Performing a stress free resto

[gjh2007]

Well, spent over an hour tonight trying to fix my clear hooters wiper switch when I hit it cleaning the dash & it exploded onto the floor. The washer switch had been glued by the po & didn't function. So after an hour of fiddling with the **** thing I glued the wiper switch too. Ok, so here in lies the fun of restoring/repairing an old TR that you're not trying to turn into a show car.

I ended up finding a three way marine toggle switch I was going to put on my boat. I drilled a hole through the bracket for the foot well vent & afixed the switch. Now, since I had a three way I could flip the switch one way for wipers & the other for washers & wipers. Is it worth the $50 for an after market switch? I don't think so, better off spending that doe on a spin on filter adapter, or saving for a new top.

You see, I believe in driving these vehicles, keeping them somewhat close to original, but doing modifications for practicality, safety & performance.

Oh, did I mention when my tailights went out I had a pair of trailer lights I attached to the rear deck & hot wired!! Only kidding!!

Your thoughts?

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by gjh:
Ok, so here in lies the fun of restoring/repairing an old TR that you're not trying to turn into a show car.
Your thoughts?<hr></blockquote>
I think that what you are describing is better called performing needed repairs to keep it running. A long way from my definition of restoration which means putting everything back to as new condition. The term restoration seems to be used rather loosely now days. I guess that restore could mean putting it back to well used original condition. Would be interested to know other peoples definition of restoring.
D

 

[t-rocks69]

restoring a tr stress free?????????must be on medication nothing stress free about it if it is done right..i understand having to adapt various parts to get you home from being stranded are a part you can not rebuild are buy used or buy nos..anyway restoration depends on the condition you want to get the car in..in my case a daily driver with a little more performance then stock..
t-rocks69

 

[gjh2007]

OK; so I did use the term resto a little too loosely, I guess it really is more correctly termed keeping them on the road.

When I stumbled across my 250 I was looking to spend a bit more, but found that even the "bit more" price got barely running rust buckets. Turns out I found a runner that had a previous amateur resto, so it looks presentable from 30' (see my photos posted on my web site).

The thing is, I picked this car up quite cheap, have put almost 400 miles on it since Nov, and have only done fluid changes to date. I will probably be needing a tranny in the near future. Does it have some rust? Yes, the paint is bubbling through at the corners of hood, doors & trunk, (already sourced replacements) Does that prevent me from tooling down a country road hearing that great 6 cyl sound?, no. The car will need some fairly serious attention in the next few years, but At least I can drive it, enjoy it & sort out the important issues that need to be addressed before I tear into it.

So please, you guys with the perfectly restored cars,(no dig at anyone particular)don't look down your noses at us guys just trying to have a little fun on a short budget, afterall, wouldn't you rather have them out there running that sitting behind a barn rotting away?

 

[Dave Russell]

Perfectly restored old cars become used old cars again if they are driven. In my opinion, restored cars SHOULD be driven. This leaves us with a continuous rolling restoration which is never perfect again. Probably most of us would like to keep the restoration at around the 5 year old level or less for reliability. The old cars take more maintenance & repairs to keep them reliable than todays cars do. I think that any old car kept at the 5 year wear & tear level is more than acceptable. I also feel that some modifications from original for the sake of safety & reliability are in order. Maximum driving enjoyment is the goal. No trailer queens here.
D

[ 05-09-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>

 

[urchin]

Hi Gary,

We're both Land Rover owners, cars which are routinely used daily, not put up for seasons at a time, so we have different perspectives on "restorations."

When my '66 Land Rover Series II-A choke cable broke, I discovered that the Land Rover replacement did not have the delicately designed choke knob, but the horrid Leyland "propeller logo" instead. I needed to have the choke work for the winter, so I simply replaced it with the newer, uglier design. Is is a purist's restoration? No, but it kept the car running and it did not alter one whit the operation of the car. You still needed to pull out and adjust a choke cable to run the car properly. It's a spiritual, not an aesthetic retoration.

With you TR-250, you've kept the spirit of the opertation - indeed, you've moved closer to the original concept of toggle switches, not plastic "safety" items. And you've kept the spirit because only you, a true believer, could figure out how to operate it!

I remember loaning a college roomate at the University of Vermont my '63 Triumph Spitfire so he could take his then-girlfriend back to her dorm room at curfew time. I knew he wanted to have privacy, and the Spit would be perfect for "close relationships." 15 minutes later, he returned, very frustrated, because he didn't know about the handle off the steering column that operated the lights!

You haven't changed the character of the car - that's the true restoration. But don't waste your money on a spin on adapter. The O-ring and the cannister oil filer represent the price of character. The top's another matter - wives and girlfriends are funny that way.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

"Restoring" an LBC is in the eyes of the beholder. I get more kicks at a car show talking to the guy (or gal) that "restored" his car to almost original specs, often improving the design for efficiency or safety reasons, and seeing them use these cars as drivers. There are those that cut a very large check to bring their trailer queens to the shows and bask in the glory of the good ole days. I certainly have no problem with these people and always enjoy seeing the perfect big Healey or new XKE. I personally have done 90% of the work on my TR6, know every screw and washer in it, and drive the heck out of it as a great stress breaker. Thank goodness for the trailer queens as they keep the beauties rolling, albeit just off the trailer sometimes. I think the vast majority of those of us in this forum have restored their own cars, some better than others. Ain't it nice that it takes all kinds to make a successful passion flourish?

Bill

 

[gjh2007]

I guess the saying that's why they make Vanilla & chocolate ice cream can be applied to anything. I do admire a perfectly restored vehicle, but I know I'll get a backup from Jeff on this one. We both drive Land Rovers, I no longer my '73 Series Truck, now an '88 Rangie. Anyhow I remember going to a few shows where someone had a "better than new" resto of a 1960's Land Rover. Somehow it just didn't look right; being assembled over hundreds of hours, lining up every bolt head, it was actually built to a more exact standard than the Brits used to do off the assembly line; although most of the old Brit cars were semi hand built that's what makes them appealing. Not to s**t on the marque, but a perfect Triumph sometimes just doesn't look quit right next to a perfect Rolls.

I know I'll get some heckling on this one!

 

[Rob DeScherer]

I have always found that one of the most attractive qualities of our LBC's is the simplicity of design and engineering. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that these cars were always built with the enthusiast in mind, and that they have always been begging us to make improvements. Whether it is the quest for more speed, power, reliability, etc., they have always cried out 'if you do it, you will make me a better car'.

Because of this, restoration is truly in the eye of the beholder (of the car). We all want different things from our cars. It is apparent at this forum that most of us really want to drive our cars rather than just look at them with affection. I have been restoring my car to be a good, solid driver, and have made some changes along the way that will hopefully make it run better than it did originally. I can only hoe that my restoration and maintenance efforts will be rewarded with a car that I can enjoy for many years to come.