TR2/3/3A Original Knock-Off Hammer

[Editor_Reid]

Could someone please tell me what the original knock-off hammer was for a Small Mouth TR3:

Thor copper/copper?
Thor copper/hide?
Something else?

Thanks.

 

[sp53]

They were made of lead; I will take a picture later today for you.

 

[Editor_Reid]

They were made of lead; I will take a picture later today for you.

Thanks, looking forward to it.

 

[TR4nut]

Sold this toolkit a couple of years ago with my 3A. I believe the hammer on the right was original

 

[Editor_Reid]

Excellent, thanks.

 

[NutmegCT]

On page 25 of the TR3 Practical Hints manual:

A copper faced hammer is provided with cars fitted with wire (" knock on ") wheels to facilitate hub cap removal.

 

[Editor_Reid]

Hmmm... this brings up the whole question of where, exactly, were wire wheels installed? The original bill of sale for my 1957 small mouth TR3 is dated December 8, 1956, and is annotated that delivery was made in late March. So it took almost four months for the dealer to obtain a car with the colors and options the buyer specified, or to get one ordered from the factory and shipped to Massachusetts.

So I wonder, were the wire wheels installed at the factory, where they would have supposedly included the "factory original" knock-off hammer, or were the wire wheels installed by the distributor (the USA-based distributor) where they may have come up with whatever was handy for a knock-off hammer?

 

[NutmegCT]

I'm certainly no expert! But over the years I've read that many import cars had "options" installed both at the factory *and* at the local dealer. Does the BoS show options?

 

[Editor_Reid]

I'm certainly no expert! But over the years I've read that many import cars had "options" installed both at the factory *and* at the local dealer. Does the BoS show options?

Yes, the Bill of Sale lists:

• the desired colors (Pearl White, red leather interior, black hood),
• rear seat,
• wire wheels,
• tonneau cover,
• heater, and
• adjustable steering.

Ordered on December 8, 1956 and delivered March 27, 1957.

 

[NutmegCT]

Well, what's left of my brain tells me that if the dealer received the car with the options that were ordered, it should have had the copper hammer included.. But if the dealer had to swap the wheels upon arrival, then who knows what hammer the dealer may have provided. (Tho' I'd guess that a reputable dealer would have at least tried to find the factory-specified type hammer.)

 

[Hamish Racing]

having been brought up with vintage cars here in the uk and often given the wheel jobs in the racing paddock and at home when I was big enough to swing the hammer the copper ones can still damage the spin on ears but the lead ones give a satisfying dead blow. And you can make them yourself with an iron pan and a sand box mould.

 

[NutmegCT]

So I guess one of the questions is: authenticity, or utility?

 

[Editor_Reid]

Well, as I mentioned in the opening post in this subject, I'm looking for the answer to what was original.

I've got big lead hammers, that won't damage knockoffs, for actual use. That's easy. I'm researching originality, and that's often not so easy!

 

[NutmegCT]

When I had my TR, I found lots of detailed history and information in the Piggott series.

Amazon.com : piggott tr2 tr3

If I recall, the different toolkits were shown and described, as well as options and changes along the way.

 

[Editor_Reid]

When I had my TR, I found lots of detailed history and information in the Piggott series.

Amazon.com : piggott tr2 tr3

If I recall, the different toolkits were shown and described, as well as options and changes along the way.

Thanks. I know Bill well. He writes for my Healey mag. I'll ask him what he thinks is correct (original).