The Association of Heritage Engineers (AoHE), set up at the beginning of last year to help prevent skills, experience and information from a variety of heritage engineering sectors being lost, has acquired what it believes is the only remaining Triumph Herald 1200 training chassis. Certainly, it’s the last one that will continue to be used as intended – for the education of apprentices.
Built by Triumph’s display department and sent to a Lincolnshire college, it was worked on by renowned restorer and mechanic John Simpson when he attended the college as a student in the late ‘60s and ‘70s. It features what is surely one of the most serviced Herald engines in the world.
The chassis will be restored by the AoHE with the help of the apprentices at the Heritage Skills Academy based on the Bicester Heritage technical site, and will be available to the students as part of their training. The AoHE will also be taking the display chassis to shows over the course of the year, with literally a rolling restoration in progress.
Some parts have been robbed over the years, including gauges and master cylinders. The indicator and light stalks are also missing, while the steering wheel is damaged and the seat torn. Anyone or company wishing to provide information or to donate parts to the project please contact the AoHE – details can be found at www.associationofheritageengineers.co.uk.
