• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A TR3B Engine Authenticity

Share this page

Geo Hahn said:
Geez Andy, could you post a warning before you show pictures like that? Something like 'May be too intense for some TR owners'.

I'm still shaking.
Click to expand...
I understand, really I do. The car never was for the faint of heart! There are other pictures of the car at that same site...if you want more punishment.

Sad, really. I bought the car like that about 26 years ago. It had been crashed into a tree or pole, after which it apparently rolled...then abandoned somewhere. But as ugly as it looked, it was still intact enough to be a candidate for restoration. There wasn't a straight panel on the body, but the only really bad area on the tub was the LH "A" post. And rust on the body -- despite years of abandonment outdoors -- was no worse than any other sidescreen TR project (floors, sills and some small patches elsewhere).

Similarly, the chassis was fine except for moderate damage to the LF suspension area. Thing is, it was a completely numbers-matching car, which is critical (to me, anyway) for a TR3B to have the most potential value. Plus, it was originally black with red interior, which was always one of my most favorite combinations.

Alas, life got in the way, and I never got anywhere with any restoration. So, when I was made "an offer I could not refuse," it went to a good friend of mine.

OK, more than probably most of you wanted to know.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Andy said:
OK, more than probably most of you wanted to know.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Click to expand...

Actually, not. More a relief knowing there are some of us in a similar 'boat'. Thanks fer sharin' it, Andy. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
[/quote] a completely numbers-matching car, which is critical (to me, anyway) for a TR3B to have the most potential value.

Plus, it was originally black with red interior, which was always one of my most favorite combinations. [/quote]

I wish I had known about the numbers at the time, but I was not buying as an investment, and when I started the negotiations regarding the purchase thought this was a late TR3A. Only when the car arrived on the East Coast was it discovered to be a 3B. The Heritage Trust Certificate is what made me realize that the engine had been changed. I also discovered that what had been a black car with red interior was now a white car with black interior. So I can change the color if I want when repainting in a few years without concern that I have compromised the car. Also, the adjustable steering column had been swapped out for a non adjustable one, and the windscreen washer mechanism was now gone (except for the chrome opening near the glove box).

I wanted a car I would feel okay driving and not be worried that I was risking a rare piece of machinery, so the engine swap is not a big thing to me (most people who see the car would not know anyway) but I would just be happier to have the car that had most of the correct parts, if not the original ones... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Thanks for all the info I have received so far, and please add anything you can if something comes up.
 
The engine in my TR3B is also from a TR4. Since it is the same engine though painted red it does not much matter to me. I agree that a good running engine is the most important issue. Matching would be nice but matching # that does not run well is not my first choice. Also, I had the car painted BRG (prior owner/restorer had the body tub painted BRG) and I installed a tan interior, which almost assuredly was not available in a TR3B, because I like it. I thought about a black interior but I really like the look of the tan. Anyway I was going with leather and that was not put in TR3B's either. The top and curtains are also tan and that was not available either.
Gary
 
Leather facings were an option on 3As; some of mine have had it and others haven't. Wasn't all leather, just some places (eg front of seat back was leather, but back was vinyl).

According to Bill Piggott, 3Bs were supposed to all have leather facings, but factory build records show that some where built with vinyl.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Andrew Mace said:
...a picture of the car as it resided in my barn...
Click to expand...

Geez Andy, could you post a warning before you show pictures like that? Something like 'May be too intense for some TR owners'.

I'm still shaking.
Click to expand...
Wimp...hehehe
IMG_1944.jpg
 
Dave, see the photo I posted in message #313542 above (earlier in this same thread). Yes, I realize that there are bits missing, most notably the carburetors. But I think that the stamped engine serial number and the valve cover shown there are about the only major visual differences from a TR3A. I'm not sure, but I suspect a very early TR4 engine would also look about the same?
 
George
Mea Culpa!!! After reading your post I checked Piggot. Not only was leather available but they intended to put it all of the TR3B's, though according to him some received vinyl. What was I thinking? And thanks for correcting it. I do not mean to be a source of misinformation.
 
Back
Top