Dear Tony,

Teal 35 – Worsley – 10002 – PTJ 325L

Following your call for articles for the forthcoming edition of Teal Spiel I submit the following for your kind consideration for possible inclusion.

Teal 10002 emerged out of the quiet calmness of a trusted space in its owners garage to join the other 38 million motorcars on the roads of Great Britain relatively recently,  let’s hope the members enjoy this brief chronology and the start of the story in this, the next chapter in the vehicle’s life.

It is believed the original owner of the motorcar was Mr Tait of Pontefract, with Mr Nigel Griffiths of East Hardwick purchasing the car on the 10 November 2016 from Mr Tait’s widow.

On the 11 April 2017 there was an exchange of emails between Dot Massey and Brian Crook with Dot requesting help identifying the motorcar for Nigel. Brian wrote, “The car was made in mid-1983 by Ian Foster at Trafford Brake in Patricroft, Eccles and that the first eight Teals were called Worsleys. The car was built on Ian Foster’s chassis with donor car brakes, suspension and  differential from (usually) Morris Marina of 1300 or 1800 cc, whose engine was also often used. This is a true find, perhaps the earliest Teal in existence – thrilling!”

The full story is at: http://www.skyblueteal.co.uk/page2.htm

I can confirm that the donor car was a Morris Marina, pre 1978 and the engine in the motorcar when I purchased it is a “Gold Block” 1800 cc.

Subsequently the motorcar was advertised for sale in Teal Spiel by Nigel; per chance I had been in contact with Andy Dutton, then secretary of TOC, from 6 November 2017 discussing the purchase of a Teal. Andy was great help and support with his intimate knowledge of the marque, in identifying cars that may suit me, for I want to use the motorcar in the south of France. Andy introduced me to both Brian Crook with his fabulous website of knowledge and art work, plus Andrew Noble a long time member of the TOC, owner of a Teal 35 in classic colours, contributor to Teal Spiel and who lives in the south of France only a few kilometres from where I stay.

Andrew and I met in Fayence on the 24 November 2017, Andrew arriving in his French registered Teal and in a wonderful open animated discussion imparted lots of local knowledge regarding ownership and the intricacies of the local regulatory system. Subsequently we met again over coffee and with great forethought, he handed me a schedule of recommended works to be undertaken with a list of spares to bring when the motorcar travels to France.

I bought the vehicle, unseen, from Nigel on  21^st February 2018 with 95181 miles on the clock, its collection was arranged by David Ward, TOC member and enthusiast dedicated to all matters Teal, and was delivered to his garage in the evening of the 26th March 2018 being driven on and off the truck by Jerry.

My darling wife and I went to see the motorcar at David’s garage in Egham for the very first time on 5 February 2019 and I am pleased to record that the little teal blue motorcar put a smile on our faces. The motorcar has remained in the tender care of David ever since, and as of writing with a long schedule of works, electrical & mechanical, completed with no thought or attention having been put into its cosmetic appearance.

We now plan to collect the Teal from David on Monday 22 July for a road test drive to the midlands, returning to Egham on the 28 July following visits to friends whom I am sure will also be smiling.

I hope to write again with the results of that road test drive as the membership reacquaints itself with this lovely motorcar.

Until then with our love and every good wish,

robert

Robert S Taylour

Le Grand Clos

Sark

Channel Islands

GY10 1SA