Tony Lee, Beach Boys and cornflakes
Your profile of Triumph chief development engineer Tony Lee was interesting (PC, July 2017). One of his tasks was to attend the monthly meetings of the field engineers to find solutions for engineering problems picked up from dealers and owners.
A perpetual subject was transmission balance on Herald models, which caused unpleasant drumming in the body at cruising speed. Tony’s entrance to the meeting was greeted by humming and whistling of the Beach Boys’
Good Vibrations! On another occasion, when we were beset by crankshaft failures due to the pump intake getting fouled by paper ‘fluff’ from a defective joint, he was advised to contact Kelloggs for help as the trade was rectifying the problem with joints made from cornflake packets.
One of my earlier occupations involved testing the Daimler SP 250 in 1958. We also used the Bwlch y Groes Pass on our test circuit and often saw the Triumph team out with their Heralds. Just to tease them we would drive past very slowly causing them to hurriedly shut the bonnet and try to stand in front of the car. The gold painted engine and Standard 10 hub covers were a bit of a giveaway! I wonder if they noticed the TR wheels on our Daimler?