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I am with the mad dog on this one. Find one that is worth fixing even it cost more. I would add that these cars are a therapeutic hobby that you cannot put a realistic price on. It is not something that can be flipped. Moreover, I really struggle with flippers in general. Perhaps I am jealous of what a good salesperson can do when it comes to profit, but I find that my Happiest moments are when I am dirty and accomplished a mechanical task that I would never have paid someone a 100.00 and hour to do. Frankly, my belief is our culture for the most has no idea of the talent, perseverance, insight, and focus ones finds in the relationship man has with machine. They pay someone or through it away; and in it that process they become codependent. Even worse their creativity and mental wiring becomes stunted. Furthermore, if elected, I will make them all turn a wrench.
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TR2/3/3A The value of TR3's?
- Thread starter luke44
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I really love this TR3 hobby...and have enjoyed taking it apart and learning what makes it tick. After I got it running I have enjoyed sharing the hobby...and have found 3 TR side screens for friends to restore....and that dives into a whole new world! The internet has opened up a whole new world of parts sourcing! Money maker? No way! But I have found its far better than a hour on some shrinks couch! Gil NoCal
tmc
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Looks like this topic has been well covered, but I'll add in my 2 cents. I can safely say if one cannot do the metal work, body prep and painting oneself, then a restoration will easily hit $30K. That's if one does the disassembly,cleaning, sandblasting, reassembly, parts scouting, has the machine work done professionally, bought the parts for the restoration several years ago and reuses as much as possible. Prices have escalated considerably on parts since I started my restoration (8 years ago!) I was a sucker for a rolling, "complete" car. Once I got it apart and started removing paint/bondo, etc. it became obvious it didn't have a straight panel from the firewall forward. I set out to build a nice driver; I fear I've built a trailer queen. Every single nut, bolt, panel or component is either renewed, replaced, rebuilt, repainted, recoated or otherwise restored. Including the cost of the original car ($5K), I have close to $40K out of pocket in it and it's not quite finished yet. But, I didn't restore it to make a profit; it was for mental health and personal satisfaction. I'm not a trained mechanic, body man or auto trim guy.....it's been OJT all the way! I had a professional restorer do the start-up last summer and look over my work. He gave me a list of corrections to make, which I've done. It could be "on the road" this very summer! Why the long project time? It's a hobby..........when I finished with it, then what do I do?
M
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The January 2010 issue of Classic Motorsports had a little article titled "Better Buy It now: 1955-'62 Triumph TR3." It says that the prices have been rising and are likely to continue to increase. "Nice drivers can still be had for just under $20,000, and really good examples that could win a show or two only cost around $24,000 to $29,000."
angelfj1
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tmc said:
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">That ($) sounds about right, if not a bit low. I'm in the same boat, except that I did most of the dirty work to save money, and over a much longer period of time.</span>
</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">tmc said:
<span style="font-style: italic">In my case, my $ burn rate was budgeted, so with a project start date of 11/2000, that works out to perhaps $3 - $4K per year. I have friends who spend more on golf!</span></span>
How can you measure the satisfaction of bringing it from near death to near perfection! If you follow some basic preventive maintenance, you will enjoy your TR for many years!
tmc
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When it's finished, I'll drive it on pretty days, keep it maintained and take it to particular shows/tours. If someone offers me enough money for it along the way, I'll likely sell it...........and then look for another project. But, this time, I'll do a "rolling restoration". One advantage to living in Colorado is the dry air, which helps a great deal with rust prevention, of course.
Very interesting thread. I recently joined the British Car Forum. I had a 60 TR3 in the early 60's so I'm an old dude.
I've have verbal acceptance of an offer today. So now I'm pulling some funds to pay for a '59 TR3A. Also contemplating the best way to get the car from NY to OH. It's a driver so driving it is an obvious option but a little concerned about
an 8 hour freeway trip with a 63 year old vehicle. Not so much about the mechanical as the tires. They are older bias ply type. I may tow it with my Silverado 2500 HD & rented one-way
trailer.
I've have verbal acceptance of an offer today. So now I'm pulling some funds to pay for a '59 TR3A. Also contemplating the best way to get the car from NY to OH. It's a driver so driving it is an obvious option but a little concerned about
an 8 hour freeway trip with a 63 year old vehicle. Not so much about the mechanical as the tires. They are older bias ply type. I may tow it with my Silverado 2500 HD & rented one-way
trailer.
MGF....I think you may be pushing the age on the newly purchased TR3A....sounds like a 53 year old car to me.
Congratulations on the purchase any way! I also had a 3A in the college years...and stirred the fire and got one to restore back in 2000. I would strongly vote to load this ride on the trailer to bring it home. Start the experience off on a good note! Best of luck. Gil NoCal
Congratulations on the purchase any way! I also had a 3A in the college years...and stirred the fire and got one to restore back in 2000. I would strongly vote to load this ride on the trailer to bring it home. Start the experience off on a good note! Best of luck. Gil NoCal
I might try a middle path and take it to a large tire shop and put some new tires on it and the brakes peeked at and take a look at the underside myself while it is in the air and If the suspension is not too flaky and the U joints are ½ way solid and the fluids are good and the lights work and the weather is not too bad, I would drive it about 50 mph with a cell phone. Of course, I did not get where I am at today being smart. It just seems the money you would save by not towing it would pay for the tires and the oil change.
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Like all my hobbies, value is not why I got in. I am not a mechanic in any way, so I have sent my car out to make it more road worthy, and feel now that I have a great driver, but not really a show piece. But I do take to a show now and then, and often drive to my volunteer shifts at America On Wheels museum. To my wife's disappointment, I probably would not get out what I put into my TR3B, but that never was the point. I would figure it to be around $20,000 in its current condition, but I would not sell it for that while I am still able to take it out for a drive.
NutmegCT said:
You have an excellent point,
Actually, I think I got lucky. Dan Fadden who did the restoration on that beautiful black/red TR3 (link below) lives 40 minutes from the owner. I engaged him to inspect it & give me a report which he did. While I know my way around cars, Dan has detailed 1st hand knowledge of TR3's that I will probably never acquire. If I hadn't run across him I
probably wouldn't have bid on the car
https://www.bradjones.com/tr3/
sp53 said:
Yes, you are appealing to both my frugal & adventurous sides. In my mind I can see myself, with May around the corner, the tonneau cover on (or at least the side curtains out) cruising at 55 mph (no hurry - I'm retired) down the road. I could plan a route that would keep me off the freeways in case of breakdown. I plan on discussing all my alternatives with Dan (see my reply to Tom)
I appreciate the feedback I got from all you guys on the Forum.
tmc
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mgf said:
I, too, would call Inter-City Lines and get a quote. I've used them twice for cross country pickups/deliveries of precious cars......nice people to deal with. I like road trips, but with the cost of petrol, motels, etc. today....you might be surprised at the price of a transport.
Congrats on re-entering the TR3 world! Most of us are likely "old" too, so don't tell us about aches and pains from laying on the floor, trying to get at something.......and to think, it used to only hurt when a wrench slipped.....
I've used this guy several times, most recently to move my TR3 from Texas To California..Fully enclosed and direct communication with the owner/driver.
Auto Transport
Auto Transport