She's Alive

[angelfj1]

Well almost!

Check out some recent videos here. This is the test rig we developed to 'check-out" the engine and drive train before committing to adding the body, etc. Actually we're building the car much like it was assembled in September 1959, with the body being mostly trimmed out and then joining it with the completed chassis.

Stromberg carbs and other non-original item are for testing only.

Static Test No. 1

Dynamic Test No.1

Shortly after these tests we started to have serious radiator leaks. It had been rebuilt last summer and supposidly tested to 25 psi. You can be sure we had a word or two with the radiator man. This is why we're not at TRA today. But, I'm sure glad the leaks didn't happen after the body was in place.

 

[tomgt6]

Very nice. I wish my cars looked as new as that under the covers and even once the skin is put back on.

 

[TR4nut]

Alright Frank!

I have to admit, that is the slickest looking test setup I have ever seen. Hurry up and get the body back on that car, I want to borrow the test kit!

Randy

 

[pjsmetana]

Very nice indeed!

 

[tdskip]

Whoa - that is cool! Thanks for the update.

 

[PeterK]

Love the fuel tank!

Wait a minute - Strombergs on a 3?

 

[kodanja]

kinda cuts down on drag huh...

 

[TonyPanchot]

Very professional
congrats

 

[hermanmaire]

congrats... it looks very nice. Did you powder coat the chassis ? I epoxy primed mine and I am seeing rust already, I wish I Powder coated mine.

 

[Brosky]

Congratulations Frank! The red fuel tank was a rare option for that year.

I like the chrome valve cover and all of the great paint work that will be under the hood. You may have officially crossed the line into "Bling" land. Very dangerous territory......

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Yeah!
Are you building a TR3 or a go-cart? -not that there's much difference really.
Looks great, keep the movies coming.

 

[Silverghost]

serious radiator leaks. It had been rebuilt last summer and supposidly tested to 25 psi. You can be sure we had a word or two with the radiator man.

Was this the person that left the front face of the upper tank badly dented?? As I was admiring the perfection and detail of the completed work, the <presumably?> dented rad tank stood out like a sore thumb.

 

[angelfj1]

Love the fuel tank!

Wait a minute - Strombergs on a 3?

You have a good eye. Those are indeed strombergs, but are being used only during testing. The theory was to have the drive train totally sorted first , then put the body in place which is easier with the carbs off - so the strombergs will be off and the proper SU's on.

Hopefully I'll have a new report next week.

 

[angelfj1]

congrats... it looks very nice. Did you powder coat the chassis ? I epoxy primed mine and I am seeing rust already, I wish I Powder coated mine.

Yes, the chassis and major suspension components were powder-coated - would you believe over five years ago. However, everything has been stored inside in a heated, dry shop. Everything else was painted with the same DuPont polyurethane system.

 

[angelfj1]

Yeah!
Are you building a TR3 or a go-cart? -not that there's much difference really.
Looks great, keep the movies coming.

Now that would be a Texas-sized go-cart, wouldn't it?

 

[angelfj1]

Congratulations Frank! The red fuel tank was a rare option for that year.

I like the chrome valve cover and all of the great paint work that will be under the hood. You may have officially crossed the line into "Bling" land. Very dangerous territory......

Thanks Paul. Actually, these cars had quite a bit of engine compartment detail, albeit rather primitive compared to a TR250 or TR6.

 

[Brosky]

These cars always look great at the shows. Great detail to be had under the hood. What's that old expression, "less is more"?

The only thing that I noticed that I thought you were changing was the steering gearbox. I thought that you were converting to rack and pinion, but maybe I got mixed up with another restoration.

In any event, beautiful work and great attention to detail.

 

[Moseso]

serious radiator leaks. It had been rebuilt last summer and supposidly tested to 25 psi. You can be sure we had a word or two with the radiator man.

Was this the person that left the front face of the upper tank badly dented?? As I was admiring the perfection and detail of the completed work, the <presumably?> dented rad tank stood out like a sore thumb.

I don't think it's dented. Those top tanks were never very smooth -- and NONE of them were ever that shiny! That's a very pretty job, Frank.

 

[angelfj1]

serious radiator leaks. It had been rebuilt last summer and supposidly tested to 25 psi. You can be sure we had a word or two with the radiator man.

Was this the person that left the front face of the upper tank badly dented?? As I was admiring the perfection and detail of the completed work, the <presumably?> dented rad tank stood out like a sore thumb.

Dented??? Gee, don't scare me like that. :eeek: Actually, this has been a real bugger to photograph inside. The DuPont polyurethane is so 'wet' looking that the light from my flash causes artifacts in the photos. Here are a few that I shot outside and over-exposed on purpose.

 

[mallard]

HOLY COW FANTASTIC WORK. You just made me up the bar on my restoration ten fold. Insperation like that is just what I needed right now. Thanks. Please do a walk around on the body. Love the TR3 on the block.