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TR2/3/3A TR3 Grill decisions

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CJD

CJD

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OK, time to choose a grill for the old TR3. The choice is the original, or to re-chrome the aftermarket one the car came with.

_DSC4236.jpg


The chrome runs about the same price as the repro original, so price is not a factor. So what do you guys think?
 
Personally, I love your current grill with your gold car, although a 3/4 shot of the car would help me finalize my choice,,,,,
 
I like the 'Vista' grille too.
 

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If you decide on a new original style grille, suggest you buy with an agreement to return if it doesn't fit. Quite a few aprons have been repaired with the grille opening too narrow (top to bottom), so the grille bulges in or out.

Your aftermarket slatted grille looks to have been inspired by the Triumph Beta prototype - a widened TR3A body on a TR4 frame. A practical design for hotter areas to allow more airflow into the radiator.

The decision is really down to personal choice - whether you prefer it more original, or with the novelty value of a rare aftermarket accessory.

Viv.
 
It would be a tough decision for me. I like the original but I think this is one aftermarket part that looks good as well and one which you don't see very often.

Let us know what you decide!

Scott
 
That is a nice looking TR3 - so hard to make the wrong choice.

Market will probably prefer original if resale is every a consideration.
 
Well, if you decide to go back to a stock grill, I'll be happy to buy that old rusty one off you for the original price! :laugh:
 
TR4nut said:
Well, if you decide to go back to a stock grill, I'll be happy to buy that old rusty one off you for the original price! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Just for the heck of it, I went to one of those inflation calculators to adjust for today's dollar...using 1960 as the base year, the result came to $282.92. :cheers:

Edit: It doesn't look like you'd be able to use the crank. :hammer:
 
Heck John I love the grill you have; I do not even consider it after market. Randal’s add suggested to see the dealer for one. The original wide mouth grills were a step down and cheaper and were problematic like Viv suggested. There is an old add somewhere that shows how to squeeze the grill bars closer to let more air in to help cool the engine on the original grills. Remember tr3s have problematic cooling systems. In fact, I will bet that the “aftermarket” one was designed not for looks but for utilitarian reasons. After seeing the quality work you do, the Chinese one you would get will fly back into the box and not even require postage.
 
unusuall,nice looking,period correct,and you already have it.I like the look and it would be an easy decision for me to keep,but Im building a driver.

Haave Fun
Tom
 
sp53 said:
Randal’s add suggested to see the dealer for one.
Click to expand...
But was that a Triumph dealer, or an AMCO dealer?
 
If you decide to go with a new stock looking grill I will give you $100 for the one you have. I've been looking for one. Karl
 
Getting an NOS or repop original grill is doable but when was the last time you saw one of the ones you have in place now available?

Rechrome the current one!
grin.gif
 
Well...it sounds like I'll be making a trip to the chrome shop! Thanks for helping with the decision...

Here is a quarter shot of the car when we got it last year:

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And here is the mouth as it looks today:

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Gotta get back to work...thanks again to all!

John
 
After I bashed in the front grille, bumper and valance on my 1958 TR3A in the Rallye de L'Echo in 1963, I ran the TR without a grille till 1972. Then I stored it for 15 years. During the restoration from 1987 to 1990, I realised that the bodyman had not made the mouth opening high enough in 1963 to take a new grille. So with a small hydraulic jack and pieces of wood, we re-formed the mouth to accept a new grille. It fits perfectly and looks great for the last 21 years.
 

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Your Vista grille gives your car somewhat of an Aston-Martin-ish look which is quite appealing. I just bought an original-style chromed grille and hope it'll fit, as my original-style, dull aluminum grille is ill-fitting, probably due to poor body work sometime in the car's past.
 
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