So I just sold my 914 project, that was intended to fund my 914/6 tribute build. But before the funds were even in my hands for 8 hours, I ended up committing to a new project that was too good to be true. More details soon but this is a restoration project where the previous owner had spent a ton on the restoration and all the hard work is truly done. All rust removed, chassis powder coated, new suspension, brakes, Dayton wire wheels, 10K paint job, rebuilt engine, transmission with overdrive. Rack and pinion upgrade. New interior components, basically everything has been done and reconditioned/restored just now needs to be reassembled. Car is a rolling restored chassis with the restored body mounted. This was from an estate sale, so the restoration costs were pennies on the dollar, so the entire project is just too good to pass up. Plus I have wanted one of these for a long time, so here is my chance. More to come but here is a tease.
Nice! A friend has a '59 TR3 that belonged to her grandmother (purchased in 1960). Fun cars!
You need to put a giant box in that picture that says "Revell" or "AMT".
In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :
This one should be a really nice car as it has rack and pinion steering and a TR6 transmission with overdrive.
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
I was thinking the same thing, need to frame a picture as it truly is all the pieces ready to assemble like a model kit that has already been painted.
dherr (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
I was thinking the same thing, need to frame a picture as it truly is all the pieces ready to assemble like a model kit that has already been painted.
just need to lay out a grid of PVC pipe between parts!
I *wish* I had started my last project with something that nice. Good find.
In reply to JoeTR6 :
Rarely do my projects start out like this. This is essentially what I did to my TR4A, except all the hard work has already been done and it is all stock, so don't have manufacture parts like you do on a restorod. Should be relatively quick to reassemble and work out the bugs. Pick it up next weekend.
These have really grown on me in recent years. What an amazing find and a beautiful car. No doubt it will be a stunner when completed.
In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :
Or Aurora..... :)
Found this old advertisement from the 50's. $2,599 back in 1956. I have wanted a TR3 since there had been one sitting on cinder blocks in outside our town for years. I asked the guy when I was in my early 20's if he would sell it and he basically ran me off his property. Car never was restored and disappeared many years later, so probably rusted away sitting outside. I see lots of projects on FB for 5-8K, all are rusty and need major work. I had found a really nice red car, needed paint, but was an older restoration and supposedly just needed disassembled and painted, but that car needed an engine rebuild and the suspension rebuilt, so I really figured it would have ended up being much more of a project. This car has already had the chassis rebuilt and the body on the rebuilt chassis, so I'll get the new drive train installed, do the wiring and dash work and get it running before I hang all the panels.
Pick up my TR3 "model" this weekend, I'll post some pictures.
I drove a 59 model all through high school.
They are fun little cars.
Picked up the car today, this will be one hell of a start to building the perfect TR3
All the body panels are painted and wrapped in bubble wrap, guy just ran out of money and stopped the restoration. Will be a great place to start and complete, he had all the hard work done already!
I love your builds. I love TR3s.
This should be good.
That looks like high quality work
Looking forward to seeing it come together
Dusterbd13-michael said:
That looks like high quality work
Looking forward to seeing it come together
Yes, the quality of the restoration work so far means there will be no corner cutting to finish it. Looks like I will have to chase a few parts, but it seems to be 95% there. I believe the guy spent a fortune getting it into this condition, reading some of the notes, he just ran out of money...... had it bubble wrapped and stored in storage until he pass away recently. I think the two gentlemen I bought it from did well on their sale to me and probably doubled their money, but this is a car that properly assembled will double or triple my investment and give me something fun to play with in the meantime. First perceptions are that these are both a very simple and complex car at the same time. Mechanicals are dirt simple, but the body is extremely complex. I could see where a rusty car to restore would cost all the $$$$ as there are captive nuts in cages everywhere, the four curved fenders are extremely delicate and flowing in their curves and the nose piece is a work of art. Starting at this stage it will be a matter of installing the brakes, wiring, gas tank and lines and steering. Once that is done the engine can go in and I can work on getting it running. Body panels and interior will be last to go on the car. The car came with new carpet and seat upholstery but the carpet looks like something was probably using it for a nest as there are some fibers missing in places, shame as it was a expensive Moss kit. Seats upholstery looks good, but I will probably just buy an all new interior. Thinking red would look good in this Dove Grey car.
dherr (Forum Supporter) said:
What the hell, there is no puddle of oil under it. It can't be a Triumph...
That looks amazing. Sucks about the past owner, but it should be a fun build.
Oh man, I'm glad I didn't see that first. It looks fantastic.
I agree on the interior. Red, or maybe biscuit. Check out John Skinner in the UK for excellent Triumph interiors. My brother ordered a kit for the TR6 he bought from me and said the quality was outstanding. Also, the dollar to pound rates aren't bad right now.
preach (dudeist priest) said:
dherr (Forum Supporter) said:
What the hell, there is no puddle of oil under it. It can't be a Triumph...
Wait until the engine and transmission are installed, then the leaks will start!
JoeTR6 said:
Oh man, I'm glad I didn't see that first. It looks fantastic.
I agree on the interior. Red, or maybe biscuit. Check out John Skinner in the UK for excellent Triumph interiors. My brother ordered a kit for the TR6 he bought from me and said the quality was outstanding. Also, the dollar to pound rates aren't bad right now.
I saw them on a Google search, good to hear your brother had good luck with them, as they seem to have everything I need, would be great to order everything matching from one source, I'll get a quote from them, thanks for passing it along.
In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :
Did this come with an engine and transmission, or do you have to source them?
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
dherr (Forum Supporter) said:
rebuilt engine, transmission with overdrive.
