TR2/3/3A Mom's TR3A

[Deleted member 12521]

On a recent visit at my parents', I dug out a few boxes of their old slides and had them scanned. There were a few photos of their first TR3A in there, so we got to talking about it. I already knew that they had one which they sold when they won a '66 Mustang, and that my Dad bought his (now my) project TR3A in 1980 because of the fond memories he had of that first car. But I knew little else, and now I know why he loved the TR so much. It turns out that in 1962 Mom wanted to go look at a TR that was for sale, but she didn't know much about cars, so she asked an acquaintance, my Dad, to come along. He took the car for a test drive, and when he came back he told her to buy it. This marked the start of their relationship (little wonder I have such an affinity for the TR3A! If it wasn't for that car, would I even be?). They took that car just about anywhere: It was the perfect hunting vehicle because it fit between the ruts on the gravel mountain roads, and Dad would sit up on the rear deck and shoot grouse while Mom drove; A second heater behind the seats and articles of clothing stuffed wherever cold air was coming in would make for fine driving during blizzards in the Rockies, and it was light enough to man-handle if you got stuck in the snow. You'll see in the photos that it had nerf bars attached to the rear bumperettes, apparently installed at the dealership. Anyone seen that before? Looks like a cord for a block heater poking out of the grille in the first photo. And the side mirrors are mounted on the scuttle...

The licence plate in the last photo says '65. Look at the damage to the apron and front left fender! Come on now you two! That's a future classic you're trashing there! No wonder good restoration projects are hard to find! Jeez.

 

[NutmegCT]

Gordon - you are *so lucky* to have those photos and memories. Man, wish I could say something similar about my own TR.

One thing I kept in mind when driving my 1960 M-B across the USA in October: it's a 50 year old car, and people smile and wave when you drive by. But when it was only ten years old (1970), it was just "another old car", so people usually ignored it. And didn't take much care of it either!

Tom

 

[Geo Hahn]

Great photos & memories. Back in the day many used these as all-around cars (shoot, I guess I did come to think of it). There were several alternatives for greater rear-end protection -- all pretty ugly but also practical for a car that got driven everyday and sometimes pushed.

...One thing I kept in mind when driving my 1960 M-B across the USA in October: it's a 50 year old car, and people smile and wave when you drive by. But when it was only ten years old (1970), it was just "another old car", so people usually ignored it...

Yes, something happens when a car is about 25 or 30 years old. I've noticed in recent years that questions about my 30-year-old VW Camper have gone from 'Do they still make those?' to 'What the heck is that?'. Driving most old vans make you look like a troubled loner but VW vans make you look cool (or so I tell myself).

 

[TR3driver]

You'll see in the photos that it had nerf bars attached to the rear bumperettes, apparently installed at the dealership. Anyone seen that before?

That was an aftermarket accessory, AMCO I think but might be someone else. There was a set that came up for sale some years ago; apparently someone bought the kit then never installed it then his widow didn't know what it was. I forget the final price, but it was way over what I was willing to pay.

Those photos must've been taken over several years; the license plates change. Driving on those salty roads would have rotted the body anyway; the front end damage looks really minor to me. I'd gladly swap that apron for the one I'm working on!

Neat photos, thanks.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Cool Story and Cool Photos, thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Tush

 

[Crankshaft]

Thanks for the pix. Reminds me of my blue TR3B, even down to the antenna. As Bob Hope would say, "thanks for the memories".

 

[sammyb]

I can hear the sound of salt and moisture eating away the steel circa 1965.

Very nice photos. It shows how we are now, looking at the old-school roadster and saying "how did they drive those cars every day in all types of weather?" (Of course, roll-up windows actually do make for a nicer experience in crappy weather...I'm also fond of seat heaters. One day,I'll have a heated steering wheel )

 

[59Rob]

That's cool, reminds me a bit of mine, which is also a white one but I don't have the early photos. First time I saw it was around 1962, I would have been 4 and fell in love with it. It was owned by a friend of the family's, about 10 years later I told the guy to call me first should he ever sell it. He called in 1978 and I've had it ever since.

Sorry to highjack the thread

 

[sail]

Gordon, enjoyed the post, great you are carrying on the TR tradition.

VW vans make you look cool (or so I tell myself).

If you drive a VW Van you are cool (or so I tell myself.)