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Restoration

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R

RACNGRN

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I've been giving some thought to having my TR6 professionally restored- full frame off resto. The car is exceptional, but is a completely original 1971 model that was dry stored for 20 years. Car has just over 60k miles. Aside from hydraulics, tires , muffler, routine tune up supplies and a starter, she is completely original in every way. Because my starting point is so solid and nice, I think that the resto should be much easier. But then again.... . Are there any recommendations for a qualified shop to do a British resto (and really know what the are doing? )? I live in Maine, so proximity to New England would be nice , but not essential. Many thanks Steve
 
Steve
Some may disagree but an original solid clean car has more value than a restored one. Unless it requires some major work, I would leave it original for as long as possible.
Brian
 
I'm starting to find I agree a lot with several of the posters on this board!
Agree with Brian, it's only original once!
If you repaint it you can't go back if you think you've made a mistake, but if you don't repaint now you always can at some time in the future.
Your car, your choice, though.
Simon.
 
I agree that original is good, bit if you're set on a restoration, check your private messages.
 
WHy did you re-register again with the same user name? Something wrong with your account?
 
I too would favor original if it is in anything near presentable condition. The paint on my '4 will never win a trophy, the '3 looks vastly finer... but the 4 is the original and as Simon says "it's only original once".

Oh, if you do respray think carefully before stripping that original paint. Some like the thought of getting it down to bare metal but (IMO) no primer is going to do as well as sound original paint.
 
Steve, I, for one, will disagree with some of the above posts. I found and bought such a car (mine is a 73) and made the mistake of not doing a body-off-frame resto. What I thought was a perfect example of a really clean 30-year-old LBC was indeed a prime candidate for a complete teardown. Unless I am misreading your leadin, you might want a new TR6. Understand this, a professional restoration shop will charge an arm and a leg to restore your find to showroom condition, and it won't be worth it - for resale. But if you don't mind the $$$, then it is certainly worth it to you. There are two untitled '76 TR6's stored in climate controlled buildings in New Orleans that are PERFECT, except they need restoring. These cars rust, the rubber rots, gremlins eat the wires, engines don't like to sit up, etc. Too, if you do a total restore on a TR6, professionally, then you will have a paint job better than factory. The point is, if you have truly found a beaut, and can afford it, do it right, store it well and enjoy it when you can. If it were a Big Healey, it would be worth 35-50K to professionally restore - they are worth 65K. Big Triumph, 25K max. It's your money. But then again, it ain't about money. My 30+K I have in my '73 is worth it to me.

Bill
 
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