[TR] Ratco TR6 Frame

[John Mitchell]

    I purchased a new TR6 frame from Tony Viglioti at Ratco for a future 
project.  I figured that while they were being made, I would purchase 
one and put it away for the day when my frame needs replacing or if I 
decide to build a modified TR6.  I took the ferry from Bridgeport, CT to 
Port Jefferson, LI with my GMC truck to pick it up yesterday .  His 
facility is modern and super clean.  Tony gave my wife and I the tour of 
his shop, where he explained the use of the CNC plasma cutter and the 
welding jigs for the various TR frames. He said it's taken him 2 years 
to make all the Cad drawing for the various TR frames and is still 
tweaking things. He was also hosting a tech day for his Triumph club, 
and a number of TR6's , a spitfire and his own TR250 were already 
inside. His club is the one that  was slicing a TR6 down the middle and 
widening the car by 6".  The car is tucked away in his shop too, and he 
says it will be finished this year.
     I have to say the frame he made me, is real work of art.  The Frame 
welding is first rate,  and with the foam filling and black powder 
coating, it's almost a shame to put it under a car.  There are slight 
differences from the original, so it's not for a concourse car, but it's 
the hot ticket for a Modified, fast road, or race car.  Usually he sets 
the frame up for coil over springs and shocks, but I wanted to stay with 
levers, so he modified mine, so that I can go either way.  He also 
usually moves the engine bay cross bar further forward for fan belt 
clearance.  Mine also has a removable lower cruciform section which 
should really make exhaust installation easier. He will pretty much set 
it up any way that you require. Tony also mentioned that the frame will 
lower the ride height by I believe 3/8"   He mentioned that the frame 
will be much stiffer than the stock frame and therefore will ride 
stiffer, but handle with much more consistency .  If anyone is 
interested, I have a few pictures I can send.  I have no financial 
interest.  I just think Tony is a class act who is incredibly passionate 
about the Triumph hobby and is a perfectionist when it comes to the 
products he produces.    John Mitchell 76 TR6

www.rat-co.com