Guess I missed the original question. Anyway, the story I've always
heard is that those bolts were for the 'valve' unit for the factory
optional radio. I've never even seen a picture of one, but supposedly
on special order, the factory would supply a tube radio, broadcast AM
with optional SW, with a remote control head. (Remote control tube
radios were also available on some US cars in the 50's.) On my LHD
TR3A, there is also a cutout in the RHS kick panel, for a single
speaker. (Horrible location, as any dirt or water that finds it's way
past the seal inside the front fender, will wind up on the back of the
speaker.)
I don't know what happened on RHD cars, since there are no matching
bolts on the LHS of a LHD car, and it doesn't look like there would be
room behind the pedals. Perhaps the optional radio was only for LHD
cars ?
BTW, AFAIK, TR3's have neither voltage stabilizers nor brake boosters.
The only non-mechanical gauge is the fuel gauge, which is the 'double
balanced' type that doesn't require a regulated voltage.
Randall
Malcolm Walker wrote:
>
> On Sat, 3 Jul 1999, wallace wrote:
>
> > My TR3a has four bolts on the (North American) passenger's side firewall,
>about a foot up from the floor in a nice square pattern. They seem to be doing
>nothing at all, and I'm curious what they're for.
> > Anyone got an idea?
> > Jim Wallace
>
> My guess is for the voltage stabiliser (or lack thereof)- if there's a
> little black doohickey nearby, (about the size of your thumb...?), with
> wires entering/leaving it, then I surmise that the original
> electromagnetic stabiliser has been replaced with a solid-state one.
>
> The TR4 has the voltage stabiliser in the RHS footwell.
>
> -Malcolm
> * There is a FAQ for this list! Its new home is:
> http://www.islandnet.com/~walker05/triumph/trfaq.htm
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