Section : General

Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

Posted By : Graeme Lewis, 01-Mar-2007, 08:51am

• Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

  Posted By : John Davies, 01-Mar-2007, 09:11am

  Graeme,
  You should have been with us on the RBRR last year.
  The car driven by the Acclaimers changed my opinion to the positive.
  
  These cars are roomy, and able to convey three not-small adults at considerable speed and in comfort for a non-stop 2000 miles. A joy to the eye? Maybe not entirely.
  
  But crap they are not.
  
  John
  
  

   

  
  
  Does anyone really like Acclaims????

   

• Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

  Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 01-Mar-2007, 09:11am

  Jeeze Graeme, did you get out of the bed the wrong side this morning!!!!!!
  Calvin

  • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

    Posted By : Barry Huffer, 01-Mar-2007, 12:40pm

    Is the roof line exceptionally low as the two occupants seem to have had their hair removed somehow.

    • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

      Posted By : Kevin Rochfort, 01-Mar-2007, 01:19pm

      Note to Vin - Remember to bring the hedge shears along to the next Herts & Beds local area meeting, as Barry needs a haircut

  • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

    Posted By : Graeme Lewis, 01-Mar-2007, 04:14pm

    
    Nah....just wanted to see if anyone did actually like them.....I just dont see the appeal buts its a hassle free way to do the round Britain run.......although I dont suppose the Acclaim has a classic feel to it. Then again it doesnt really have any classic looks either, but thats just my opinion..!!

    • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

      Posted By : Vin Poonwassie, 01-Mar-2007, 08:49pm

      Doh!, I was counting on my jumper taking attention away from my bonce!

      • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

        Posted By : Mark Hellier, 01-Mar-2007, 09:26pm

        Why does the TSSC have a section dedicated to Acclaim's anyway? - there has been a huge response lately on a modified section for our cars - should we - shouldn't we - lets not make a decision - oh don't want to upset the purists by dropping a Vtec engine into a Spit - when I joined the TSSC it was Herald/Spit/GT6/Vit & Bonds + the odd Special.
        
        Surely that's what the club has been founded on - Hearld/Spit chassic'd cars - lets face it when the club started the Acclaim's were not even in product - get real TSSC

        • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

          Posted By : Graeme Lewis, 02-Mar-2007, 01:03pm

          
          Im glad someones with me on Acclaims. I have actually driven one......we have a modern Honda at work as the pool car!!

          • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

            Posted By : Mark Astley, 02-Mar-2007, 04:50pm

            I'm ambivalent about Acclaims never having even sat in one. However, the club now caters for all Triumphs so the section should be there, let's not put anyone off joining whatever Triumph they own.
            
            We should all welcome all Triumph owners in, wether we disagree with the car they own or what they have done or plan to do with their car.
            
            Absolutely any Triumph in any state has always been welcome to attend the North east area meets and join in events. We even had and still have MG owners attending.
            
            There are enough narrow viewpoints in the world outside whatever definition of 'classic cars' (another ongoing argument) people have to bring others inside the club.
            
            The important word is Triumph.
            
            Yours
            Mark

            • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

              Posted By : Dan Owen, 13-Mar-2007, 10:32am

              When anyone says they don't like Acclaims, I always want to ask "Have you ever driven a good one?" We could ague the toss about wether it's a "proper" Triumph, probably not although I would say it's worthy of the Triumph badge - they certainly rust just like proper Triumphs! At the end of the day, it's comfortable, economical, exceptionally reliable, handles fairly well, quick and flies up hills (can surprise many a BMW, Merc etc. not to mention boy racers at the lights ). OK they can be awkward to work on and parts supply isn't great compared to other Triumphs but the aforementioned reliability cancels that out somewhat, in fact an Acclaim is a good substitute for a Eurobox to complement whatever other Triumph you have (the Acclaim/Herald combination isn't uncommon) unless you're covering truly intergalactic milages. Try one - you might even like it!

              • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                Posted By : Paul Dearing, 13-Mar-2007, 10:34pm

                I neither like, nor dislike Acclaims. I have no experience to judge. I always thought that it was people who joined this club, rather than the cars. On our club nights in north London, most people turn up by modern car or even public transport.
                
                For several years I was also a member of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC). Members of that club were very cliquey and spent so much time arguing over what a "real" motor cycle was that it became thoroughly devisive and spectaculalry boring. I left the club a few years ago although I still have my bikes.
                
                I applaud the changes that have brought into the TSSC all Triumphs and not just the Vitesse.GT6 and derivatvies. The club is only one of a number of Triumph clubs and, being specifically named for Sports and Six models, it has occurred to me that a real purist could even argue that the Courier van (being neither sporty nor six cylinder) has no place. That would cause problems with our dear monthly journal!
                
                Like it or not, the Acclaim does have a Triumph badge on it and, with every margue, one has to be the worst. If it weren't for the Acclaim, we could well be having a debate about that TR7 and so on. Bring them all in. Perhaps even one day some far eastern businessman may start production with the Triumph badge again, as with the MG. That would really cause a debate on what cars are to be covered by the TSSC. Till then lets make the best of what we have.
                

                • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                  Posted By : Jason Chinn, 14-Mar-2007, 07:26am

                  In fact the Triumph Sports Six is a rare model indeed, being the name given to the Vitesse imported to the USA, in quite small numbers. So we are a club that should only cater for a car never sold in this country!
                  
                  If it's got a Triumph badge on it, it's a Triumph whether people love it or loath it, you really don't have a choice Triumph Acclaim, the clue's in the name

                  • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                    Posted By : Chris Taylor, 14-Mar-2007, 10:54am

                    To be nit-picking, the club was not named after the USA market Vitesse, but after 6 cars that shared common roots: Herald, Vitesse, Spitfire, GT6, Bond Equipe and (depending on who you listen to) either the various kit cars based on Triumph chassis OR the Amphicar (there was once an ampicar register in the TSSC).
                    The coincidence of a Sports Six model name was fortunate. The club's decision to accommodate all Triumph owners rather negates any subtle model demarcations; there were just as many comments about the TR7 not being a proper TR as there were about the Acclaim. I remember driving Acclaims when they were brand new and thought at the time that the "character" of the car and model niche was a bit like another Herald. Sadly not as versatile in terms of model derivatives (so no new Spitfire), but a nippy slightly upmarket small four seater saloon, rather like a Herald!
                    

                    • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                      Posted By : Stephen Weblin, 14-Mar-2007, 11:30am

                      I think we should be positively in favour of Acclaims. They are very affordable at present and may appeal to people looking for a cheap and cheerful way into classic car ownership.
                      
                      They are also a fore runner of the Honda period of Rover cars so a significant land mark in BL / Rover group history.

        • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

          Posted By : James Fotheringham, 14-Mar-2007, 01:16am

          What a ridiculous, ill mannered thread to start!
          It has the badge. End of.
          
          Way to welcome Mr. X and his Acclaim who has just joined the TSSC and seen this thread.
          I'd ask for a refund.
          
          
          Q. What do you call a GT6 shell with a Volvo engine and g'box, Ford Diff and Rover rear suspension?
          A. A Kitcar - An SVA would demand that had a Q plate!
          
          

          • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

            Posted By : Graeme Lewis, 14-Mar-2007, 08:37am

            You cant beat a good ill mannered thread to start off a debate.........!!!!

            • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

              Posted By : Bill Goodwin, 16-Mar-2007, 05:21am

              As a die hard Herald owner, I drove a Acclaim on the "CT" RBRR in October. While I did not fit right behind the wheel I was impressed with the the car overall. We made the trip only useing 1qt of oil and no outher repairs. The car did everything the three of us asked it too. I would give the car high marks as a daily driver the entire fiamily could use with confidence. Any car that can withstand my driving along with Ash and Pete gotta be a good one. We also had a comphy fit. I would say if your budget is small and you want a Triumph go for one. Not sporty buy still fun. Thanks to Ashley Mills and Petrer Wenzel for the ride!
              
              I'll go with Jason that the club was named for a car overhere.

              • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                Posted By : Keith Marsland, 27-Mar-2007, 08:54pm

                Well I think Triumph should never have made the Acclaim cos it looks like a cheap looking version of a Honda Ballade. Lets face it.. it is an improvement to the the Marina!!!

                • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                  Posted By : Mark Hellier, 27-Mar-2007, 09:30pm

                  James
                  
                  Q. What do you call a GT6 with 185/60/13 tyres
                  A. non standard
                  
                  Q. What do you call a Spitfire with a Ford Zetec engine
                  A. non standard or kit car
                  
                  Q What do you call a Vitesse with a spin on oil filter
                  A. non standard
                  
                  Q What do you call a Herald with a Fiat engine and box
                  A. non standard or kit car
                  
                  Q What do you call a Bond with electronic ignition
                  A. non standard
                  
                  Q. What do you call Kas Kastner racing Vitesse with a TR4 gearbox, Datsun diff and halfshafts
                  A. A race car
                  
                  Q. What do you call a GT6 with a Volvo engine and g'box
                  A. A kit car - huumm!!! parellel or what
                  
                  There must be alot of kit cars in the club then!
                  
                  Infact what do you call anything that is not as per manufactures specification - non standard or kit car - does your car match manufactures specifaction or is it a kit car?
                  
                  Let's start with 6 cylinder Spitfires - do you class these as a kit car (nothing against 6 cylinder spits by the way)
                  
                  Surely the car is what ever you want it to be - you may like to polish your chrome wire wheels and have a &163;3000 shiney paint job or drive the car to the pub on a Sunday afternoon - that's ok with me - kit car - call it what you want and quite frankly each to thier own - it will never go back on the road so I an't worried about SVA.
                  
                  As long as it will do 0-60 in 3.84 secs and a standing 1/4 in 11.37 secs and return over 150mph who cares!!!!
                  
                  Anyway whats this got to do with Accliams??

                  • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                    Posted By : Stephen Coates, 30-Mar-2007, 05:18pm

                    Hi,
                    
                    Personally speaking they are not my cup of tea, but they are certainly not crap as someone suggested. My father owned a three year old Acclaim in 1986 and kept the car for three years before replacing it with a new Rover 213EX. I must say that the Acclaim proved to be totally reliable, nothing ever fell off, broke or anything like that and was without question the best secondhand my father ever bought. Does it really matter if the Acclaim is a real Triumph or not, its been twenty three years since production ended, surely it is time to bury the hatchet and accept it for what it is. Although I would'nt buy one for myself (I prefer something a little older myself), I would certainly take the time to look at one at a classic car show. And for the really anti Acclaimers out there, think of this, it could have been so much worse, Triumph could have been lumbered with the Metro, Maestro and Montego like MG. Now that really could have given you something to worry about. Steve

                    • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                      Posted By : Daniel James, 04-Apr-2007, 01:16pm

                      fftt...why does it matter to you if other people like Acclaims or not? just let other people get one with what they like, and ignore the car if you really think it's c***.
                      
                      personally i think they look boring, have a very kitch interior (check out the label for the money draw) and actually drive pretty well; anyone who saw Carl's at the trackday a few years back can't fail to agree with that. i'd jump at the chance to drive a turbo.
                      
                      and they are a classic, a classic example of an early 80's small saloon car.
                      
                      isn't it more about what you DO with the car anyway? would you rather have an e-type...but not be able to afford to drive it or have an acclaim and go to Le Mans, 10CR etc....

                      • Does anyone really like Acclaims???? 

                        Posted By : Dan Owen, 05-Apr-2007, 10:39am

                        Excellent point there! Or it can be excellent complement to your other Triumphs which are more interesting/fun, but perhaps not as reliable/comfortable/economical over long distances. You can drive an Acclaim all day in fair comfort and spirited A-road driving can return over 40mpg easily, best we have got was 48mpg (best my Herald can normally manage is 37) and not hanging around I can assure you!