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Collision repair

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Kirk_Fisher

Kirk_Fisher

Jedi Hopeful
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I am going to try and say this without cussing.

My Tr4 was assaulted in the parking lot at work today. The left front wing is caved in badly. It will need to be replaced. How hard are they to obtain these days? Price? Thankfully, the lady admitted to it and gave me her insurance info.
 
Kirk: Sorry for your loss, but these things happen. But, why do you assume that the wing can't be repaired. Let me tell you, after 7+ years with nightmarish body work on the 3A, a real pro can work wonders. Check with one of the local car clubs for a reputable shop that does quality work. Also, since she is at fault it is your right to have the car repaired by the shop of your choice. Don't give in to pressure from her insurance adjuster. Repro wings (steel and fiberglass)are junk and do not fit. Even if you find a good used wing, it may not fit and probably will require a lot of fitting work. So, in my opinion you need to find someone who can repair the damage.

good luck
 
I say can't be repaired as it is mashed/pinched flat at the front by the light. It looks impossible to me, but maybe? Victoria British has them for $1300. Are these any good?
 
The problem is that the fenders were "fitted" to the car when they were built. It takes some skilled work to get them to fit well. Think Restoration shop not body shop. It is possible that someone skilled could take a part from a new fender and splice it onto yours, but still a restoration skill level to have it come out well. Good luck, we are all pulling for you here
 
I believe all of the repro wings come from the same source. I have seen examples and they just don't fit. Have you checked eBay for original used?
 
How about posting a couple of pictures....It will help us form an opinion.

Sorry about the car.
 
Kirk: How close are you to Charlotte, NC? Back in the 80's, I was one of the founding members of The Triumph Club of the Carolinas. Still have many friends there. If you are reasonably close I may be able to hook you up with a contact there. Even if you are not close, they have members all over N & S Carolina.
 
I am in Greenville, SC. I'll take some pics in the morning and post them. I know a good restoration shop, but am open to suggestions.
 
Ouch, sorry for the pain - typically nothing more aggravating than parking lot damage.

If you are patient (very patient), reasonable used originals come up for sale from time to time, for less that $1300. They typically will fit better than the repro material. But for insurance purposes, go with the quotes from Moss or Vic Brit and I agree with Frank, get a quote from a good body shop too. Hopefully you can still bang out the dent on your original.

Randy
 
This is her pre-assault.

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Woah, that looks like the one that just sold on ebay by our member fairview. Beautiful. Don't waste your time with a repro wing, get an original if you need to.

Randy
 
What did it sell for on eBay? Mine was a true barn find.
 
Hopefully not stepping on Mr. Fairview's toes here, his car was very nice. Here's the forum post where it was discussed, there is also an ebay link where I believe you can compare pictures:

forum post

Randy
 
Aloha Kirk,

I's sorry to hear about the damage to your car.

A few years ago, a Nissan pick up truck turned left in front of mt TR3A. The Nissan bumper caved in the left front fender and crushed that side of the front cowl and grille. Fortunately, the truck bumper was higher than the TR3A frame so the chassis was not hit. The car was towed to a collision repair shop approved by my insurance company (Hawaii is a no fault state). At first they were leery of the job, but I assured them that new replacement panels were available. They did not want to have deal with salvaged panels. They ordered the parts from Moss Motors using my catalogs. It took three or four weeks for the parts to arrive and then they began fitting them. Two guys that were probably in their 50's or 60's were assigned to repair my car by the shop. It was probably another three or four weeks before the job was done. They were several minor adjustments they made to the new pieces and several trial fittings to make sure seams matched, the door gap was consistent, the grille fit into the cowl with out any gaps, etc. The guys really took pride in their work. I visited the shop several time and they were happy to discuss with me the work. As I recall my insurance company paid about $7000 for the work. My insurance company sued the other drivers insurance company and prevailed so they recovered the money.

Bottom line, new panels are available but some work will most likely be needed to get a good fit. I suspect most collision shops will want to deal with new panels, but may not want your work. They seem to prefer jobs that are quick turn around, in and out and collect the money. However there are still auto body craftsmen out there.

A picture of the car after the repairs is in the member's car section in the Triumphs, look it up under M for MGTF1250Dave.
 
Ok, I always thought/called mine was a Surrey top. He says it is a hardtop. Difference?

You guys would die if you knew what I paid for it and have in it. Here are pics from the day I found her. She had not been driven or started in 6 years.

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277369297_e97b0ea346.jpg


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277369307_f95ce0fdeb.jpg
 
I think yours is a factory hardtop model, you don't have tonneau snaps on your doors. Car looks like it may have been resprayed, so maybe the snaps were eliminated at that time.

The surrey part was actually just the removeable vinyl piece you could use instead of the hard center section. I still call the whole thing a surrey top though as its the most common name for the setup.

I'd be curious to know if the wood dash was added later, otherwise 62 is very early for wood from the factory.

Nice find!

Randy
 
A guy cam up to me in a parking lot one day and said, "I never thought I'd see it again." He had restored the car 11 years earlier and sold it to the guy I bought it from. He said when he got it it was completely disassembled and in boxes and crates. I know the dash is not original.
 
...you have a beautiful car...I'm curious, why the painted beading.
...thats a 62?? can you post a pix of the door check straps, I was sure the seats in a 62 were closer to TR3 style.Not pickin just wondering...
 
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