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New Project

Cool John, looking forward to seeing it come together.

Cheers
Tush
 
Dave, we need to get you back to work so we can see more videos. You've done most of the hard work already. JP, glad to hear a new job is lined up...so it shouldn't be too long till you are making progress too.

I got a call last week from the chrome shop. I dropped off what little chrome was still there and it is ready to come back home when they open after the holidays. A few of the highlights:

I decided to dissassemble the fuel cap and rechrome it, even though it was in bad shape. I have 5 caps I got in my $100 "bulk" purchase last year, but the old crappy TR2 cap was the only one worth messing with. Plus, most of them were the newer style.

The trim around the front grill opening was cracked, and it is NLA. The chrome guy said this trim was brass, but I did not believe him. I took it back home and started silver soldering it...and it turns out he was right...it's brass. I shouldn't doubt my chrome guy! Other items that you would not guess are brass are the windscreen frame, and even the tenon plates.

The flash on my camera died from looking at nasty Triumph parts thousands of times. I need to get a new one so I can post the progress.
 
The Donor car from Marv arrived last night. It was a sad sight as it was the only car left on the big 18 wheeler, with the front apron off and one of the wire wheels having fallen off sideways. The driver, Rolo, said it had more gawkers than any of the fancy cars he's ever hauled. Cars would constantly block the freeway to get a good look at it.

Getting the car down was straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film. First Rolo lifted the corner enough for me to get the wire back on. Luckily I had an extra knock off nut laying around to hold it, as the knock off was nowhere to be found...problably why a little MGA had followed him for several miles in my town...bet he saw it come off.

The car seemed to steer, although the steering column was just hanging with no dash to hold it up. I hooked a long strap to my lawn tractor and started to pull it out, while Rolo sat on all the parts in the drivers seat of the Triumph and steered. It had to go uphill on the ramp, but once over the trailer wheels, it was all downhill. Have I mentioned that there are no pedals or hand brake?

As it crested the ramp hill, the strap went slack and I remember having a fleeting thought that we had not thought through this very well...the Triumph was off racing again!

What followed was not a pretty sight. The steering column came out of the car about halfway down the ramp. That probably didn't matter, as Rolo was bouncing all over the inside of the car along with the piles of parts. I saw the mean looking front of the Triumph with no apron heading right at me at about 4 times the speed my lawn tractor could muster, so I start jogging back and forth in slow mower fashion (slow mowershion is the new word we invented), trying to decide the best direction to avoid the inevitable pile-up. No steering, no brakes, and two grown men screaming at the top of our lungs! I had never noticed how much the front of a Triumph looks like a hungry mouth when it's coming at you fast...

We were saved from ourselves when the Triumph's front wheels went pigeon toed as Rolo pulled the steering gear out through the firewall. (Did I mention that I learned a new way to remove the TR3 steering gear from the top, envolving a truck driver and a semi??) I am not completely sure what happened next...as it was mostly dark...but when the dust settled I found myself over the street curb mowing a groove through my neighbors grass (no charge). Rolo was a block away, in the passenger's seat holding a beautifully removed steering gear, including all 5 feet of column and wheel, and all the neighbors were rolling around their yards laughing.

Rolo said the ride was worth the drive.

The fun is over and it's a new day. Time to get to work resurrecting a TR2!
 
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What? No pictures or video? :smile:

Can't wait to start seeing more progress on your TR2.

Scott
 
A video of the event would be great!!!
 
John
You Pm'd and said the TR3 got there last night but what a story with the unloading. Can't imagine a w/w knockoff coming off. Wonder if it had help at a stop somewhere. Can't say I checked them before we loaded it so it is possible. A video of the event would have great. Glad no one was hurt. I'll ask Rolo if his heart skipped a beat or two.

Marv
 
I wish we would have gotten pictures. I told the family I would need help that evening, so they promptly all bailed to the mall...of course! Anyway, the video would have been a good view of the car cresting the top of the ramp...then a blurr as everyone ran for their lives.

Marv, Rolo said the wheel was on at the stop before mine, so you may be right. He said the Triumph drew a crowd everywhere he went...and stopped. So I am sure somebody has a nice chrome Triumph knockoff nut on their mantle! It was just lucky I had been working on the old knock off nuts, so had one handy...or the story would have even been funnier. Thanks again for the donor...I will finally get a good look at it today. Can't wait!
 
First look today.

I've got a lot of work to do. The donor has bondo throughout the engine compartment, so it will take a lot of work to see what I'm dealing with. After stripping, the preliminary body work includes:

1) Remove the scuttle vent.
2) Remove the inner tail lights.
3) Remove the dimples in the inner fenders for the headlights, and add holes as the TR2 has.
4) Replace front body mounts.
5) Fill holes and add correct holes for TR2...and there are a lot both ways.
6) Replace driver floor.
7) Take parts from 6 doors to get 2 good...they are all dented.
8) Convert the boot lid from center latch to side latch.

None of this is that hard, but there is sure a lot of it to do!
 
Hi
John: H
I feel your excitement on the project. First step is to order the car's BMIHT certificate to learn how and when it was born. Next and more importantly is to go to TRA's web site www.triumphregister.com to get a free copy of their restoration guide. Far better to do it right the first time. Once at TRA's web site go to the bottom of the News and Events tab and print out the 50 or so page guide. Good luck and I do envy your find.

Hi John,

I was just driving thru and would like to wish you alot of "Fun" in Restoring your TR2. She appears to be reasonably complete so; You should have her in on the road in a "Week or Two"!! LOL!!

"Lou": I will be joining the "TRA" shortly. When I bought my `61TR3A, (Aug. 2013), The PO gave me a whole bunch of TRA newsletters to read through. His name is Harlan (Scotty) Boyer from Wyomissing, PA if that rings a bell?

When I join; Will I rec. a complimentary "Hert. Cert" for her? (TS 81819L)

Its great reading by the way!!

Thanx and Regards,

Russ

PS: Is there a "TRA" windscreen sticker still available? If yes; Would I rec. one with my subscription? If no; Would you happen to have a spare one? I really would love one!!

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
54 TR2LD
 
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