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TR2/3/3A TR3 for Sale

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Webb Sledge

Webb Sledge

Jedi Warrior
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Found this on Collector Car Trader Online. You can see the pictures below, along with what I see that needs replacing from the pictures. I send Gullwing Motorcars an email, and one of the guys there called me to talk about the car. He said a mechanic had gone over the car and it runs strong, and he didn't mention anything wrong with. When he called I was in a rush, so I didn't ask him much. He said there was no bondo anywhere on the car either. They are asking $8,950 for it. Please comment on what you think about this car. I'd like a TR3, but I'm on a bit of a budget. The most I can see spending is about $10k, which may or may not buy a good TR3. Here are the pictures.

This is the desciption given by the seller: "1960 TRIUMPH TR3, 1960 TRIUMPH TR3 RED WITH BLACK INTERIOR, VERY PRESENTABLE DRIVER, HAS NEW SIDE CURTAINS AND BRAND NEW SOFT TOP, RUNS AND DRIVES VERY GOOD, ALWAYS GARAGED, COULD USE MINOR COSMETICS, FOR ONLY $ 8950."

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[ QUOTE ]
Please comment on what you think about this car...

[/ QUOTE ]

Some thoughts... note, since it is most constructive to point out what is not original, not correct, needs attention, etc. these comments will be mostly negative. This is not meant to say that this is not a good example or has not been presented fairly, I could make up a similar list about my own car.

First thing I noticed is that the commission plate is missing. One would want to know the story there and confirm that whatever commission number/plate is presented appears to go with this car.

Paint overspray on the turn signal flasher, voltage regulator, lift-the-dot pegs on door, ground strap, etc looks to me like a quicky paint job.

Says no bondo but if the car has been in the northeast it is very likely to have had some rust at the bottom of the dog legs and the lower couple of inches of the front fenders. Not a problem if properly repaired but areas that sometimes get a load of bondo that looks good... for awhile.

A look under the carpets would be revealing as this area is vulnerable to rust and might be overlooked in a cosmetic redo. I think I see rust on the passenger side sill but that could be old glue.

I expect you noticed the dent in the right front fender.

Little things that don't amount to much and fairly easy to fix... door handles that flip up (due to worn mechanism), gas cap ear points wrong way, side curtain plates have been painted black, seat covers look close but not quite original pattern, hood prop may be missing.

Hope these observations help... but the key things are stuff that can only be judged in person: the condition of the paint & body work, the engine and the drive train.
 
Webb,
That's a lot for that car. Heck, I paid not much more (under $10K) for a frame-off restored car with less than 1000 miles on the engine rebuild. I still had things to sort, but the interior on mine is extremely nice, and the exterior just needed a cut and buff.

My guess is there is some rust lurking under the floor pans!

If I were to make an offer on this car (assuming no rust in the pans or on the frame,) I would start around the $5750 range. It needs a paint job, new carpet and probably a bunch of other things. For $8500 you should be able to get an extremely good driver in which you can show up at a show and shine and feel good about the car's presentation.

Don't be swayed by asking prices in Hemmings and such. They are just asking prices. Sales prices for extremely nice local show quality TR3s still hover near, but under $12K. On Ebay, they're a little more, but nobody in their right mind buys a car on ebay, unless they live in the middle of nowhere. (No local access to cars.)
 
The car bears closer inspection before you get serious and actually talk price. Pictures can be deceptive. Show me the undercarriage!!!! Take a magnet I doubt there is even 1 bondo free tr left on the planet.
MD(mad dog)
 
Webb,

I would go over that car with a fine tooth comb if I were you. For that kind of money you should get an almost perfect car that only needs very minor work. I saw a 59 TR3 here in Lawton for sell about three months ago that was all original, no rust excelent mechanical condition, needed a little TLC faded paint small tear in driver seat, but great daily driver sell for $5500. I can garuntee that the car you are looking at has rust issues from the pictures of the trunk, and engine capartment. You can see the blisters around the hinge bolts in the trunk and on the left side fender in the engine capartment. Be careful before you consider buying.
 
Thanks for being honest everyone, I appreciate that.

I don't see how you all find these really good TR3s for sale for under $10k! I haven't seen a single one for sale in the paper or anything, and any TR3 on CollectorCarTrader.com that is half decent is asking at least $13k.

Do you know of another good place to look for Triumphs for sale where I might could find a better deal than on CCTOL?
 
Webb,
You just answered the question..."asking $13K." Generally, an ask of 13K results in a sale closer to $8,500, no matter what the car.
 
Hmm, I didn't think you'd be able to talk them down that much. Of course being 15 and never having bought or owned a car I'm very knowledgable about these things /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

How much does it cost to have a car shipped?
So can you almost always talk them down $5k? That seems like a lot.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Webb,
You just answered the question..."asking $13K." Generally, an ask of 13K results in a sale closer to $8,500, no matter what the car.

[/ QUOTE ]

But still, do you know of any other place to look for a Triumph for sale besides CCTOL.com and the British Motoring the Moss sends out?
 
Webb,

I don't really like to actually shop for a car online or in a car trader magazine. I have found that you can usually find the best deals just by driving around and seeing what folks have in thier drives with for sale signs on them, word of mouth, or the occasional newspaper ads. Anything you do find online or in a magazine will likely have a very high asking price. I don't know about everyone else here but when I am selling a car I always ask for about 150% of what I really want out of a car just so I can haggle.
 
A local club may be your best source. The members' cars are well known and may change hands by word of mouth. Much better chance of getting a fair shake I think.
 
A club sounds like a good idea. I expect the guy I work for in that shop would probably know of a few people with cars for sale too. Unfortunately there aren't many Triumphs around me that I've seen, and the couple that are aren't for sale.
 
Aloha Dubya,

Car clubs are an excellent resource, the people are committed to these cars and generally not out to sell you a bill of goods. Local clubs are good, but national one can also be helpful. The advantage of a local club is the face to face contact with other enthusiasts. Members of clubs often know the cars in the area, especially those in the club. In my case here in Hawaii, we had the same car in the club for years, with several owners. Club members can give you advice on the prices of cars in the area, assist you in checking out the car and advise on what may be problem areas. Club members often know of cars out in somebody's barn or garage they may be available. Good luck in your search. Remember to use cool deliberation in buying a car, don't rush into a bad deal in the heat of passion.

Safety Fast,
Dave
 
"Remember to use cool deliberation in buying a car, don't rush into a bad deal in the heat of passion." Dave's advice is also good to remeber when dealing with women.
 
Somebody bought the TR3 on eBay for the "buy it now" price of $7000.00.
I think P.T. Barnum was right.
There was one for sale here a couple of years ago for $4500.00. It seems the seller was a house painter and had taken the TR3 as partial payment for a job he had done. I looked at it and figured it was a good $800.00 TR3. I think the guy finally got a grand for it. I don't imagine he will make that mistake again!
Jeff
 
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