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TR2/3/3A TR3 Pre-Buy Tomorrow - what to look for

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Not hard to detect at all, magnet falls right off. Get a Spot Rot before you go next time. With a bit of practice you can figure out if it's a skim coat over steel or much more of an issue.
 
GBRandy said:
I didn't know they made fiberglass fenders.....are they still available?
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I've got a set in my basement...Anyone interested??
 
GBRandy said:
... Am I to vain in wanting a red or black TR3 instead of white? :smile:......my budget has gone from $10,000 to $15,0000 to $20,000 and I am not finding what I want......I may be better served to buy a $5000 car .....hand it off for restoration.....
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Not at all. Color is a primary choice factor imo. Your budget is going almost exactly the way mine went. But I tell you from experience you will be well north of $50k if you hand off a $5000 car for a full on restoration by a specialty shop by the time you are done. And they will get you $5k at a time until you are too deep in to turn around. Seriously. So, unless you are loaded with $$ and don't care about the final cost (and have 1-2 years time to wait), or you can do a lot of work yourself, you may want to be patient and wait for the right car.

I'm not affiliated with any of these cars, but there are a few on eBay right now that may be of interest. Don't bid on any of 'em. If you are serious, get the guys number and talk on the phone. He'll be happy to end the auction early if you do a deal off eBay.

The first is a black eBay car from Florida. this seller has sold a few of them over the last 12 months - every one black, all around the same price.
For timing reasons I never met this particular seller so I can't comment further.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1958-TRIU...=item20b00b9e2a

A red CA car nearing completion also caught my eye and I exchanged a few emails with the guy who sounds ok enough, but the car is getting some good bidding action and may bring a good number...plus it's not done yet.......
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1961-TRIU...=item27b040d3f8

And finally a long door (ultra rare) TR 2 - geographically close to you too... this car was offered late last fall - I would have looked seriously at this car but by then I was well along in negotiations for my San Diego car. The TR2/3 smallmouth look grows on you, although I ultimately went 3A. I recently exchanged some email with him, and he also seems reasonable (offers anyone???). This may be the best deal out there... as long doors are really rare...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-earl...=item335b40bf7d

Happy hunting and enjoy the search..... Keep us posted....
 
IMO, for 20k, the car ought to whistle 'Dixie'.
 
luke44 said:
And finally a long door (ultra rare) TR 2 - geographically close to you too... this car was offered late last fall - I would have looked seriously at this car but by then I was well along in negotiations for my San Diego car. The TR2/3 smallmouth look grows on you, although I ultimately went 3A. I recently exchanged some email with him, and he also seems reasonable (offers anyone???). This may be the best deal out there... as long doors are really rare...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-earl...=item335b40bf7d
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Unfortunately, it was converted to a "short door"...
 
martx-5 said:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-earl...=item335b40bf7d

Unfortunately, it was converted to a "short door"...
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<span style="font-style: italic">But </span>...seller notes the parts are available and are bolt-on and he offers to convert it back...that's what caught my eye and that's how I personally would take it....a major part of the negotiation talks imo....if you look up the recent posting on the mistakes on the BJ car the ad refers to, this one is actually seems much nicer....
 
Randy,
Sorry to hear the car was such a disappointment. I think you certainly did the right thing walking away. It is so easy to be sucked in to making an offer, particularly when you have been looking as long as you have.
Good luck with your search.
 
luke44 said:
martx-5 said:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare-earl...=item335b40bf7d

Unfortunately, it was converted to a "short door"...
Click to expand...

<span style="font-style: italic">But </span>...seller notes the parts are available and are bolt-on and he offers to convert it back...that's what caught my eye and that's how I personally would take it....a major part of the negotiation talks imo....if you look up the recent posting on the mistakes on the BJ car the ad refers to, this one is actually seems much nicer....
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Yes, I read that...here's the quote..."Long door panels <span style="font-weight: bold">are available</span> if one was so inclined. Our shop can do the conversion if interested." Well, that certainly won't be part of the price. The skins for the long doors <span style="font-weight: bold">are available</span> from Moss for $220 apiece. I'm sure their shop will be more then willing to charge a few thou to do the job.

And, there is no negotiation on e-bay unless the car doesn't sell and you contact the seller after wards and work something out.

Let's see what this car finally goes for and if it meets the reserve.

Edit: You also have to figure in the cost of getting rid of those whitewalls! :laugh:
 
NickMorgan said:
Randy,
Sorry to hear the car was such a disappointment. I think you certainly did the right thing walking away. It is so easy to be sucked in to making an offer, particularly when you have been looking as long as you have.
Good luck with your search.
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I don't think it was a huge disappoint per se. Perhaps I am getting better at expecting something to not be right :smile:

Truth is a learn alot about these cars every time I see one....and even more as I post things here.

I had no idea about fiberglass fenders and now know what to look for. I caught several odd things all by lonesome where last year at this time I may not have noticed....like the instrument cluster was wood not crinkle black, the ID tags were all wrong. The screws in the sills / rockers look awful to me now that I know what to look for....etc.

Eventually I'll find the right one......but the truth is looking for one is sometimes half the fun :smile:

BTW.... I joined TRA this weekend and intend to be at their show in June. Perhaps my answer will be there :wink:
 
Randy, I agree you will find the right one. I searched for two years for mine. I had to look for something that was ready to drive and enjoy. This is my first TR and I am completely new to this. This is why I joined the group. Anyways, the car I bought was not listed. I heard from a parts guy who knew someone who knew someone who was willing to sell the car. Talk to your local club members and your local British parts dealer. These are the guys who will know about cars for sale first. My car ended up being only 40 min from my home.


Al
 
rlwhitetr3b said:
To change it back, wouldn't you have to change the siles also?
....
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Yes, pretty sure the sills would have to a part of the conversion.

martx-5 said:
... there is no negotiation on e-bay unless the car doesn't sell and you contact the seller after wards and work something out....Let's see what this car finally goes for and if it meets the reserve...
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Cars sell through private negotiation all the time that are being "auctioned" on ebay. Sellers can end an auction early for any reason, and are more often than not are looking for exposure to potential buyers that ebay brings as opposed to expecting a sale through auction results. No serious buyer will spend almost $30k without looking at the car in person. My point on the long door conversion is this: Being as they have been trying to sell this piece since last year, and they are in the upper end of the TR3 market where buyers are more scarce, they may happliy negotiate with a serious buyer (off ebay) to refit the body work to a serious buyers liking... My sense in exchanging a few emails with them is the may also have the capability to actually do the work too but one would have to assess that in person.

FWIW - last August this car was a no sell at $17k. Kind of disapointing imo. But, like you say, let's see where it goes. I hope some one snaps it up at the Buy it Now price. And looking at the BJ TR2 it seems it would be worth it.
 
martx-5 said:
I've got a set in my basement...Anyone interested??
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Depends on what you want for them ... they'd go good with the glass front apron I've still got stashed in the rafters.
 
Looks like there might be an overdrive switch on that dash. That's worth a phone call, at least.
 
I just found one last year, a good restorable candidate for 500.00. I had to drag it out of a gargae on floor jacks, and then unseize the brakes, but I found one. It can happen. I hope to have it on the road this fall if all goes well. OK, maybe spring, haha. 20K will get you something really nice. I was planning on selling mine for 14K so good luck shopping and keep us posted.
 
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