Finally had to admit defeat ... but it turns out

[Dan_Pasta]

I've been working on my TR3A for a few years now and had come to the conclusion that I was seriously hampered by the lack of time, tools, facilities, knowledge, and talent to pull off even a "garage restoration".

As luck would have it a relativly new friend followed me into the garage to get more "adult beverages" for a party we were having and noticed poor "Earl" sitting on stands covered in dust and we starting talking cars. As it turns out he builds custom street rods and dragsters. He mentioned that he thought the car was interesting and although not his cup of tea must be fun to work on. When I told him I was heartbroken because I was about to give up and just sell the car "as is" he offered (for a more than resonable charge) a stall in his shop, use of all of his tools, and best of all the help of himself and his crew to get "Earl" up and running properly. His only stipulation was that we were going to do it right and end up with something we'd both be proud of.

It's just been AMAZING ... first weekend he a few volunteers and myself totally stripped the car down, during the next week his welder got interested in the project and replaced the floorboards and trunk ... we've done more work in one week than I've done in four years.

The only problem so far is that he cringes at the thought of painting the car it's stock color (gray). He gets this hang dog look everytime I tell him there will be NO metalflake or flames.

 

[TR4nut]

Dan-

Welcome back to posting - I would love to see some pictures of that car, before, during, and after. I'll be using Silverstone gray as well. What color interior do you have?

 

[tomgt6]

That is great. You just never know were or how someone will effect you.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

The only problem so far is that he cringes at the thought of painting the car it's stock color (gray). He gets this hang dog look everytime I tell him there will be NO metalflake or flames.

Earl?... ...Gray? ...Oh! I get it! Cause its english!

Well, I think (non metallic) gray is a horrible color for a car, just as "Earl" is a horrible name. But it just suits the car so. Keeping the original color is always a tough decision, especially on a car such as yours. I dont know what Id do honestly. My cars originally green, and I thought very hard about repainting it that, but I knew that being my car, it should be a color I wanted.

I could understand doing the whole rat rod gray primer bit, but thats still not the original color.

Its great that you rediscovered your passion for the project, and amazing how many people you found that were willing to help. Theyre getting paid in pizza and beer right? Ive heard of such garage parties, never been to one though.

 

[martx-5]

Well, now that others are involved, you will have to finish the car. Keep us posted, and as far as what color to paint the car, that is entirely up to you, but don't get stuck in into thinking it's best to paint the car in it's original color. Decide what <span style="font-weight: bold">you</span> like best, as you're the one that has to live with it. Personally, I think TR3s look best in black, BRG and red...in that order. For me, the lighter colors don't do it. And you are right in insisting "NO metal flake or flames". Maybe some racing stripes instead! :laugh:

 

[UmmYeahOk]

And you are right in insisting "NO metal flake or flames". Maybe some racing stripes instead! :laugh:

Union jack! Go with a union jack!!! Hows that for stripes?

 

[Dan_Pasta]

I'm not stuck on gray ..... I agree with you (and 95%) of every other TR3 owner about these cars just look "right" in red, BRG, black, or white but I pretty much march to a different drummer .... and the fact that everyone asks which of those colors am I going to repaint it, for some sick reason, is pushing me to keep the color original.

 

[Dan_Pasta]

I've added a few pictures in the members cars section. The interior was originally blue leather with white piping. While I kind of like the gray body color, I'm not at all fond of the blue interior so I am going to change it to black with white piping ... and to avoid the Florida rain storms from ruining my interior I'm going with vinyl insted of leather.

 

[Don Elliott]

In May 1958, I ordered my first car, a TR3A from the S-T dealer's showroom and my order read BRG with red interior. The dealer told me it might be several months because he would have to put in a special order. Or he would be willing to paint any other new TR3A in BRG for me. I didn't want that because it might have been powder blue or primrose yellow in the engine compartment and under the car. About 2 weeks later, he found me a black one with red interior and overdrive, and when you're 20 years old and it's spring, I couldn't wait so I bought it.

I love it and it has over 182,000 miles on it now with 102,000 miles driven since I did my restoration in 1990.

Life is beautiful !

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Um, you do know that red and green are contrast colors... ..not to mention it just screams xmas.

Having only owned red cars I think red is one of the most overdone colors, especially on classics, since most are resprayed anyway. I think black looks awesome on any classic, though rarely see it done. Pssibly due to the lac of AC and being TX

 

[TR4nut]

I'm not stuck on gray ..... I agree with you (and 95%) of every other TR3 owner about these cars just look "right" in red, BRG, black, or white but I pretty much march to a different drummer .... and the fact that everyone asks which of those colors am I going to repaint it, for some sick reason, is pushing me to keep the color original.

Good reasoning, I hope there is room in that drum line as I've made that same decision. But if you knuckle under, I may rethink it too!

Seriously, color choice it is a personal decision. I really like my red TR4, but I also like the idea of having a car that is a little bit different. And being different as well as coming from the factory that way makes it more appealing to me at least. Here is a picture that someone took the South Central VTR Regional this past spring:

A nice picture, and very nice cars, no doubt about it. But I bet the first car you notice isn't red (it isn't gray either, but that's not the point!)

Randy

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Reminds me of the Fun Ford Weekend 2003. Though I was a red car, they had me park next to a row of brand new black bullitts. I didnt win a thing, but 3 of the 6 black mustangs did. They were brand new and still had window stickers!!! Plus some had hoods closed, and tinted windows rolled up. Some had mud on the fenders, and some even left early! I thought being different at least would have given me a little edge.

 

[angelfj1]

Dan-

I'll be using Silverstone gray as well.

According to our cousins across the water, it's

Silverstone G R 'E' Y

although I've seen it spelled this the 'A'.

But that's also the way it's spelled on my BMIHT certificate.

As far as interior is concerned that's a NO Brainer. Factory called it RED, but I call it 'Brick', like in this June, 2009 photo.

 

[Brosky]

Do it like Don's!!! I love that black and red on a TR3.

 

[TR4nut]

[As far as interior is concerned that's a NO Brainer. Factory called it RED, but I call it 'Brick', like in this June, 2009 photo.

Looking good, Frank. What's your ETA for completion?

 

[angelfj1]

[As far as interior is concerned that's a NO Brainer. Factory called it RED, but I call it 'Brick', like in this June, 2009 photo.

Looking good, Frank. What's your ETA for completion?

You know Randy, I don't even want to hazzard a guess anymore. Every time I do, I have to eat my words.

Don't worry, there will be a number of reports very soon.

cheers all

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Mine will either be grey or gray. I have a complete interior -black with white piping waiting to go in. You have a 50 year old TR and think you march to a different drummer? Join the club -or welcome back.

Your pics look great. Is that red primer inside the rear dog-leg wells?

The only flames that belong on a TR3 are the ones Lucas put there.

Jer

 

[Andrew Mace]

...While I kind of like the gray body color, I'm not at all fond of the blue interior so I am going to change it to black with white piping ...

Ah, another battle lost. :wink: I love Silverstone Grey, and I happen to like the blue interior. I also happen to really like Targo Purple interiors (Hi, Randy!). Black is probably my least favorite interior color, although it will remain the interior color in the family heirloom Herald convertible, should I ever get around to restoring that car.

But that's me. And it's not my car; it's yours. You're the one who will look at it, sit in it, drive it and enjoy it. Seeing as it's not a prototype or one of the first production cars, there's no pressing historical reason to restore to the build certificate.

 

[Brosky]

Re: Finally had to admit defeat ... but it turns o

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Seeing as it's not a prototype or one of the first production cars, there's no pressing historical reason to restore to the build certificate.[/QUOTE]

That's the spirit Andy!!! A man after my own heart.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: Finally had to admit defeat ... but it turns o

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Seeing as it's not a prototype or one of the first production cars, there's no pressing historical reason to restore to the build certificate.

That's the spirit Andy!!! A man after my own heart. [/QUOTE]I guess I'm getting more forgiving in my old age, Paul! If nothing else, I realize I can't force everyone else to do with their cars what I might want them to do or what I'd do myself! I'm mostly a purist and an "originalist"...but I've mellowed somewhat.

One thing that still greatly disturbs me is seeing a well-preserved original taken apart and restored and/or modified. Really good original cars really ought to stay original, since there appears to be no great shortage (yet) of project cars and solid but well-worn cars. I can honestly say I've yet to see a nice original that was "improved" by (what usually amounts to over-)restoring it.

And I'd also be very disturbed if someone were to, say, stuff a big-block Chevy V-8 into a Triumph Italia or Arnolt MG or anything else that is so rare as to be almost irreplaceable. Yeah, I know they aren't building TR3s any more, either, but there are still an amazing number of restorable projects and donor-quality cars out there. Not so much the case with Italias, Arnolts, Bugatti Royales....