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I have the opportunity to purchase a 1957 TR3 with overdrive, that was the recipient of a frame-off restoration in 1986(!), driven a couple of times and then stored in a garage until a couple of weeks ago. Really. From the pictures I have, the car looks as though the restoration was only last week, with excellent cosmetics, a dry, no-rust underbody (and no dirt or grease), in fact no rust at all according to the intermediary where it is currently stored, which I will verify with a personal inspection next week. The car was started with no problems and ran with no visible or audible issues. Compression test indicates 185-200 across the four cylinders and plugs good.
My question is a two-part one: What should I be looking for when inspecting/driving the car that is beyond the "norm?" That is, what items might be hidden a three-decade slumber, that I should be extra-vigilant about?
Part two: Assuming I purchase the car, and it is in the purported good condition, what beyond normal wear and tear items should I systematically replace? Tires, of course. All rubber hoses? All fluids? Flush the radiator? What about the fuel tank? Suspension? Steering? Again, any hidden gremlins?
Thanks in advance for any comments and answers. See attached photos.
My question is a two-part one: What should I be looking for when inspecting/driving the car that is beyond the "norm?" That is, what items might be hidden a three-decade slumber, that I should be extra-vigilant about?
Part two: Assuming I purchase the car, and it is in the purported good condition, what beyond normal wear and tear items should I systematically replace? Tires, of course. All rubber hoses? All fluids? Flush the radiator? What about the fuel tank? Suspension? Steering? Again, any hidden gremlins?
Thanks in advance for any comments and answers. See attached photos.