Vale: Harris Mann, designer of the Triumph TR7.

The TR Register is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our long-time honorary members and stylist that played a pivotal role in Triumph’s history – Harris Mann who has passed away at the age of 85. 

Harris Mann was born in London in 1938 and by the time he arrived at Triumph to style the TR7, had already built up an impressive portfolio of work. He worked at Duple, the (American) Loewy Consultancy. Then after some time out of the country for National Service, Mann worked for Commer and then Ford, where he was involved in the first Escort and Capri. His boss at Ford, Roy Haynes then persuaded Harris to follow him to BMC in 1967, where he moved to lead the design studio at Cowley. Roy Haynes’ brief was to rejuvenate the design team and part of his solution would include Harris Mann.

When the TR7 family was conceived in 1971, Harris was really considered a ‘Longbridge man’ as opposed to a ‘Triumph man’. Once he moved to Longbridge, he shaped the beautiful BMC ‘Zanda’ concept car and put forward acceptable original shapes for the Austin Allegro before these were changed by the British Leyland (BL) planners. Harris was responsible for the wedge-style BL Princess which would be launched immediately after the TR7. The Princess was a large and attractive package which, once again, would have done him more credit if it had not been put on sale when BL was in the depths of its nationalisation crisis.

It was his work on the TR7, where he offered up the shapely wedge-styled shape, which was accepted ahead of Michelotti, Pininfarina and other proposals in a kind of ‘internal’ styling competition. It would be the TR that would outsell all the models that came before and despite a troubled start due to factors out of Harris Mann’s control, would be loved by its dedicated band of enthusiasts for generations.

We interviewed Harris Mann on many occasions in front of audiences at TR events and for TR Action Magazine, and learned much about the detail surrounding the TR7 – why was the screen angled so, why was the rear window glass angled like that, what influenced the nose and flip-up headlamp layout etc – and he was always so honest, modest, and eager to share insights and stories.

Spending time with Harris was to appreciate what professionalism and talent he had, but also what an agreeable and pleasant personality he was. He was so very friendly and easy to get along with. A conversation over lunch though might often be disrupted by him grabbing a beer mat or menu card to draw up some styling detail to explain why things were as they ended up on a particular model.

In the late 1970s, he worked on updates to the Marina style, then the Metro and Maestro projects and the still-born Triumph SD2 saloon project. The entire motor industry recognised his talents, so after he left BL in 1983, to set up on his own, he was never short of work. He shaped several Suzuki motorcycles and worked for BMW on four-wheeler and two-wheeler shapes. Then there was work on big railway locomotives, on Lotus and Lola models, and much more.

Harris found himself back at Longbridge during the early-2000s working with the team headed by Peter Stevens on the MG Zeds and even the MG SV.

For the fans and enthusiasts, the delight of meeting Harris never waned and he always took time to answer in detail even the most naive of questions and explain the reasoning behind designs or to share an anecdote from those troubled times at British Leyland.

He was an active participant in TR Register events, an honorary member of the club and a friend to many of us and he never seemed to tire of seeing the cars being loved and appreciated by enthusiasts, always willing to stop by for a photograph, a ceremonial cake cutting or to sign someone’s boot lid!

Harris Mann, a stylist, a talent, a part of history, a lovely Mann.

This article has been reproduced in part ‘by kind permission of the TR Register UK’ … Dean Bogisch

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Here is photo of Bob Tullius’s Group 44 TR8 Racer. Very successful in it’s day, including a class win in the 1980 Sebring 12 Hour endurance race. Quite a mean machine!

Found this shot of the well known US Triumph racer Kas Kasner with his Vitesse – I wonder if this is what set Bryan Young off on his competition journey?

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – July 2023

Well we are close to wrapping up another TSOA SA year and interest in club activities continues at pleasing levels.  No doubt there is room for improvement and a new Committee and a new President will, I am sure, add further value to the Club.

Prior to last meeting I was able, on behalf of the Club, to thank those members who actively ensure that the Club runs smoothly and continues to provide an entertaining array of activities.  They are the heart beat of the Club and many thanks to them all!  Think about joining them at our upcoming AGM next month.

This is my third and final year as Club President and I have enjoyed every moment of it.  It has been a privilege and honour to serve a Club that Julie and I have been  members of for more than twenty years.  And the rewards have been enormous!  I miraculously restored a beautiful TR6 (Rory Gibson was unbelievable), am the proud owner of a genuine TR8 and have formed many TSOA friendships both locally and across Australia.

TR6 in a WA Forest                            The Wasp 150GS                                   The TR8 at Glenelg

My first mode of mechanised transport was a Vespa 150 GS (see above)- a triumphant Italian design which, strangely, led me into a corresponding Italian automotive design 50 years later.  The TR6 took Julie and I to at least 10 TSOA Nationals and the TR8 to 4 or 5 and continuing.  We’ve been into the Swan, Barossa and ClareValleys, to Busselton, Brisbane, across the Nullabor, Creswick, Bathurst, Warwick, Sydney, Ballarat, Wangaratta, the Flinders, Mt Gambier, Noosa and Victor Harbor.  We’ve been everywhere man!  And both cars provided us with those special moments we cherish, by breaking down in Tamworth, Albany, Bathurst and Wangaratta.  Thank God for the RAA!  And good TSOAmaritans got us going again on each occasion.  Fabulous memories that will be with us forever.  Viva la Triumph!!.

The social calendar is humming along well & the Observation Run (17 September),  Day of Triumph (15 October) and Christmas Dinner (27 November), need member’s serious consideration over the coming weeks.  They are not only important but high quality events in the Club’s calendar.  If you haven’t attended before, why not make a special effort this year.

Whilst the next 6 month’s social activities are well laid out, we seriously need someone to take on the role of Social Director for 2023/24– not necessarily to do all the work but to oversee, coordinate and plan the various activities that we undertake each year.   In addition, as mentioned at our last meeting, we are looking for volunteers to take on the roles of Equipment Steward (see Bill Berlemon) and Regalia Manager (see Sue Smithson).  I will be very disappointed if, with more than 200 members, we fall short on filling these vital roles.

A final reminder about the AGM, which is coming up at our next meeting.  Think about what you might do to contribute to the Club and let us know at the AGM or before.  All members of the Committee are available at any time to chat about their roles.

I look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Kind regards,

Peter Davidge (President)

Calendar

November 25^th  (Saturday Night) End of Year Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Course.

December 3^rd     (Sunday) Run to Kenton Valley Cherries – meet Burnside Town Hall 9.00am – morning tea and Cherry purchases at the Cherry Cafe

December 28th  (Thursday) The annual “Apres” run (between Xmas and New Year) meet at the upper car park, rear of The Feathers Hotel from 10.30 – full details in Calendar section of this site. Attendance numbers required by 15th December to Roger 0458 621 161

January 26th      (Friday)  – Ice Cream / Picnic . . . this year we are trying something different, incorporating the mid-week lunch and the Ice Cream Run as well as Australia Day, at Kaye and Lawrie Placing’s house, 10 Woodhall Drive, Happy Valley from 12.30 pm. BYO picnic lunch, drinks and chairs etc. Kaye and Lawrie will provide Ice Creams for all to enjoy

February 20th    (Tuesday)    General Meeting, Sporting Car Club 8.00pm

February 25th     (Sunday)   MSCA 50th Anniversary Picnic / Club Display / Presentation Day – Mt Barker Oval, club display to assemble by 11.00am BYO everything – see Calendar for more info, or contact Roger, Neil or Duane

Socially Speaking for August

Sunday July 23^rd, we had a morning tea run to the Gumeracha Toy Factory.  21 people attended despite the cold weather.

Thursday 7^th September will see the next mid week Lunch to the Aussie Hotel, 108 South Road, Hackham at 12.30pm.  Please advise Lawrie /Kaye if attending  – Phone: 0407286194.

Our condolences to Brian and Peggy Argent on the passing of Brian’s son Paul.  Our thoughts are with you all.

Bill and Margie.

Our member Bill Galler came across these two intrepid travellers in Kingston SE – they are Bob and Robyn Adams from Victoria.

They are travelling around Australia in their 70 year old Triumph TR2, complete with trailer to carry essentials (and possibly some spare parts?)

What an adventure! We wish them well . . .

Your website manager didn’t particularly like the look of the front page of our site . . . too fussy and a bit boring.

Posts to the site will now appear in date of lodgement order and users will need to scroll down for all the latest.

Something of particular interest may be left at the top of the list for a short time . . . like today’s photo!

Geoff Ellis is selling his lovely TR6 – have a look at the Classifieds section for more details.

Why not find something of your own to share and post it? It is not difficult, and if your need guidance contact me.

Roger

This year’s Weekender was arranged in late May, around the Riverland visiting Waikerie, Barmera and Loxton.  Highlights for Julie and I were the Waikerie Machinery Museum, Rocky’s Hall of Fame and Pioneers Museum (large country and western music section) at Barmera and accommodation at the Golf Club.  Unfortunately we had to leave early on Sunday as we were heading for a week in Melbourne but we’d already had a great time.  Thanks to Bill and Margie for another wonderful weekender.

Once again at our last meeting there was an excellent turn-up as members came along to get their logbooks signed off before the end of the financial year.  It was particularly pleasing to see the camaraderie that was displayed and the vigorous discussions taking place as members renewed friendships and common interests.

The night was added to by a spontaneous on-stage display of Mike Bonning’s MD MK1 Saloon with triple carbies.  A reasonably rare saloon in good condition which Mike picked up 3 years ago after a whirlwind trip to Queensland.  The car created quite a degree of interest despite Mike apologising for some of the paintwork.  Many thanks Mike.

Another reminder about the AGM, which is coming up at the August meeting.  A strong Club thrives because of strong participation by members at all levels.  Think about what you might do to contribute to the Club (particularly taking over Regalia or the Social Secretary positions) and let us know at the AGM or before.  All members of the Committee are available at any time to chat about their roles.

Some interesting Club events are coming up so check out the social calendar.   I look forward to seeing you in July (my second last meeting before we move to Melbourne) and then at the AGM.

Kind regards, Peter Davidge (President)