Delaware Valley Triumphs is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Triumph motorcars. We welcome anyone in the Philadelphia area with an interest in Triumphs to join us at one of our meetings or events. We meet once a month, on the third Tuesday evening.
This page describes the club – we have a number of established traditions and terms that may appear perplexing at first, but, hopefully, the descriptions below will help explain some of the terms you might see on other pages.
Also, please visit our club history page for information on the origins of DVT.
Our club newsletter is called TRundlin’ TRiumphs; it is published approximately at monthly intervals during the year. Most members opt to download the full-color version from the DVT website (it is only available in the password-protected members' area). For members without internet access, a black and white version is available by mail.
TRundlin’ TRiumphs is normally published ten times a year by our volunteer Editor (one of the DVT Board of Directors). The informal position of Roving Reporter was recently established to assist the Editor and record DVT events in photographs and text, however, we encourage all members to provide technical and non-technical articles to the dditor. In fact, Member Points are awarded for each published article! (See Member Points below.)
Our only rite of initiation is that new members are requested to write an article for TRundlin’ TRiumphs on how they acquired their Triumph. However mundane or exotic the descriptions are, all members enjoy reading how their new colleagues obtained their pride and joy.
One of the annual competitions is for Member Points. Points are awarded for participation in the club in several ways: each article published in TRundlin' TRiumphs gains points, as does attendance at DVT events (which is boosted if you wear any DVT Regalia and/or arrive in your favorite Triumph.
After accumulating points all year, the overall winner and second and third placers are honored at the Annual Holiday Party (and magnificent prizes are awarded, too). The excitement is intense and competition is cut-throat to see who comes out on top. Officers of the Club are barred from receiving these prizes to eliminate any skullduggery.
DVT events and other events supported by the Club are marked with one or more steering wheels on the DVT Events Calendar. The wheels mark events where members will gain points (the number of wheels marks the points multiple for that event; major events are often worth double or even triple points.
The person with the most points also receives the door prize. This beautifully red-painted TR3 door is on loan for one year. The member’s name is inscribed on the door to mark their place in club history.
Once a month members meet at a local hostelry for a general meeting or Get TogetheR. The meeting is on the third Tuesday of each month, starting at 6:45 p.m.(except in January – see Holiday Party).
The club is managed by an elected board. A nominating comittee is formed each fall to produce a list of club-member candidates for the elected positions: Director, Assistant Director, Membership Director (handling the membership roster and renewals), Events Director (responsible for maintaing the calendar of all events of interest to members, and managing the organization of club events), Newsletter Editor
This event, also known under other names such as the Inaugural Ball, is held annually in January. Members and their spouses celebrate whatever they want to, and a jolly good time is had by all. At this event the results of the elections for the Board members are announced and the Board is established for the coming year. Awards are presented, quizzes and competitions held, a slide show of the preceding year’s activities are screened, and a few surprises are cooked up.
Although this is not an formal club activity, an annual pilgrimage to the Triumph Parts and Show in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire has been organized for the past several years by Mark "Haybales" Bulwicz. Past highlights have included the British Motor Car Heritage Museum, Coventry Motor Museum, Castle Donnington Racing car Museum, visits to British establishments such as Racetorations and Revington TR, etc. For rookies on the tour, Graham Robson (Yes THAT Graham Robson) meets the group and is willing to run a conducted tour of interesting places associated with Standard Triumph and Jaguar. We have visited Browns Lane, the Massey Ferguson Plant, and the Triumph monument near the Triumph Standard Recreation Club in the past. Some members have even been known to bring back to the USA bricks from demolished Triumph factory buildings.
The Annual Car Show is held at Hope Lodge, Ft. Washington, PA around the end of May or beginning of June. All proceeds are donated to Hope Lodge for its upkeep. The show attracts around 150 British cars of various types; attendance is increasing since the show's inception. Antique cars over twenty years old are judged. In recent years the spectators and car owners alike have been entertained by a Scottish Pipe Band. The “British Bash” is a very popular attraction when many good quality prizes are up for grabs.
We spell it with an appropriately British "e" on the end, and we have it twice a year. It is a fun rallye; organized in the spring by the Philadelphia MG Club, while we have responsibility for the with the fall event. This is one of our oldest traditions, and always spurs an intense, but friendly competetion. The individual winner holds the coveted Lucas Cup and bragging rights for his club for six months.
This traditional DVT event was suggested by Lenny Seidman some years ago. Since then, on the first Sunday of each month, DVT'ers meet at Ray’s Diner on the corner of Rte 202 and Germantown Pike in Norristown at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast. Some times Lenny himself even turns up. Weather permitting, there is usually an impromptu tech. session in the parking lot.
In October, a weekend is arranged to some interesting area of the Eastern Seaboard for a relaxing weekend. Participants caravan there and back in their Triumphs, with accommodations arranged at some interesting lodge or inn.Typical destinations have been Cape May in NJ and the Hudson River area – the 2006 trip toured Stowe, VT.
DVT has been and is blessed with members who own shops that specialize in the repair, refurbishment and maintenance of British automobiles. All these people are extremely knowledgeable and willing to assist members with their technical problems by presenting lectures, discussions, and live demonstrations of techniques for maintenance, upgrade, and repair.
Matt Bakes of Triumph Rescue, Mike Engard of Ragtops and Roadsters, Brian Schlorff of Power British (presently not doing business), Lance Tegeder of Exceptional Finish Works, and Bill Thomas of William Thomas Restorations have all organized or will organize such sessions in the future. Past topics have included "Lucas Electrics", mass car tune-ups, "How to Install Soft Tops on TR6s", "Bodywork Preparation and Repairs with Lead", Rebuilding a Transmission", "Replacing the Veneer on a Wood Dash", "MIG Welding Techniques", as well as guest speakers such as Mike Cook.
These events, while not sponsored by Delaware Valley Triumphs, are important local events that we support in some form or another.
Hellertown Show
This show is held in June in a wooded park near Hellertown, PA. Voting is by popular vote and has a laid back atmosphere. It is noted for its excellent breakfasts and unique awards.
VTR Regional and National Events
DVT is well represented at these events, usually held in July or August. In 2004 approximately 20 members and their cars attended the Nationals in Richmond, VA and came away with NINE Awards for the Concourse and Popular Choice events.
Roadster Factory Summer Party
The Roadster Factory hosts a Summer Party annually in August at its headquarters on Charles’ farm in Armagh, PA. The DVT Club Marquee (actually Ron, Mike, and Peggy Hoinowski’s pink flamingo-adorned tent) is a popular meeting point for DVT members. Thirtyfive members attended in 2003, best known for its atrocious weather.
Heart of Bucks, Doylestown Show
This show is held over two days in Doylestown, PA in August. DVT has been awarded the plaque for most cars entered for several years. It is a judged show and DVT members usually congregate in the DVT tent adorned with club banner and Union Jack flags, but well away from the unmuffled engine that a stall holder brings each year.
Buckingham Concours
This annual event is held in September in Buckingham, PA. It is a very well-supported show of British, other foreign, and American antique cars. Proceeds are donated to Save the Bucks County Land Preservation Society. It holds a “black tie” dinner the night before and hosts a champagne breakfast on the day of the show. Judging is held at this prestigious event, and we're proud to note that DVT members usually come away with several trophies. Another feature of the show is the lone piper that slow marches the lines of cars each year. When he reaches the DVT tent adorned as usual with club banner and Union Jacks, he stops, plays the UK national anthem, and solemnly salutes.
Brits at the Village
The last show of the year is organized by our sister club, the MG Club of Philadelphia. It was originally called MGs at Mercer, before expanding and moving to its current location. This is a laid back show with popular voting and is a fitting end to the show season.
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dvtwebmaster@delvaltrs.org
with questions or comments about this web site.
We list local regional, and national events that we believe would be of substantial interest to our members. This includes Triumph events as well as selected other British marque events. To submit an event for possible addition to our events page, send an email to: events@delvaltrs.org
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