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1959 TR3 - in Iowa

Bad Ambassador

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I'm Tom and I have just moved my 1959 TR3A from storage in my stepmother's garage to my garage in Iowa. This car was purchased by my mother in 1972 in Des Moines Iowa. Driven regularly until an accident in 1980 that resulted in it being two years off the road while the body was repaired. it was never returned to daily driver status and was parked from mid 90s on. It became mine when my father passed in 2010 and now I have the space and time to begin a restoration starting May of 2022.

Vehicle is partially disassembled but complete as my father was in the process of making it roadworthy in 2010. There are boxes of TRF parts he stockpiled waiting to be installed.

I'll begin in earnest next year when we return to Iowa from Houston for the summer.
TR3A.jpeg


Here it is just before being covered for the winter.
 
Tom - welcome to BCF. You're a lucky man to inherit that car, and have the opportunity to make it roadworthy again. Here's our Triumph area when you're ready to ask questions:


Can't resist asking ... what's the origin of "Bad Ambassador"?

Good to have you with us.
Tom M.
 
Hello Tom

Great start to your restoration.It is nice to have all the bits and new TRF parts as well.

The Triumph section is very active so you will get plenty of tips and advice there for your restoration project.

David
 
Thanks Everyone,

Since I'm not starting any work for a few months I've been reading through the posts in an attempt to anticipate some of the more unique challenges that the car will provide. I've spent years working on mid 60s Mopars with similarly simple systems but the British seem to put a twist into things.

As I get closer to heading back to Iowa for the summer I will start putting a plan together and will float some ideas for comment and suggestions as there is a lot of experience out there that could point me in the best direction.

Tom - the nickname was given to me by some bicycling friends in Houston when I was commuting weekly from Calgary. It started as the Canadian ambassador but mutated to bad ambassador after a few high tempo rides where i pushed the pace. This was over 20 years ago, still ride with the same guys.

Yoda - Iowa has some nice country roads especially east of Cedar Rapids and north of Iowa City, I spent many hours in the 70s folded up on the 'rear seat' of the the TR3 on trips up the NE river valleys to look at fall leaf turning.

Cheers, Tom
 
Happy to have you aboard, Tom! Looks like you're gonna have a great little TR there!
 
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