In a message dated 2/13/2003 5:37:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
doddk@mossmotors.com writes:
> There are few people left who grew up with a
> "Classical British Parts" training involving the "big Lucas red book", the
> factory collision guides, thumbed and annotated factory parts books and
> micro fiche.
I didn't exactly grow up with all that, but I've made up for it over the
years by collecting as many Triumph and Standard Spare Parts Catalogues as I
possibly can. I've even ones for which I'll likely never have any use here in
the United States, such as the SPC for the Standard Atlas MAJOR van, and a
set of Factory Workshop Manuals for a Standard Atlas (not the "Major"
version, but the older 948cc version).
By some absolute miracle, back in 1986, I walked up to a book vendor at a VTR
Convention and quietly laid down $50 for a Lucas 400E Master Catalogue,
1945-60. I thought it was a pretty large sum of money then, but I quickly
came to find out a: what a deal I'd gotten (seeing as this one was
practically "as new"), and b: just how rare these catalogues really are.
BTW, no, it's not for sale. Not now, not ever.
> I remember the thrill of obtaining my very own copy
> of Catalog Number 220/2 September 1981 Lucas Service British Car
> Replacement Parts 1965-1976 (also known as the big white book).
Oh, cr*p. You mean there's ANOTHER Lucas "bible" I need to look for? Figures.
;-)
> Anyone remember Columbia Motor Corporation and their great engine parts and
> cable catalogs? They still havn't found the body of the person I got that
> from.
I remember Columbia very, very well. They were resuppliers to a couple of the
independent foreign car parts stores in my area, and I remember well their
catalogs -- and ordering from them -- during my very brief career (about thre
months) as an employee of a foreign parts store back in 1975. If only I'd
been able to take some of their catalogs along with me when I left that job!
I also wish I could have taken away with me the pallet full of Lucas p/n
555296 - P700 Tripod lamp units; alas, I only got four of them!
--Andy
Andrew Mace, Vice President and 10/Herald/Vitesse Vehicle Consultant
The Vintage Triumph Register <www.vtr.org>
North American Herald/Vitesse Database:
<http://members.aol.com/herald1200/database/>
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