[Fot] Fwd: Re: Charlie Kates and his TR4 BAT vs GATOR

[Bill Dentinger]

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 On Monday, September 30, 2019, TR3driver at ca.rr.com <TR3driver at ca.rr.com> wrote:

Randall (et all)...
Does anyone know what happened to Ken's TRIUMPH TR2 car?  It was very special.
The way I understand it, he purchased it across the pond when he was stationed there in the service.  I think that is how he got connected with early TRIUMPH competition parts connections, like Daryll Uprichards (sp?) and Cox and Buckles.  It was a daily driver over there, and he shipped it home when he was discharged.  I don't remember it being a Long Door, but it was a low dash plate  number TR2, and he kept it in gorgeous condition.  It must have been tricked up some since TRIUMPH built it, because he drag raced it in 'handicapped drag races', and it was a champion.  It used to beat the early Corvettes.  It had four ten inch alfin aluminum brake drums, and these were by TRIUMPH (supposedly they only made fifty sets).  An Italian made 10" Alfin Drum was available "after market", and Old Blue has two of those in the rear.
Can anyone remember Ken's close buddy (Art, I think...maybe not).  Super nice guy, but 180 degrees different than Ken.  Ken would talk a mile a minute, and his friend would just stand there and smile.  But they were great buddies.
Bill Dentinger


-----Original Message-----
From: Randall <TR3driver at ca.rr.com>
To: 'Bill Dentinger' <billdentin at aol.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 30, 2019 10:33 am
Subject: RE: [Fot] Charlie Kates and his TR4 BAT vs GATOR

I believe it was more local than Orange county; specifically Temple City CA
where he and Helen lived.  I know he served multiple terms on the city
council, and at least one or two as mayor.

I miss him too.  As is so often the case, I wish I had spent more time
listening to his stories.

-- Randall 
56 TR3 TS13571L once and future daily driver
71 Stag LE1473 - awaiting engine rebuild
71-2-3 Stag - awaiting gearbox rebuild 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fot [mailto:fot-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of 
> Bill Dentinger via Fot
> Sent: Monday, September 30, 2019 8:17 AM
> To: stutztr4 at gmail.com; vangoughv at hotmail.com
> Cc: fot at autox.team.net; fubog1 at aol.com
> Subject: Re: [Fot] Charlie Kates and his TR4 BAT vs GATOR
> 
> Bruce...
> 
> All these names sure bring back memories.
> 
> Ken Gillanders was a Piece of Work (meant as a complimentary 
> description!)  Ken's original Claim to Fame was drag racing 
> his TR2 against Corvettes (handicapped) in the early 1950s.  
> And it was a Champion too.  No one was more enthusiastic 
> about TRIUMPH than Ken.  If I remember correctly, he was a 
> local politician (Orange County, CA?), and like all 
> politicians, he was verbose (chatty).  He could and 
> would...talk your arm off.  Later on he started British Frame 
> and Engine, a mail order source of TRIUMPH competition parts. 
>  Another, lesser known, fact about Ken, was his love of 
> MAGIC.  I believe there is some sort of MAGIC HALL of FAME in 
> his home town, and Ken was a frequent visitor, and loved to 
> show it off to visitors.  
> Sadly, both he and his wife had serious health problems at 
> the end, impacting dealing with British Frame and Engine.
> 
> 
> Ken was a Piece of Work.  I miss him.
> 
> Bill Dentinger
> 
> 

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