The Triumph 2000 / 2500 / 2·5 Register Forum

christopherhenry wrote:I note the ignition barrel is inop and another has been wired up next to the gearbox tunnel, so I wonder if the barrel is also specifically LHD (likely) and in the past the owner couldn't source one.

The parts books do indeed give different numbers for LHS and RHS Mk2 steering locks - quite a variety initially, but by 1975 apparently rationalised to 160337 (RHS) and 160338 (LHS). Both now apparently unobtainable, though seemingly shared with the Stag and Dolomite 1500HL/1850/Sprint, so perhaps some (small) hope if you can find someone breaking a LHS example of one of those?

The previous owner looked after the car, so I strongly suspected that the additional ignition arrangement was due to lack of parts availability rather than a bodge!

Hmmm, mine is an early '73, possibly built late '72. I suppose I ought to remove the barrel and see why it doesn't work first. Then compare it to drawings of the RHS version to see if the differences can somehow be overcome and then perhaps source a 2nd hand RHS barrel. It may just have different terminals or a very slight workaroundable difference to the RHS!

Lack of working original ignition barrel means of course that in order to drive the car, the steering lock has either been broken or it didn't have one to start with.

Did '72 2000's have a steering lock originally, anyone know?

Oh, and LHD Stags/Dolmites are also about as common as Rocking horse eggs, so I don't think that's much help. There's a nice LHD Stag on German ebay at the moment, as an aside.

As far as I know, all Mk2 cars had a steering lock. The actual switch itself is held into the lock with 2 small screws so I suspect that it is the same, LH/RHD.

The steering lock is held onto the steering column by 2 shear bolts. However, it's not difficult to hacksaw slots into the sheared remains and then unscrew them. You may need an impact driver to get them started. New shear bolts are still available.

Is the ignition switch on the other side to a RHD version then, I.E. on the right? I wonder if a RHD one could be modified to fit?

Cheers,
Mike.

Yes, it's on the right. I won't be with the car until next weekend. Am about to fly to GB.

For what it's worth : in my small fleet of about 30 Triumphs in various states, I have 2 x 2000 Mk1, 1 x 2500 Pi Mk1, 1 x 2000 Mk2 and 3 x 2500 PI Mk2, all LHD.

I haven't a clue about the number of LHD 2000 Mk2, sorry.

Chris.

I emailed the French club Nord and didn't get an answer.

What condition are your Mk2's in, out of interest? Particularly the 2000.

May be because I didn't received or read your email, spam filters are foreign territory to me....

The 2000 is not in good condition, the 2500 are far better : I'm just back from a rally in Cymru with one of them, and it was fantastic, albeit cold !

I know of one Valencia blue LHD MkII PI in Dorset (UK).