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TR2/3/3A Help! What have I bought?

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A hodgepodge car for sure but looks to be mostly TR2. There is a hood cable release in the picture, which the TR2 has two of. The missing inner fenders boggles my mind. Open wheel well is going to put a lot of dirt and road girt onto the engine. Otherwise a good looking car.

Marv
 
The scuttle vent was added at TS6157. He has a hood with only two vents so thats correct based on the engine number. I think thats a genuine 1955 TR2 with a TR3 head.
 
Cor blimey!(I'm British, so excuse the phraseology!), I'm really grateful for everybody's input- I felt certain there would be some knowledgeable chaps on here! In answer to some of your questions, I'm afraid I've not actually seen the car! I bought it based on pictures, from a dealer in SA from whom I've purchased a couple of other cars in the past- he's pretty sound, and not 'robbed' me yet. All I have to go on are the pictures and description he sent me. It's supposed to run sweetly and has had the same owner for several decades. That might explain the comedy electrics (electric fuel pump?) and dubious colour. Consensus seems to be late 2 or early 3, I'm just not sure how, when it comes to the UK, I'll be able to register it appropriately. If it's a 2 do I have to unsubscribe? :(
I will attach the remaining pictures that I have of the old thing, just in case there are any further clues!(I never had this problem with my Lancia!)
Once again, many thanks for your detective work and sharing of knowledge.
Ed
PS, I'm guessing the inner wings went to aid cooling in the African sun.....I can weld, so wonder if they're difficult to replace?
 

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Not that it's definitive, but TR2's had black painted valve covers. Also, looks like someone covered the glove box over with vinyl. And the lack of separate turn signal lights points to early car as well.

If you can get your hands on Piggott's book, mentioned above, there's a world of information in it, along with really nice pictures.

Have fun with it!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Damage said:
PS, I'm guessing the inner wings went to aid cooling in the African sun.....I can weld, so wonder if they're difficult to replace?
Click to expand...

Quite difficult and structurally necessary, IMO. I can't tell from pictures what is missing but it looks like they might be totally gone. It might also be worth the effort and expense of replacement if the rest is patch and rust free. The inner wings are a bit less likely to rust than other lower parts of the car so it might be possible to find a donor car and you can probably can make a TR3 donor work.
Tom
 
Without the inner fenders, I would guess there is a lot of stress on the fenders. The rest of the front cap is basiclly just hanging on. Curious to hear how it drives. Would think there would be some shaking going on at higher speeds. The more I look at the car, I do believe it started as a TR2. Well worth the effort to put it back original.

Marv
 
The cable release must be because the original Dzus fasteners were mounted on the inner wings. What are the outer wings bolted to if the complete nner wing is missing?

David
 
Why would the inner fenders need to be removed to 'degrade' a TR3 body into a TR2 body. I know the small mouth front apron (TR2/3) will fit onto a large mouth (TR3A) and the (TR3A) fenders align to it. I also know dimples were added into the (large mouth) inner fenders to allow the headlamps to fit. Those dimples do not hinder a newer style apron from replacement with an older style. I also know the drum brakes (or complete frame assembly) do not require body changes. Are there other differences that require the removal of the inner fenders?

-Those last 2 pictures show how the inner fenders were cut but not completely off. It appears the support structure is still there, but not protection from what the wheel might throw up.
 
Unfortunately, early TR3 had the 3 rear lamps as well. So I'm still not seeing anything but the engine number and grille that place it as a late TR2 rather than an early TR3, while the carbs, manifold, etc look like early TR3 rather than late TR2
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2H2NJt34OffZ2VJVlM3ekxfajA

As far as registration, I would think that going by the engine number would be most appropriate. But easiest would probably be using whatever paperwork the seller supplies. For sure, you'd have the only 1959 TR7 around! Especially with a TR2 motor :D

Oh, and as someone once said, "We have both kinds". You won't have to unsubscribe!

As a side comment, it's not at all unusual here in the US to find cars that were first sold as a later model year than the year they were built. For example, I once owned a Triumph Sports 6 that was registered as a 1965 model, but built in 1963.
 
In the last photo you can see the frame and front suspension tower so most if not all of the inner wing is gone.

Could have been removed for cooling or the result of front end damage.

David
 
TexasKnucklehead said:
Are there other differences that require the removal of the inner fenders?
Click to expand...
No reason at all to even modify the inner fenders to "degrade" an early TR3 into a late TR2. The sheet metal is identical. The TR3 front apron even has the mounting holes for the TR2 grille!

However, when fitting a TR2/3 front apron to a TR3A body, you need to cut holes to clear the turn signals (or use some sort of surface mount lamp).
 
carpecursusII said:
The car also has a low port head with a high port intake manifold, I can't imagine it runs very well.
Click to expand...
Why do you think that is a high port manifold? Looks like a low port to me.
 
The seats are from a later TR3. My 1956 had a "T-Key" to open the hood and trunk and no outside door handles. The seats were thinner and somewhat flimsy. The '56 also had 10" drum brakes; the Tr2 had 9" as I recall 60 years later. Disc brakes didn't come in until 1957 sometime.
 
Interesting, I'd never noticed that before. Thanks.
 
Couple things I noted. Seems to have painted fender beading: TR2. Two things that are easily changed so not much help: TR3a seats, and non stock distributor cap.
 
carpecursusII said:
There is a third variation specific to the Le Mans head, it is low port but has 4 carb mounting bolts for H6 carbs.
Click to expand...
So P/N 302118 (for H6 carbs but pre-Le Mans head) must be really rare; with less than 400 originally sold (TS8997E until TS9350E). The one I have is the Le Mans version.
 
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