Paul Dorsey wrote:
> You say these TR 3's originally were intended to last only seven years?
> Was
> that number intended or did it just turn out that way?
Paul, I don't think it was an obvious intention to design a car to last a
specific number of years - and then to scrap it. There were a number of
differing criteria, among which were:
1. The cars were made to meet a market related price that maximised profit
for Standard-Triumph in all the markets where the vehicles were offered.
2. The engineering options open to the company were also cost related. The
company could have made a *better engineered* car to ensure it might have
lasted longer - assuming it was properly serviced, but manufacturing cost
for higher quality components cut across the profit margin. Therefore there
had to be a compromise.
3. Many UK manufacturers took the view that in their primary markets (and
for Standard-Triumph's total output of all models, this was the UK) the
ever-increasing ramifications of repairs resulting from rust and salt
corrosion, made the cost options for the owner less and less attractive as
the car both aged and deteriorated. Equally, this was reflected in what is
known as "residual cost" for dealers when a car was taken in part-exchange
for a new or more recent used car. Also, the majority of customers wanted to
change their car after three or four years use for reasons based mainly on
emotion - and I think that view still prevails today.
4. Depreciation was fairly heavy in those days and it was obviously in
Standard-Triumph's interests to ensure the car "wouldn't last for ever," as
to do this meant the company would go bust.
5. Perhaps the most significant aspect is this. At the time these cars were
being made, they were offered to meet a demand for the time. I greatly doubt
anyone ever saw those models as likely to have an enthusiastic following
several decades later. To us at the time, it was "just the current
production range" and if you were interested in old cars, they were usually
the ones your Dad remembered from his youth. I guess much the same applies
today?
Cheers, Jonmac
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