TR5/TR250 Triumph TR250 Trivia, Side Molding Question

[glemon]

The TR5 and TR250 have there own unique side molding (wider than the TR4A, I learned when I used the TR250 part number to order the securing rivets many, many, years ago, but I digress) The end of the door molding towards the back or handle end has a curve in it, I had thought, and installed, mine so that it curved up, matching the curve up at the back of the door which it sits close to. So here is what research shows me, a couple period advert pics and road tests, hard to tell for sure, but looks like it curves down. The factory parts manual and drawing hard to tell for sure, but looks like it curves up. In the TR4-TR6 originality guide there are a couple pics where it is clear, on one car it curves up, on the other it curves down. Now I am planning on leaving my car the way it is, but I have ordered a new one (right hand), because mine has a couple scratches and very minor dings, and told them twice they were sending me a left hand part (as an interesting aside I have an old left and right, by part number, molding, from the same vendor. and they are both for the same side, or identical instead of being handed). So I am telling the vendor they are wrong, and they have believed me so far, but maybe I am wrong (big gasp) any thoughts or knowledge of this? Greg

 

[Geo Hahn]

This is the part you are describing?

Alas, that is a restored car so it proves nothing.

TRs are not alone with their mysteries -- Big Healey owners debate which way the pointy thing should point and XK owners ponder the correct direction of the little red tell-tale on top of the front sidelamps.

 

[glemon]

Yes, that's it, I have mine installed opposite, the Healeys often have the fender spears installed wrong, but, right and wrong are pretty well agreed upon, don't know about the XKs, wondering about my Triumph, partly because I want to figure out what to say to the vendor, partly because I do have some curiosity about these things.

 

[glemon]

Dang, maybe I was wrong, from my own picture archives, a very original TR250 I owned for a brief time about 6 years ago, although it looked like it had been resprayed once. And then there is a pic of my current car when i got it once again the side piece sloping down. Looks like a may need to eat crow.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Well, although I said the TR5 pictured above was a restored car I didn't mention that it was done by one of the premier restorers (formerly) in the SouthWest. He has done mega-million dollar cars for Ralph Lauren. Doesn't mean he's always right but probably means he is seldom wrong.

 

[DNK]

Greg- That post I did on the first TR5 has its beading like this

 

[YYCDave]

Here's an original TR250, verifying the orientation in the pictures above.

 

[glemon]

Thanks guys, I think we have an answer, I talked to the vendor and they said if I send the two I got back they will send me one for the left side (my right side), I was originally inclined to leave them as is, but am considering swapping them out to make them right. One other thing that corroborates that I have it on the wrong side, there are more minor scratches on this original one around the door handle area (the one I have mounted on the right door) on my LHD car the driver side would probably be more likely to be scratched/dinged I would think.