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Opinions Sought: Moss v. TRF v. Victoria British

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When buying chromed parts, and I find this problem with everyone I've bought from, it tends to be somewhat delicate. By that I mean its much thinner than original and wears away faster. I have a gas cap on one car that when the sun hits it you can see the copper showing through on the high spots where its handled during refueling. This isn't true of every single part and I don't blame the vendors since they source much of this stuff from suppliers looking to cut their cost, which is where we suffer. But if you buy a bunch of chrome be prepared for some amount of it to start looking dull within a much shorter time than it should.
 
I bought the brightwork for my Spitfire from VB and had no serious issues with it. The one thing I had to work with to get it on well was the chrome strips for the fender beads. I chocked that up to the clips though.
 
You can't go wrong by ordering from Moss. They are quick, professional, offer technical service, and stand behind everything they sell. End of story for me.
 
I suspect, as randall does, that they come from the same source. You will probably find 2 problems. First, the long beads may be too long. Remedy this with a dremel tool cutoff wheel after installation. Cut at about 30 degree angle, shiny side long. The front pieces have a long flange built on them that screws or rivets to the inside of the fenders. You may have to cut across this flange in a place or 2 to get it to conform to the shape of the fender top.
Bob
 
I will add that you never know what you will get from who, when I ordered an 87mm pistons and liners for my old 4A from VB I got a set of Mahle pistons and liners, from what I understand they do some pretty high end applications, Ferrari and such.
 
The first one of these suppliers to have stock on the rubber main body for my GT6 side marker lights is the Blue ribbon winner in my book.
 
I've just receive my order from VB from their winter parts sale. Badge very dark blue, almost black for the TR3. I called and they will look to see if they are all that way or give a refund. Very curtious on the phone. The rest of the order looks fine.
 
My argument for favoring TRF would be to compare the size and detail of their catalog (TR6) with the other vendors. The 2 vol. catalog is priceless (no pun intended) as a reference. TRF has made the investment to have many parts manufactured that are not available from the other 2. Yes, back orders are frustrating and their shipping charges seem excessive, but I think it is in our interest to support them.
Berry
 
I also use all three, but more so Moss because of the discount. As others have noted some TRF parts are superior to Moss (especially sheet metal like the battery box), but the quality of many items change regularly due to changes in suppliers. I do know that you can't beat VB for windshield cost. For the TR3 it's like $100 with very reasonable shipping.
 
I have bought parts for my TR3A from all three and haven't had any complaints. I tend to like Roadster Factory because their price seem to be somewhat lower. I generally buy all my parts over the web and would probably buy more parts from Roadster Factory if they had a full parts catalog for the TR3 like they have for other cars like the MGB, TR4 or TR6 instead of just the small partial mini catalog. I end up ordering from Moss or Vic. Brit because they have full web catalogs.
 
Yes its a tough choice to have 3 vendors to choose from and price shop.Last summer we were unable to repair a 1985 Cadillac for want of parts
and I mean any parts!!! As they say, air for the tires and light bulbs only. The car went for salvage with an insured value of 14k.(Baritz Convertable)
Md
 
Number_6 said:
I tend to like Roadster Factory because their price seem to be somewhat lower. I generally buy all my parts over the web and would probably buy more parts from Roadster Factory if they had a full parts catalog for the TR3 like they have for other cars like the MGB, TR4 or TR6 instead of just the small partial mini catalog.
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If you have a copy of the blue Triumph TR2 & TR3 Spare Parts Catalogue, part number 501653, then you can order from TRF using the Stanpart parts number they use. The SPC also has great exploded parts diagrams. ISTR it's available on the web, but well worth it in book form, IMO.
 
mrv8q said:
If you have a copy of the blue Triumph TR2 & TR3 Spare Parts Catalogue, part number 501653, then you can order from TRF using the Stanpart parts number they use. The SPC also has great exploded parts diagrams. ISTR it's available on the web, but well worth it in book form, IMO.
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I agree entirely, but the printed version does have some minor short comings, like no diagram for the generator mount. I just finished fixing that lack in the PDF file available at
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2H2NJt34OffMWQ4N2EzZGQtNjc0Ny00YmE2LWFiN2UtZWYzMjNjNGFiYzY4

If you find any problems with it, please let me know.

The PDF is also a lot handier for me; even though I have two copies of the original, the PDF is what I use almost always.
 
I bought the majority of my TR3b stufff from TRF,although I find thier lack of a complete catalog,no online backorder info , shipping costs,invoice totals that dont match charge to card frustrating but the phone help is great,and I wait for thier sales,and qaulity is high.
The Standard parts lists helps,but can be confusing with a post 60k car.
Moss has also been A1,and there catolag is the most complete.
My recent first VB exprience was for windshield.When I called to say that the glass to frame strip was too thick and could they measure the MGA strip that I read on this forum fit better they said they have no tec support but could have someone check but it would take 48 hours.I said fine,they called the next morning,gave me measurements,and when I said I would like the thinner MGA strip they said they would send it ,no charge or shipping,as it would not be cost effetive for ME to send it back.
So a vote for all three.
Merry Christmas
Tom
 
I will also add I like to buy from all three and would not like to see any of them go out of business, competition is a good thing.
 
I used TRF and Moss for my restoration. I looked for the specials etc. and the free shipping charges when offered on high dollar orders, usually over $600. I kept wish lists for each vendor, sometimes switching items from one to another if something went on sale. I wound up buying more from Moss, but mostly because they had the items I was looking for in stock if I needed them quickly.

Quality for the most part was comparable between the two, but if there was a difference, the nod usually went to TRF.
 
Lbp said:
My '58 TR3A is spending the winter getting the body restored and painted (BRG) at a local shop. I'm assembling parts to replace a lot of the chrome (or as they call it on Wheeler Dealers, the "brightwork") including the bead that runs along the top of the fenders. Moss Motors, The Roadster Factory, and Victoria British all carry a lot of this stuff for about the same price (though Victoria British currently has a sale going on). Any experience or thoughts about the relative merits of these three companies and differences in parts quality would be greatly appreciated.

Bill
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We should all be thankful that we have all three. I probably lean toward Moss but I'd like to see them all stick around and I patronize all of them. Another source not to overlook is Rimmer Bros. in the UK. Very comprehensive (huge) catalog and occasionally less expensive even with the extra shipping cost.
 
Why replace them with inferior metal
Have the originals redone

Came into this late,...so if this has been addressed earlier I appologize
 
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