Bob Lang wrote:
> What needs to be said is that when new, the doorgaps weren't too
> perfect to start with. When I see a TR6 at a car show with perfect
> gaps, my first reaction is "over-restored". I don't mean any
> disrespect, but one of the charms of Triumphs in general is the
> quirkiness. I like to think of the imperfect lines as a badge of honor.
I agree with Bob. This is one of the major problems with Roger Williams'
TR6 books, they really are not all that accurate on many subjects and there
is a lot of crying wolf without providing a sound write-up on related
factors (like production tolerances and mass manufacture assembly). This
whole business of hogged frames is crazy... there is no need to do a frame
off if you have slightly uneven door gaps. As Bob points out they were
never even to begin with.
Make sure you have a sound chassis and that all of the major structural
members of solid and rust free. Likewise with the major structural portions
of your car. The gaps are really cosmetic and not always indicative of
major problems with the car.
I would rather have uneven original door gaps, than gaps that are
nonexistent because some hair-brained enthusiast decided he would replace
the rockers and somehow mis-aligned the two halves of the body by 1/4"
(speaking of a local car). A beautiful red paint job and new chrome wire
wheels can't fix that mistake...
If Triumph spent 30-40 hours on panel fitting like some restoration shops I
know... they would have been out of business after a few months of building
the TR2! So don't worry about the gaps too much so long as the car is
relatively solid. If it really bothers you, then have a competent shop find
the problem and fix it or find a TR6 with better gaps to begin with (before
you get emotionally attached to the one you currently own).
Hogged frames... I say HOGWASH!
Kai
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Kai M. Radicke
Wishbone Classics
www.wbclassics.com
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