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AnR59TR3A

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Hello all, My name is Ron and I am new. my wife and I are just starting to restore a 1959 TR3A that has been in her family since it was new. It has been sitting since 1976, I know! sometimes you get what you get. the engine and transmission are out of it, and may not be recoverable but the rest is there I think. any tips or suggestions on where to start first would be greatly appriciated :savewave:
 
Welcome Ron - this is a great forum, its been a big help to me. I'm also working on a 59. And if you aren't a member of the Texas Triumph Register, I'd suggest that it is a good place to start too: Texas Triumph Register Website - lots of good club members in it with great experience on 3As and know where to go in Houston to get things done.

Feel free to send me a pm and I can give you my contact info - we have at least two 59 TR3As in the club getting restored right now which has been fun. One of the other guys is also a member on this forum.

Randy

p.s. and I'll bet you $20 right now that engine is just fine, unless of course there is a piston sticking out the side of it.
 
Welcome, Ron!

As for where to start first, just dig in!

Actually, if you haven't already, get yourself some catalogs - Moss Motors, Victoria British, Roadster Factory. Wealth of information in them, as well as part listings.

Outline a plan for restoration - do your research on shops to do the work you don't feel you can handle. Hook up with a British car club in your area.

Best of all, post questions here. There are plenty here who can walk you through most any task.

Oh yeah - PICTURES! We need 'em!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
:savewave:
Welcome aboard!
Let me be the first to ask...

Where are the pictures! :jester: :devilgrin:

If you are not looking to make a prize winning show car an engine and transmission from any TR3 - TR4A will work in your car.

There are lots of people here that can help you through your journey as they have BTDT before.
 
Knowing the commission number will be helpful, to you and other BCFers.

Something like TS 58XXX or TS 61XXX, on the "VIN plate" on the firewall, in the engine compartment.

Also, how mechanically adept are you?

Welcome, you've found a great resource here!
 
TR4nut said:
.... and I'll bet you $20 right now that engine is just fine, unless of course there is a piston sticking out the side of it...
Click to expand...

Hi Ron - and ditto on the welcome. I agree with Randy the engine and trans are likely rebuildable - they are tough old units. The first thing you need to decide on is what is your objective? In my case, I am building a concurs car to original standards, but many guys go the route of "solid driver". There is a big cost factor to consdier in what you want to achieve. While pretty much any car can be brought back to a solid driver, the cost to bring many cars back to concurs does not make economic sense - it all depends what you are starting with.

Ditto on the pix - if you post some, we can give you an idea of what path to go down.
 
The VIN # is TS42571L I will be getting the engine and trans on monday, just found a bunch of parts in the boot. My wife's dream is to drive the car, so it will be a driver for now. photo's are on the way.
 
Welcome Ron! I also have a 1959 TR3A that's a future project and which also was last running in 1976!

Scott
 
Welcome Ron!
I finished redoing a '59 a couple of years ago - to the "resto-mod" solid driver condition. It took about 3-1/2 years of weekend/evening work. But, the car is good to go now, for another whole buncha years.

It's a doable project. More so, if you hang around here. There are people who did it years ago -- people who did it recently -- and people, like yourself, who are doing it now. Information and even tools are freely shared.

I totally enjoyed the work (kinda miss it, actually) and LOVE driving the result.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
 
Welcome Ron. If you find the inner rockers need replacing, try and find someone experienced for that job. The body has to be braced across the inside of the doors and the A post needs to be welded in correctly to minimise scuttle shake.

Take plenty of photo's before dismantling the car. Use plastic bags/sandwich bags for parts storage and mark in texta what's in each bag. It's virtually impossible to remember how it all goes back together.

As already mentioned, it's invaluable to join a club where you can get to know members who've rebuilt cars. This can save a lot of wasted time and money, with good advice on helpful modern upgrades such as electric engine fans etc.

Regards,

Viv.
 
Welcome....it seems we have a lot of TR3As in the works, Mine has been in the family since 1958....probably stopped running around the same time....
Two pictures of my basket case...
First view....
3487629576_43fcef2121_b.jpg


And now...
4692485378_c161353004_b.jpg



Still have a long way to go....
 
AnR59TR3A said:
The VIN # is TS42571L I will be getting the engine and trans on monday, just found a bunch of parts in the boot. My wife's dream is to drive the car, so it will be a driver for now. photo's are on the way.
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard... :thirsty: According to Piggott, your car was built in mid January 1959... Keep the VIN number handy, as it will be used often when buying parts, as there were running changes throughout the TR3's history that affect what parts are correct for your car. The biggest changes occurred at TS60001, so you'll often see pre or post 60k cars mentioned.

If you're into getting your hands dirty with this car, I recommend the publication "How To Restore Triumph TR2, TR3 & 3A" by Roger Williams. It covers every aspect of TR3 restoration...a real "how to do it" book. Even if you don't think you'll be doing a lot of the work, I still think getting the book will be worthwhile. After looking through it, you may decide to tackle a lot more then you think you'll do now. In many ways, the journey is sometimes more important then the destination.

And where are those pics you promised???
 
Welcome!

Any pictures of her to share? Hav you worked up a written game plan of how you are planning to tacklet her?

Art's suggestion on the book (as well as all the other things the guys have mentioned) is a good one. Helpful if you are doing the work, critical if someone else is since you can use it to make sure they are going after it the right way.
 
As another person in Houston restoring what will be a 1959 TR3, welcome Ron. As Randy says, join the club. Randy and I will probably both be at the monthly meeting Saturday. The club, like this forum, is host to members who are very hands on, as well as very hands off. But you can bet someone has already been where you will find yourself.

I don't like the idea of making a plan. I work on the TR when I can, and I enjoy it. Someday I will drive it. I'm pretty sure I'm over half way there.

Don't let Frank fool you. 'Finished' pictures never come, because we are never finished with these cars (unless we unfortunately forget to tighten the lug nuts).
 
TexasKnucklehead said:
(unless we unfortunately forget to tighten the lug nuts).
Click to expand...
Ha! I'm glad you mentioned that! ... I forgot to re-tighten after letting the car down from the jack just a few hours ago! I'll have to remember to do that tomorrow, before the test drive.
 
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