For Sale 57TR3 Small Mouth with OD Project. 12 yeqrs running. I'm not going to finish

[bnw]

12 year project I will never finish. All major frame and mechanical done. Painted in Signal Red. Fresh engine with 89MM liners, Wiseco pistons, new street cam, bearings, ground crank, all cylinder head work done. New rear main seal (still leaks) All this was done first, 12 years ago. I can't remember it all, I just know I spared no expense. I am a retired Chrysler technician and have been driving TRs since I was 16. I am 73. New 48 spoke wires, knock offs and hubs. Complete TRF leather interior in black with white piping, including carpet, jump seat, all door and rear panels (un installed) Macy's installation hardware. New fender beads, stone guards, etc. Tons of new parts. Too much to list. Signal Red in enamel to finish fender insides. Fresh gallon of Signal Red Lacquer to finish out side. Sorry, I can't stand the base /clear finishes on a 65 year old TR. Car has SCCA race history from the 70s. I have pictures. All sheet metal is rust free and needs to be hung and prepped for paint. I have thousands of hours in this, and thousands of dollars. I'm too old to finish. I just crashed my 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120. First bike accident since 1967. I'm beat up pretty badly. An accident in a TR3 wouldn't be much better. It's time to go. The only thing I still need is 57 Seat pans. Pretty hard to find. Ask John.... A good upholstery shop could probably fit the 57 covers to the available 3A pans. I have driven it a couple of miles. Wings flapping in the wind. OD works properly. One slow blocking ring, as I recall. Redline MT90, as per Randall will help within a few miles. It's going to take $14K. I'll send pictures, but only if you're a serious buyer.

 

[RogerRabbit]

I would be interested if this is still for sale. Roger could I get a PM or phone number please

 

[bnw]

I still have the TR3. Tim, from 2Tall, custom made me pair of 57 seat pans and installed my TRF leather covers. He did a beautiful job. I'll send you a PM when I get back to my desktop.

 

[RogerRabbit]

That would be great, I will be looking forward to the pictures

 

[bnw]

send me an e mail

 

[Jayplum]

Would love to see these photos and follow the final stages to completion. I drive a ‘57 small mouth. While it is a great car, I have to now to my betters based on your description.
wish you the best on your health issues.

 

[bnw]

I have 100s more

 

[Jayplum]

This is the definition of ‘doing it right’
Limitless possibilities.

 

[RogerRabbit]

Can you tell me what you want out of it, it was for sale a year ago, obviously times have changed in a year.

 

[bnw]

$15K

 

[auprichard]

Sorry if I have missed something here, but I'm confused as to the state of the car. Is it apart (fenders and doors off) but drivable or is it all together? The pictures look to have been taken over time, so it isn't clear (to me) where exactly you are.

You say "painted in signal red", but then you add you have paint to finish the fender insides and outside. Am I right also in thinking the car needs a complete paint job ? Did you paint the engine compartment ?

 

[bnw]

This is an unfinished project. The car was completely disassembled when I bought it. All the mechanical was completed at the beginning, 12 years ago. The tub was next. Media blasted and repaired, then painted, off the frame, in Signal Red. The tub was mounted to the frame. The remaining body parts, also media blasted and primed with epoxy, were temporarily mounted and I started the fit and finish process. This is where I got bogged down. The mechanical was easy for me. I was a professional auto mechanic at a Mopar dealer. The body work, not so easy. What a body guy can do in an hour, takes me a week. I have just about everything needed to finish. The pictures are all recent.

 

[Jayplum]

Careful if you turn engine over; appears firing order off. Looks like you have1-2-4-3 instead of 1=3=4=2
I may be wrong and not seeing the photo well; I'm older than you. Just a caution.

 

[auprichard]

The '57 smallmouth is a beautiful car. I have 7 TRs and my smallmouth is probably my favorite. Good luck with the sale. Personally I think the price is high for an unfinished project, especially given what a decent paint job will cost - but it is your car and you can ask whatever you want (and it is none of my business). Despite all the hours and money you have invested, in my experience unfinished projects are a losing proposition.

Have you thought about taking it to someone to get it finished? I have a great body guy in Jackson, MI (he has done probably 8 cars for me) and he is moving to Houghton Lake, not that far from you. Just a thought.

 

[Jayplum]

What I am seeing along with your listing of the work and time you have already put into her. It may very well be worth seeing her finished.of course it is easy to spend your money.
I do agree with the prior note, the small mouth TR3s are beautiful and classic. They represent one of the last of the true sports cars - no frills like wind up windows, etc.