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TR2/3/3A TR3 rear apron panel

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griff

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Has anyone used the replacement rear apron panel offered by any of the big 3? If so what was it like
1)getting the old one off? 2)fitting the new one?
On mine, both sides within the curve between spare tire cover and tail=light are badly rusted(The top half is great).
I have had no replies to looking for a used one and my sheet metal skills are short of what is needed to successfully make the two-way bend needed.
OF course if anyone out there can make those for me I would gladly pay.

Sorry for rambling!
Griff

"They don't make em like they used to, They never did"
 
When I restored my black 1958TR3A from 1987 to 1990, I bought a full rear valance from Cox & Buckles in England. When it arrived, it was for a later TR3A as noted by the flange with the round corners for the seal in the trunk. Mine is an early TR3A where the flange for the rubber seal in the boot (trunk) has square corners. But the top part of my car was perfect. The bottom was like lace. So I cut it about half way down the door for the spare wheel and MIG welded it into place. Look closely at mine on the stands.

When I did the 2nd TR3A, the rear valance wasn't quite so bad and I asked a sheetmetal shop where they make body panels to fabricate 5 pieces for me and I MIG welded them into place and this worked out fine too. (See attachment close-up for this TR3A done from 1999 to 2006)

Whichever way you do this, you must make sure that the opening for your door for the spare wheel well is perfect. We made final small adjustments after tack welding it using a very short hydraulic jack in the opening to open the space a bit in the vertical direction.
 

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I installed one from VB last winter and it went on and fit very well. Have to weld it in and then contour to match the other parts. Hard part is knowing where to locate the cross member. Measure before cutting the old one out. Take lots of pictures.
Need more advice email or PM me.
 
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