The Finding of FAY by Gary Hughes.

Gary had never forgotten that his late father, Alan once owned a 2000 Roadster, FAY 635. Alan sold FAY in 1967 but always missed thereafter because she had been his favourite car. Unfortunately Alan died in February 2000 but FAY remained in Gary’s mind. In 2007 Gary posted a “Looking for FAY” message on the TR Register Forum, which was seen by Ian Selinger, the Triumph Roadster club membership secretary. Ian checked with archivist Glynn Ford and they found that Keith Gulliford had the car after taking it over from the late, and greatly missed, Dave Elmer. Gary was put in touch with Keith and below is a selection of the relevant emails:

To Glynn Ford from Gary Hughes:

Dear Glynn, Many thanks for this information. I am absolutely overwhelmed with this news. My Dad (Alan Hughes) died of the dreaded cancer, February 19th 2000 aged just 57. He was a massive Triumph fan. His favourite of all being FAY. I believe he sold the vehicle in 67/68. For years, Dad told me and my brother Steven (both of us born after FAY had been sold) that FAY was long gone. I have photo’s of FAY from 67 up in Glenshee, Scotland as Dad drove her up there from South Harrow with some friends for a skiing trip. Since Dad has gone I have been thinking of buying aTriumph and carrying on living his dream.To my astonishment, FAY appeared on the DVLA website as a licensed vehicle. Since this discoveryl ast week, I haven’t really slept at all. Is there anyway you can put me in touch with the current owner as I am desperate to find her. Many thanks again, GaryHughes.

To Keith Gulliford from Gary Hughes:

Dear Keith, As you may of gathered, all this is just amazing stuff for me. If only my Dad could read this, he would be absolutely gobsmacked but equally as delighted. I’m extremely grateful that you’ve taken the time to respond to my note. It sounds like FAY has had quite a journey. I wonder what happened to her original engine? I have some photo’s of what I believe could be her original lump. I will scan these and send themo n to you.I believe Dad repainted her black as other photo’s show. The photo below was taken in Scotland over 40 years ago. Dad and fellow friends(Scouts) enjoyed many a skiing trip. I would love to see any photo’s you have, past and present.As for the restoration, I am extremely glad you are looking after her. If I’m honest, I’d love to have her now but you can rest assured, you have already found a buyer when the time arises. I was born in 1972, a few years after Dad sold FAY.To be able to see the car my father talked about, and regretted ever parting with,would mean the world to me. This last week has triggered many memories and has given me something back to cherish. I do hope we can keep in contact and you understand the interest I have in FAY. I’m also keen to see photo’s of your own Roadster. I believe FAY is 58 this year, I am so pleased she is still around. Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Best regards, Gary Hughes

To Gary from Keith:

Dear Gary, I first saw FAY635 in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, in 1988, just up the road from me. It was a total basket case; the chassis with no running gear was outside the front door, the body tub was slung from the garage ceiling, and everything had been heavily modified with parts and engine from a 1962 Vanguard Series 3. I thought, “Pity the poor sucker who has to fix this lot!” The owner was Neville Smith, a Jowett fan. He knew very little about Roadsters and had paid a lot of money fort his at a time when prices were high. His wife was very ill, and took up a lot of his time. She has since died. Dave Elmer smashed his car in France, and was looking for a chassis to swap the parts across. Neville was now not too good and FAY went up for sale. Dave bought the entire caboodle, although the 6-cylinder engine and gearbox were not in evidence. It was there in 1988, but in pieces. I took the parts to Ferndown, Dorset, and Dave sent the roughly assembled car down by lorry. He was not well, and decided that the project was too much for him. In a fit of madness, I bought FAY with most of the parts from Dave’s wreck, including the 4 cylinder engine and gearbox. So now I have plenty to get on with. When I have worked out how to do it, I will send photo’s, hopefully soon. As you know, Dear Dave passed away with cancer, and Neville died last summer. People keep saying that I could get a lot of money for the number, but I say NO! The number belongs to the car, and you contacting me proves my point. If people want to have personal numbers on their nondescript tin bubbles then that is up to them. This is part of the history of the car, and the only way to trace it back. If you can help me with this, I would be grateful. I shall be rebuilding the car to its original condition, but it will be a dark pearlescent blue, not black. The chassis is now complete with running gear and engine and gearbox with overdrive. It will not be completed until 2008, and then I will sell it, but only to a responsible person. The price will be £**,***. I know this is high, but everything will have been done to the finest level. All parts will have been inspected and renewed where necessary. I am not doing this for a living, so I can put more time into it. I have had my own Roadster for 45 years, and a Renown for 34 years. Both are in good condition, and running on the road. Nice to hear from you. Come back to me on this. Keith G.