk 1 Rally Car
1969 2.5PI Mk 1 "The White Elephant"
1962 TR4 Rally Car
1995 Range Rover Classic Vogue SE soft dash - Triumph support vehicle

Charles H
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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#4 Post by Charles H » Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:02 pm

OOOH Jonno!!!!!!
Charles Harrison
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Cherry Red Mk1 2000 Rally Car
Mallard Blue 2.5PI
Sapphire Blue GT6 Mk3
Vermillion Red Spitfire 1500
Pimento Red TR6
Inky Blue VW Passat B5.5
Arctic Blue Jaguar XJ40
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laurence
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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#5 Post by laurence » Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:26 pm

Fantastic job Jon :D !!, looks like a stunning project, great to see another Mk1 having time, care and money lavished upon it,
cheers,
Laurence
conifer green'68 Mk1, fastroad,rally car

royal blue'68 TR5,an overpriced toy, but still good fun, recently completed CT10'CR
wedgewood '67 Mk1 m o/d,the new addition

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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#6 Post by iwontone » Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:40 pm

jaw dropping gorgeous :mrgreen: full marks to you and tr enterprises 8)

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englishbull
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Re: 2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant

#7 Post by englishbull » Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:12 pm

Nice to see The White Elephant back to how she was originally, or even better!

Thanks for the compliment Jonno.....

Sadly I am without a PI at the moment :(
     Lee Godfrey     Club Member 7075      

1960 948 Herald Coupe in Alpine Mauve
1962 1600 Vitesse Convertible in White
1961 Standard Vanguard estate

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