TR2/3/3A 1960 TR3A Paint Question

[Dougs_LBC]

I'm new to the forum and hope that you guys may be able to help me out here.

Going back a few years...My Dad had a "Robbins Egg Blue" TR3A in college and had to sell it when I was born as it was their only form of transportation and obviously wasn't a great kid hauler. He missed that car greatly for the next 28 years until my Mom and I bought him a Powder Blue one owner 1960 TR3A for his 50th birthday.(8 yrs. ago) It was an exciting day for all of us to say the least, and a day I'll never forget.

The car was in solid original condition but has begun to show it's age over the last 8 years and now needs to be restored. It was our intention to do as much of the restoration as our skill level would allow, and farm out the work that was beyond our depth. Unfortunately, Dad passed away suddenly on September 25th and our dream was never realized. I'm now going to make that dream a reality to honor the greatest man I have ever known.

He told me that the car he had in the late 60's was much lighter in color than Powder Blue, and that it was White with a slight Blue cast or hue. Any chance it was Sebring White or was that a hard top color only? I've searched all over the net and can't seem to find a Sebring White TR3. If Sebring was a car color, does anyone know the code and a manufacturer that might be able to provide a color sample or chip to look at?

My goal is a frame off restoration in the exterior/interior colors of his original TR3. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me. I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions over the next year or two.

 

[spineguru]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry about your Dad, but I can assure you, you have found the best TR forum on the web. I recently got a 61 TR3 from my Dad, who bought it when I was 2. Naturally, I was thrilled, but I am just slightly better than a moron when it comes to working on the thing. I have yet to see a question that someone on this forum can't answer. I challenge you to come up with one. Happy restoration!

 

[Andrew Mace]

I don't recall Sebring White ever being used on the TR3, although it was used a lot on the early Heralds (but mostly as the "duotone" second color). It is a very nice, bluish white. In circa 1960 Martin-Senour codes, it was # 20388; In ACME paints, it was # 388. You can get a rough comparison from this paint chart on the VTR web site. Powder Blue is directly above Sebring White, last column, middle two chips.

 

[DougF]

You will be able to paint it the exterior color with no problem. Unfortunately, the frames were painted the color that happened to be in the gun at the time.
For instance, my black TR3 has a white frame. I just hope they never put scanners in the parking lot at Wally World.
Pick an original color you think will go well with the exterior.

 

[Dougs_LBC]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll run with these paint numbers and get a sample to evaluate. Can't wait to get started on the project. Next step is finding a shop in Houston that specializes in cosmetic restoration on British cars.

 

[Don Elliott]

Barry Shefner has a Sebring White TR3A. You can see all his restoration photos on the Montreal TR web site. Barry is our "web-mechanic". He also does the TR2 to TR4 web-site. You will scroll up or down and see my restoration photos as well.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A TS 27489 LO

https://www.rucompatible.com/triumphmtl/member_cars.htm#TR3

 

[Dougs_LBC]

Thanks for the link Don. You and Barry both have beautiful 3's. Great job done on the restorations. I believe that Sebring White must be the color Dad had aftet seeing those photos. I'm going to get a small quantity to evaluate in person to be sure, but bet that I'l be going with that. I appreciate the help!

 

[Russ Austin]

Sebring White was a paint color for 1958 thru 1960, I believe the paint codes below are correct, but there may be a few years mixed up.

ICI Paint Codes for Triumph Sports Cars, 1954-62
COLOUR ICI CODE MODEL YEARS
Black 0122 TR2 1954 thru 1956
Black 0122 TR3 1956 thru 1962
Pearl White 2857 TR2 1954 thru 1956
Pearl White 5710 TR3 1956 thru 1960
Signal Red 2859 TR2 1954/5, 55/6,
Signal Red 2859 TR3 1956 thru 1962
British Race Green 2855 TR2 1954 thru 1956
British Race Green 2855 TR3 1956 thru 1962
Birch Grey 2758 TR2 1954 thru 1956
Birch Grey 2758 TR3 1956 thru 1957
Olive 3737 TR2 1955 thru 1956
Beige 2918 TR3 1956 thru 1958
Sunset Red 3518 TR3 1956 thru 1958
Apple Green 2920 TR3 1957 thru 1958
Winchester Blue 2922 TR3 1957 thru 1958
Primrose 3220 TR3 May 1958
Powder Blue 8013 TR3 958, thru 1962
Pale Yellow 3220 TR3 1958 thru 1960
Sebring White 3276 TR3 1958 thru 1960
Silverstone Grey 3277 TR3 1958 thru 1960
Pearl Grey 2931 TR3 1959,thru 1960
Monaco Blue 3281 TR3 1959 thru 1960
Alpine Mauve 3278 TR3 1959 thru 1960
Spa White 3436 TR3 1959 thru 1962

 

[TR4nut]

Erik-

Welcome to the forum, and sorry about your dad. If you haven't met them yet, you might want to join the Texas Triumph Register, the local Houston Triumph Club. I know they meet out in the Tomball area pretty regularly. They should be able to point you to good resources in the area. Here's the link: Texas Triumph Register

I'd love to help and get a chance to take a look at your TR3 but I just moved out of Katy for a few years so my TRs are sitting in storage at the moment.

Good luck!
Randy

 

[Don Elliott]

Randy - If you go to Canley where our sidescreen TRs were "born", all you will find is the Monument. When I found out that it had been all torn down and replaced with a Blockbuster, a McDonalds and a Sainsbury Superstore, I suggested that the TR people build a Monument for Triumph owners to have something to see at the original site. That was about 1995. Then in 2000, I attended the unveiling of the Monument. See attachment. I had to wait 2 hours to get the photo - there were so many wanting to get their picture taken next to the Monument.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A, TS 27489 LO

https://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trebor/don3a_big.JPG

 

[TR4nut]

Bill, Don-

Thanks for the notes. Since I've been here, I've only spotted a couple of Spitfires, a Herald, and one Stag that was for sale but disappeared before my wife let me look it over. I miss my TR4.

I am already starting travel plans to take a look at places like Revington's and other sites - I just need to work them into a sight-seeing tour and make it seem it was accidental when we pull up in front of a Triumph supplier.

Randy

 

[Guest]

Hey Randy,
Now that you are in the motherland, you will have to file a report on what you have found over there in the way of LBC stuff. Will you ever get a chance to visit Revington or Canley or even one of the Rimmer outlets. Like Disneyland for parts.
Keep us posted.


Bill

 

[Don Elliott]

Randy - Get in touch with the TR Register located in Ditcot Oxfordshire. I've been a member for 19 years. They have a fabulous magazine. 80 pages, all TRs, 8 times a year all colour and all glossy. Every July, they hold the TR International. They get 1200 TRs attending in Malvern (where they also build the Morgan).

They have a local group in Kent. They meet in Ashford. The South Downs Group meet in Lewes. In 1998, I spent 4 weeks touring England and "dropped in" at 16 different local group monthly meetings - JFTB (just for the beer) plus to meet other TR fanatics.

Don Elliott

Check out their web site.

https://www.tr-register.co.uk/group_details.htm

 

[YankeeTR]

Erik....THIS should be your color...Ice Blue

 

[Lou Metelko]

The above three photos are of my beloved TS981. It was born on Match 24, 1954 and according to its Heritage Certificate with the colors of Ice Blue exterior with Geranium interior, top and side screens. Total body off started in the fall of 2000 and completed summer of 2003. Since the completion I have driven TS981 17,500 miles. This past summer it was invited to show at both the Indianapolis Concours as well as Meadow Brook Concours. An absolute blast to drive!

Sadly, it is asleep for the winter.

I have the Dupont Ice Blue formula if interested.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana

 

[vettedog72]

Great color! Struck a bell about an article in the NOV Hemmings Motor News magazine about a very passionate owner of a TR3 and certainly blue in color.

 

[DougF]

Lou,
Did Larry Learn install your interior? I'm guessing it was your car I saw in his shop since there couldn't be that many Ice Blue/Geranium TR2s running around.

 

[YankeeTR]

Lou,

I robbed those pictures from a secret CIA-run website that poses as being run by a midwesterner of modest means who has an interest in exotic English automobiles.

It's actually a front for a rum-running operation out of Auburn, In...at least that's what the internet rumors are...

Rick

 

[Lou Metelko]

Larry has done three 2s with Geranium. My TS981 in 2002, TS1 in 2003 and in 2004, TS778. Larry is by far the best of the best when it comes to interiors for the side screen TRs. TS778 by the way is an exact duplicate of 981 and lives about 40 miles north of Auburn, Indiana. When the two are parked side by side at a show they really draw a crowd.

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana

 

[YankeeTR]

I recently had a chance to take a quick look at Bill Piggott's "Original" Tr 2/3/3a book...some wild color combo's for those early 2's...