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TR2/3/3A 1957 TR3 Garage/ barn find> On blocks 48 years

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Ditto on all the above comments. Awesome find! Keep it blue.

Other items (which you probably already know) before hitting the road:

- Do a complete flush and fill of all essential fluids (brake, clutch, oil, coolant).
- Replace brake lines and check that calipers have not seized. You may need to replace pads, shoes & rotors if they are badly pitted.
- Check condition of steering components - you wouldn't want a steering failure while you're driving.

Other than those essentials, drive and enjoy.
 
Well, I got to take some better pics today. Sorry to let some of you down but there is some work to be done here for sure. Lots of positives but.... The vin is TS14029L. Check out the pics, It was a time capsule. Pretty beat for sitting idle for so long but... The owner had left the hard top laying aside, he raised a litter of possums in the engine bay. Thankfully no damage to the wires. I cleaned out a trash can full of misc animal droppings, rotted carpet, etc. What you see is what is left to be worked with. The scratches up the rear boot were from animals climbing in and out thru the years. Floors are soft (espec. drivers side,Rust thru in various places on body. The garage it was in was partially open all of those years letting in some weather and humidity.
Truly the positives are what is left tho. A good starting point for sure. Body is not too bad.Frame is good.She runs and drives well(after replacing the trans), all hydraulics work and she stops well and square.
Neat items of interest: original tool roll, Lucas headlights , Lucas fuses, Vintage Triumph club badge on rear, Original KLG plugs in the boot, etc . Check out the pics.

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More pics here: https://s1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/kulacol/?start=all
 
Have fun. It looks like something you can do a rolling restoration on.
 
It does have a nice look to it. And since you have it starting and stopping I'd be inclined to just run around with it as is and not worry about restoration right now - just enjoy it.
 
I thought Ohio allowed black plates? Hows come you did not keep the original ones on? ...could not find documentation from the prior owner to do the transfer? or is there other laws that govern that process.

I wish PA had a black plate law.
 
I really appreciate all the pictures. The more I look the more interesting original stuff I see. Congratulations on a great car!
 
Once a vehicle 25 years or older is registered as a historical vehicle original year plates can be substituted.
Use is prohibited to parades, club functions, etc. It's not regulated heavily but if you get pulled over leaving Lowes for something you got some splainin to do. And potentially another citation for incorre
ct registration or something. Just so you know.I use them on my other vehicles but just haven'
t gone thru the registration process with this one yet. Plus the 1963 plates on it were pretty beat and rusty and I want a nice death of 1957 plates for it.
 
In New York, "Year of Manufacture" plates work exactly as do "Historical" plates (current style NY plates with "HISTORICAL" on them). Use of any car with Historical registration is limited, but there is no absolute prohibition from occasionally going to the grocery store, etc. (thankfully)!
 
Around here, (same laws) if they see you going to work every day, with collector plates, eventually Smokey's going to pull you over.

Hence, the thoroughly modern plates on mine.
 
I think you should have a friend over this weekend and take the thing apart. You could have the car in a million pieces, and it would only take 5 or 6 years to put back together. Oh one other thing, It would cost at least $20000.00 to get it back on the road if you do most of the work yourself.

It looks like a very solid car, you got lucky. Do what you want to the car.

One thing for sure do not order new master cylinders (clutch, brake). Have the ones on the car rebuilt. Very hard to find the cylinders with the straight up fittings. Unless you want me to have them.
 
Been there done that numerous times but not to the tune of $20k.I only build drivers anyway.
 
You only have to win your own show.
 
I noticed the brakes were losing pressure, feels like master cylinder failing. Ive ordered a rebuild kit, pads and also mirrors. I hope to put some miles on this thing while it's still warm out... though I bet it will be a great fall car as well...:smile:
Is it common to change the brakes over to a two line system? Seems like a modern upgrade that should be done for a driver....
 
Beautiful find CP! Once again, ditto on the tires and other well-considered suggestions from experienced TR folks. One suggestion though; the best color for that car is the one you like best. You found it - go for it. Good luck. Uh CP, there wouldn't have been a yellow '75 Spitfire with blue/yellow California plates hiding in that garage would there? We seem to be missing a Spit of that description and if it's not in the UK now there's no reason it might not be in Ohio. See post, "This Spit Gets Around" if you're confused.
Cheers,
 
Hello lucky guy,
Great find with so much of original equipment. Wondering if you could share some pictures of the hardware details for the hard top. Just finishing up a restoration of a top for my 59 TR3. Just got the installation kit from Moss UK, but the three rear capping pieces are in back order. Could you send mr some pictures when you have the top out so I can see the difference in sizes? The side cappings are to be larger than the the three rears. Please let me know if you can contribute. Would appreciate it very much. You may email me at ej4628@bellsouth.net. thanks,

Regards,

Joe
 
Hello lucky guy,
Great find with so much of original equipment. Wondering if you could share some pictures of the hardware details for the hard top. Just finishing up a restoration of a top for my 59 TR3. Just got the installation kit from Moss UK, but the three rear capping pieces are in back order. Could you send mr some pictures when you have the top out so I can see the difference in sizes? The side cappings are to be larger than the the three rears. Please let me know if you can contribute. Would appreciate it very much. You may email me at ej4628bellsouth.net. thanks,

Regards,

Joe
 
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