• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A I need a shove???

Share this page

Lukens

Lukens

Jedi Warrior
Offline
I am seriously considering "going over the edge".
I'm considering buying a "partially" restored TR3. It's out of state, and I haven't seen it. I've had a lengthy conversation with the owner and I think he's painted a pretty accurate picture of it's condition. If he's correct, the price is right. I'm considering pulling a trailer with me when/if I go check it out.
I've owned a couple of 3's and I'm comfortable with all aspects. There's not much I can't do mechanically and I do decent paint and body work. The challenge of actually doing a restoration just really appeals to me. I'm 68, retired, and still able. I've built a couple of "bobber" motorcycles in the past and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
But on the other hand... a TR3 is a much bigger project. I currently have a 2 car garage. With the wife's SUV, my truck, and my TR3, plus all my tools, I'll be cramped for space. In fact, I'll have to dedicate the entire garage to the project. I estimate the time I'll need to complete it (and still enjoy my other interests) to be at least a year. Renting a garage won't work.
There's also the matter of spending my kid's inheritance. This will be funded with money that's growing nicely in my retirement account. I hate taking it out.
Like I said, I need a shove... or to "come to my senses". I can't decide. I'd like to hear from those of you that have done what I'm considering. Was it all you expected? More? Less? Pitfalls? Advice? Are you still married? lol Let me hear it.
One of the biggest ailments of old age is indecisiveness. I've caught it.
Russ
 
Values are up nicely, so you shouldn't have much trouble with it being worth less than you've put into it (in terms of parts). Might even produce a bit of return; which is sure a lot better than paying greens fees or whatever.

And my (late) first wife always said that if I was tinkering in the garage, she knew I wasn't sitting on a bar stool somewhere (or, by implication, fooling around with another woman).

If you have the room overhead, you might consider a lift for the garage. That should free up enough room that the wife can keep her SUV in there, if that is really a problem. Personally, I'd think it would be handier outside anyway :smile: Maybe promise her a paint job to sweeten the deal?
 
Russ, You have just spent one of the days we have left thinking about what you should do. I'm 74 and some days are good, others better. Have fun, if you are like me cold weather is my big stopper and where you are it's not a issue.
Did you notice I didn't say there were bad days, waking up is the big thing.

Wayne

Oh, Yes I'm married and she's my best helper, young thing only 72. You can see by my cars, always something to do and the Jag is a keeping me up to date on all the black box tech stuff.
 
Last edited:
Russ
Any self respecting LBC owner has more than one car. Try 25 more or less. Then it gets a little hinky. Unless you throw a lot of money at the car buying everything new you will be alright. Call me if you want and I can go over what it should cost. PM me for phone number.
marv
 
I just finished a TR3A that needed everything. It is in prime condition now, but I spent about 25K to get it how I wanted it. That included a few modifications that raised the price. Toyota conversion, rack and pinion, and tube shocks. Mine needed new windshield, chome, interior, floorboards, engine rebuild, pretty much everything. It was a lot of fun doing it and now that I am done, I want to start another project!

Jerry
 
Russ
I have seen Jerry's TR3, it is beautiful. I also have done a TR 3 and $25,000 is about right. Don't waste another day thinking about it. TR3's are simple and a blast to drive (just add a supercharger). We have a group of guys that have tr's mg's Austin healeys etc... Are motto is "it's only money"
p.s. I am also retired and spending my kid's inheritance. She can have the tr3 and the tr250 when I am pushing daisies!
 
Russ,
Just over a year ago I picked up a true basket case of a TR3A. It is a considerable challenge to repair, replace, figure out what was missing and locate needed parts. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge and confident that the results will be worth it all.
JUST DO IT!!!
Charley
 
Russ,

Did you really come onto a Triumph forum and expect any of us to tell you to sit back and watch your bank account grow so your kids can spend it when you die? I once told my Mom when she was contemplating whether to buy a new table - you can spend it now or I'll spend it later...she bought the table. I'm 52 and have own my 3A for about 5 years and I count the purchase as the 3rd best decision of my life (marrying my wonderful wife and joining Rotary International as the two others).
 
Russ I was surprised to see how many guys are in about the same age group. I'm 70 and am working on a 76 TR6 right now. The only problems I've experienced is with my own health. Things can change pretty fast. As long as they keep making new body parts I'll be good. As far as the inheritance goes, thats why I made sure they all had good educations so they wouldn't have to depend on it. Like some of the others said, they will get the cars after I'm gone. Make the most of the retirement years and do what you enjoy. I figured we all earned it!
 
Flying out Thursday afternoon to inventory the "project". I'm psyched now... hope it hasn't been misrepresented.
 
Last edited:
Russ,
When I got my basket case TR3, I was warned that it wasn't worth the expense to repair it. I got the Katrina victim for free. It needed everything and I thought I'd have a running car for a few $K in a year or so. I spent 3 years 'shopping' on ebay, and then another 4 years working on it. I did everything I could myself. I spent over $20k and countless hours. I learned a lot. I have put over 13k miles on it since it's been back on the road again. I've been to the east coast as well as the west coast in it.

It was a lot of hard work and cost much more than I imagined, but I hope I get to do it again. Alice Cooper, at age 18, claimed he was "in the middle of life", but he's 67 now. We all think we might not have enough time for a real project. So what? If I do nothing else, I will have something to show for 7 years of my life.
 
Russ, I feel like the youngster here, as I'm only 65! I owned 4 TR3s....and when I sold my last in 1974 I ALWAYS regretted it. I found an '8 basket' TR3 and not including down time, it took about a 1 1/2 years to put it together. Like you, I do all my work. The joy of driving these timeless relics is indescribable and you will be amazed what it does for your attitude (...once it's done)!

I will NOT be selling this one.... and the amount of inheritance money I spent was ....just enough...

Maybe (Yellow TR3) Frank will chime in, as he had similar garage space. He says his dear wife still reminds him of the yellow overspray....and they are still married!

Good luck, hope it works for you.

Thom
1959 TR3 #TS34909L(O)
 
Russ, At 63 I'm a child, but I retired at 59 1/2 and nearly the first move I made was to buy a TR3. Having had many LBC's over the years I've only actually "finished" two, including the one that I have now. While I enjoyed working on all of them as a distraction, the retirement project that I have now was the most enjoyable and is still something I can tinker with. As for investment: you would probably do better in the stock market, but your money invested in the car is likely "safe" , and you might make 50 cents per hour of your time. My kids squandered their inheritence between the age of 0-21 and I have helped them as needed, but they have jobs. When I'm gone they can have my "stuff". I did a frame on restoration in my two car garage and kept room for my wifes car...most of the time. I'm currently considering a condo around Sarasota, if I sell my lake cabin and boat I have here(also my kids inheritence). If I get one, maybe I can come and hand you tools, during Jan, Feb, and March. Good luck with the car. Joe
 
Russ
if that one doesn't work, I have a couple of projects that might work. In no hurry to sell any of them but I seem to run across more.

Marv
 
Hi Russ, I am 68 and last Fall I finished the restoration of my Midget and am now starting on my TR6. The TR6 restoration was underway when I purchased the Midget in many boxes of parts and did not want 2 cars apart and scattered around at the same time. I only have a single car garage and did it all in that small space. My wife encourages me even when the work migrates to the kitchen table.
 
Regarding spending you retirement $ on your project:
I was in somewhat the same dilemma when I bought my '60 3A about 6 months ago. I was worried about withdrawing my retirement $ also.

So instead I just refinanced my truck, (which was paid off) at 2.4%. And used the money for my project. The interest will work out to cost me about $1000.00 if I let the note go to term in 5yrs. & that was acceptable to me, because I'd rather pay a little more to spend the banks $ rather than mine, up front.

Hope you go for it! I have really enjoyed mine & I'm an OJT guy.
 
Update: I flew to Ohio and bought the car yesterday. I'll go back in a few weeks with a trailer to bring her back (carcass and boxes). I can't wait to get into it and see if my enthusiasm is justified.
Marv, thanks for the offer anyway. Rest assured I'll be sending you a list of needed parts.
 
Congrats Luken, have a safe trip. You might want to look at the weather for the middle of next week. Which way are you going? Some of us would welcome a view of the car as is, if you were coming near. Might find a cup of tea and some cucumber sandwiches.

Pictures, please.

Wayne
 
Best I have until I get her home.
interior view.jpg
 
Back
Top