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TR2/3/3A Intro and Request For Help

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SASSAMON

SASSAMON

Senior Member
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Hello fellow Triumphers,

New to the British Car Forum. Was active with the TR list on team.net at the beginning of this century.

In 1999 I seriously considered purchasing an LBC. A knowledgeable friend invited me to the British Cars of New Hampshire father's day car show to get an upclose look at different cars so I could narrow down my choices.

The TR3 was the LBC that caught my eye and doing some research I had a perfect vehicle to look for, 1957 small mouth in BRG.

In October of 1999 I became the new steward of TS21383L Referred to by the name "Bettie" Bettie is a 1957 small mouth TR3. Almost everything I was looking for except she was painted red. As my friend said red paint can be changed to BRG easily.

When working on Bettie I discovered that she had been resprayed at least twice with red paint over her original BRG color. Made me very happy.:congratulatory:

The previous owner had purchased her before he had gotten his drivers License. He worked on her in his HS shop class doing some body work and a paint respray. Sadly he passed away when he was at college. After many years his parents decided it was time to let someone else have custody of the TR3.


During the first winter safety issues were addressed and she finally got back on the road just in time to make it to my first car show. Being as she is an LBC she stopped running right in the entrance drive to the car show.

Other winters I have rebuilt the engine and the suspension, added an OD, new hood, updated the wiring.

My question which I believe you may be able to help with.

She needs some body work and new paint.

I am looking for a shop in my area that has done Triumphs or other LBCs that will be able to do the bodywork for me.

Local meaning Eastern Mass will get priority consideration. Then shops further away. Shops in places like Belgium or Congo would not interest me.:rolleye:



S_10-23-99-010.JPGM_10-23-99-014.JPGIMG_0086.JPGRoadside_repairs.jpgBettie_and_the_girls.jpg
 
Congratulations. Looks like a solid TR, and will look real nice in BRG with wires. Sorry, no help on the body shop, but you have a great little car and a great start.

Perry
 
Great find! I do not know about any shops in your area, I would recommend checking out this web site of a very reputable establishment. There's lots of advice and information you may find interesting and helpful!https://www.macysgarage.com/index.html

Good luck and happy trails!
 
Body work is pretty much standard from one brand of car to the next, whether it is a Chevy or a Triumph. The issue will likely be finding someone willing to take on a complete repair and paint, as most shops are geared toward the more profitable collision repair side of body work. I'd say visit a couple of shops and they may be able to point you toward someone who is not opposed to restoration work. Then get references! Many horror stories out there about shops taking on a project and then keeping it for years while getting advances on payments, then leaving you with thousands in a car that nothing was done to it. Sometimes you can find a guy through a shop that "moonlights" restoration work on his own. I did my own work then took it to a shop for final painting. They generally don't like to do that either, but as a claims adjuster, I had years of history with the local shops and they knew I wouldn't blame them for deficiencies in my workmanship. Best of luck to you in your search. Looks like you have a excellent starting point.
 
Hey Roger - good to here you're still at it with the TR.

In a similar position to what you have - I was able to find a small shop where the owner was willing to take on the TR3 as fill-in and evenings work. The shop's bread & butter was repairing rental cars so work on mine was delayed when demand was heavy from his usual customers. I had to be patient but he worked to a fixed quote, did fine work and eventually go it done.

A key in that situation - not a week went by that I did not stop in and see him to review what had been done and what was next. If they know that is going to happen then they get in the habit of doing something every week so they have something to report.

Good luck.
 
Suggest going to a local classic car club event and talking to the folks who live nearby and have cars with body work you find acceptable. Dan
 
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