TR2/3/3A `59 TR3 INFO NEEDED:

[toysrrus]

Hi Folks,

I`m looking at a `59 TR3:

There is no # plate on the firewall but the current owner says its "BODY NUMBER" is 1051608:

Did the TR3s have "7" digits for a Body Number?

Whatever info. you may be able to supply would much be appreciated.

Thanx,

Russ

 

[TRopic6]

Howzit Russ,
I've been curious about those numbers ever since I got a Factory Build sheet on my 59 TR3A. I recorded some VIN/Firewall # combinations that looked original from eBay sales. (The plates are screwed to the car so they could be swapped around I suppose.) Here's some close to your #:

VIN / Body # / Other #
TS44948L / EB45146 / 1050490
1051608
TS46195L / EB46532 / 1051671

I don't think the 'Other #' always tracks the TR series VIN, but was close for my car and the closest VIN I found. At some point the TS VINs skipped several thousand to start again at TS50000, denoting some production changes I guess.

I'll leave the math to you, but a possible VIN for the car would be close to TS46132L. The build sheet from TRA did have the correct high number for my car on the sheet. Good luck!

Jeff
2xTR6

 

[Don Elliott]

The ones from my 1958 TR3A (TS 27489 LO) are correct. The brass ones are available from TRF. The unpainted one is a new replacement. My original one was attacked by battery acid 45 years ago.

https://www.zeni.net/trf/miniTR2TR3/index.php?menu=&page=38

 

[Don Elliott]

That was the one I was using because my original one was corroded, but it was the wrong number. Here is the corrected new one.

 

[angelfj1]

Russ: Check out my article here: Sidescreen TR Body Tags

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Russ:

No commission plate on the firewall? Careful - I'm pretty sure that's the only valid, legal ID for the car!

Mickey

 

[TR3driver]

Careful - I'm pretty sure that's the only valid, legal ID for the car!

And I believe that technically, it's against the law to even install a new one with the same number on it. Tampering with a VIN number can bring up to 5 years in club Fed ...

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Careful - I'm pretty sure that's the only valid, legal ID for the car!

And I believe that technically, it's against the law to even install a new one with the same number on it. Tampering with a VIN number can bring up to 5 years in club Fed ...

May well be - probably depends on the state.

When I restored my '57, I ordered a new plate from TRF, so's it would look "purty", and had the number stamped at a local jeweler's shop. Kept the old plate at home in the file cabinet, just in case, with the title. When I sold the car, sent all that with the new owner. Due diligence, ya know! :wink:

 

[Number_6]

Is this the '59 TR3 I saw on Ebay that your looking Item number: 110322782965? Careful without a builder's plate you may have a very difficult getting it registered after putting a lot of work into it. Looks like it would need a full frame up restoration.

 

[TRDejaVu]

The ad claims that it is TS 46456 L

 

[Number_6]

The ad claims that it is TS 46456 L

That's good, as long you do have the Vin, it's no problem having a new plate made up. Looks like a good foundation to start a rebuild and at a pretty good price, The body actually looks to be in pretty good shape.

 

[Silverghost]

Based on this information:

VIN / Body # / Other #
TS44948L / EB45146 / 1050490
1051608
TS46195L / EB46532 / 1051671

I suspect that 46456 is actually the engine number. Going by the general relationships of the known VIN / Body# / Other #, a highly probable sequence for your car would be:

TS44948L / EB45146 / 1050490 - known

TS*46125*L / EB46456 / 1051608 - your car

TS46195L / EB46532 / 1051671 - known

Of course, anything is possible in the wonderful world of LBCs so this may be completely wrong! LoL

 

[Don Elliott]

If you order a copy of the build record from TRA or the Heritage Center using the TS number you have, the report will look something like mine from TRA. Notice the TS No. and the body number. That's the bottom brass one, not the top painted one.

My engine number is about 300 more than the TS No. Check the block just to the right of the coil and see if you think the engine might be the original number. That can help.

 

[TRDejaVu]

On Dec-09-08 at 16:02:08 PST, seller added the following information:
Here's additional summary information requested by an Ebay member regarding vin numbers... VIN # TS 46456 L, Engine # TS 47072 E, Cylinder Head Casting # 302137, Body # 1051608.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi Rich & Ian,

Thats the one! I`ve had a few conversations with the gent. Seems like a nice guy?

His Orig Reserve was $4500 (I believe): He told me he was offered $4000 by a couple of people.

So; I asked him what his Reserve was lowered to? He would`nt say but does say; I always have the $4000 offers to fall back on if the Reserve is not met.

So; I offered him the same & after a couple of days he came back to me with this offer.

$5100 & he would personally delv. the car himself from NC. He wanted me to commit to this in a matter of a couple of "HOURS"! Well; I surely don`t need that kind of pressure!

So; I told him that transportation costs from NC to PA are approx. $650-$700: If the Reserve is $4K, (I`m sure it is), The total cost would be somewhere in the $4500-$5000 figure. I "DID`NT" take the offer. "I hate pressure buying"! Just did`nt make me feel comfortable.

So; On with the watching. He`s supposed to put some undercarriage pics on ebay today. Overall looks like a pretty solid, complete car.

What do you folks think, say for $4K??

Thanx for your input,

Russ

PS: Ian; Those are my questions to the seller.

 

[Hatman]

I'd make a separate post on the forum asking if there's anyone in the area willing to go look at the car, snap some additional pics and report back. Nothing like having a neutral party provide an additional set of eyes. Offer a little cash for their time and trouble, and you might get a volunteer.


Mark

 

[TR3driver]

I'd make a separate post on the forum asking if there's anyone in the area willing to go look at the car,

But assuming there aren't any surprises, I'd say $4k is a good (not great) price for the car. Few years back it would have been a great price, but hard economic times are going to be shaking out other "forever projects".
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120342234866
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330290962323

 

[NutmegCT]

Russ - if it's any help, my plate shows 1053194. Matches the BMH records, which also show manufacture as April 1959, Commission: TS47527L; Engine: TS48235E.

Tom

 

[toysrrus]

Howdy Folks,

Ebay Update:

$3600.00 & Reserve "IS" met! That surprised me.

Approx. 2-1/2 days to go.

I suspect it`ll surely hit the $4K mark.

Russ