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TR2/3/3A Opinions wanted- TR3 with no front bumper options

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newmexTR3

newmexTR3

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I've always liked the look of the 3's without a front bumper. Many years ago I actually fashioned a nice air dam out of some sheet metal and had that on instead of the bumper. The experiment didn't last very long because I made it too low and the thing quickly got chewed up.

I'd like to revisit the look though. I was thinking it would be cool to just go with no bumper and instead use two overriders, like on an AC. Maybe even have just two overriders with driving lights attached- that would look nice.

As far as sourcing some appropriate overriders, it doesn't seem like you could use the front ones because they have the cut out for the bumper on the sides, so they would probably look funny.
The back ones from the 3 are an obvious candidate, but they lack the taper of the fronts, so they might end up looking bulky. What do you guys think would work?

Here are some reference pics of what i'm going for:

2628_O.jpg


(above pic is from this article: Cool TR3

AC Ace:
0535083001258981640.jpg


aaroncouper-a.jpg
 
Well, you know how I feel about this. I just think that the front bumper on the TR3 makes it look frumpy. A couple of nerf bars like the AC might look nice though. You don't want to overwhelm the front. On second thought, that TR3 pic looks real good. Here's mine...

Edit: I've got a couple of 1/2" stainless steel button head socket cap screws holding the apron onto the frame extensions. I'll take a look to see if I have some extras.
 

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I have been toying with the same ideas as my vintage racer didn't come with a bumper

TriumphRacing.jpg


I like the look of the Sprite style and was thinking of fashioning something similar. I have the Lucas lamps as well that I would like to install. I do have a pic of a TR3A home made bumper that I would like to copy...will see if I can find it at home tonight and post it.

Cheers,
David
 
Not a TR3, but Cobra bumpers on a TR6 that I used to own.
olbasilinsnow2.jpg
 
I like the towel rack on the Sprite best. As for the rear, the TR3 bumperettes look fine as is.
 
I've been thinking of it myself, but for me I realized it mattered somewhat what color the car was and if it was altered subtly in other ways. I'm still planning on going with Silverstone gray on my car which is pretty light - I saw a TR3A in that color but without the bumper I didn't think it looked very aggressive, it just looked like it was missing a bumper. On a dark colored car I think the look works very well. Also cars with sway bars, mods to the apron for oil cooler, etc.
 
newmex TR3 I am with you, I don't like the front bumper either.
Here's what I did. I do plan on faburcating a SS bar that I can mount some fog or running lights on
car6.jpg
 
PeterK said:
As for the rear, the TR3 bumperettes look fine as is.
Click to expand...

What I meant was that the rear bumperettes might work on the front. Just not sure if their shape would work though- there's no taper to them.
 
poolboy said:
Not a TR3, but Cobra bumpers on a TR6 that I used to own.
Click to expand...

I like that a lot. I wonder how they would look on a 3. I also wonder if they're super expensive since they're for Cobras.
 
Back in the late 50s and early 60s, I remember seeing a few TR3s and TR3As with rear bumperettes mounted on the front like the AC Ace shown above.

Here is the accurate restoration as original of the Gatsonites S-T Works Rally Car from 1954 - restored a few years ago and which was for sale for ÂŁ38,000
 

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Thought those were horns for a sec mounted next to the driving lamps. What are those things?

Cool lookin' 3. Insane price!
 
Here's another example with overriders. Not sure what they are from, though.
 

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Bremer said:
Here's another example with overriders. Not sure what they are from, though.
Click to expand...

Those look like they could be the normal TR3 overriders mounted upside-down. That's a cool looking car!
 
newmexTR3 said:
PeterK said:
As for the rear, the TR3 bumperettes look fine as is.
Click to expand...

What I meant was that the rear bumperettes might work on the front. Just not sure if their shape would work though- there's no taper to them.
Click to expand...

Some people take off the rears too. What I meant is that I like the rears but agree the the front looks too cluttered. Some add lots of lights and grille badges and it looks OK on their cars but on mine, I prefer a less cluttered look.

Same on the 4A. No bumper, just nerfs or an airdam looks quite sportin' 2me.
 
Newmex,

Here is a pic of the type of bumper that I want to copy.

lylis6.jpg


Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd
 
I removed my TR3A front bumper and replaced it with 2 rear over-riders with custom formed brackets made from flat bar stock 1" wide I believe. I mounted these on the bottom to the original frame to bumper brackets. At the top I fashioned a badge bar from 3/4" stainless steel stock purchased on ebay with the ends flattened and drilled. I mounted 2 Lucas 576 lamps with Moss or Triple C mounting brackets along with some badges. Looks much better that the stock bumper and you do get some protection. If anyone wants pictures I can email.
 
Hi putinbaytr3
You did what I was thinking about with the rear's on the front. I would really like to see some picts of your's
Thanks
Greg
 
Hmmm. This thread has got me really thinking now. Does anybody have some good photoshop skills? What would no front bumper with rear spats (Go Tinman!), and aero screens look like? Me thinks it would be really really cool...driving of course with a leather cap and goggles. Oh yeah.... :yesnod:
 
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