I finished a 5 year job of restoration on my TR3 last fall. Since then, I've
had no end of fun with it, in spite of the fact that it now needs some
engine work, which limits how much I can drive it.
A few points:
Restoration vs: purchase - I get half my kicks from the before and after
pics of my car, and enjoy telling people that I did everything on the car
myself. To me, this more than makes up for the time spent. Also, since I've
taken what amounts to scrap metal and made it whole, if anything does happen
to the car, I know I can fix it again. This is one reason the engine
condition doesn't bother me much; come fall (once Iget my other project out
of the garage), I'l strip and rebuild it.
Why someone sells - many people find a TR3 (or up to TR6 for that matter) a
bit of a rough ride compared to an MGB or more "civilized" ride. Or it's not
fast enough. Or too loud. Or handles badly. Or costs too much to keep up.
Or.... (fill in the blank). A TR3 is not a modern car in any sense of the
word, and many people are not prepared for it or get tired of it.
Concours? - I added seat belts. GOt them at J.C. Whitney, because neither
TRF or Moss carry them for the TR3 right now. They're waiting for repro's of
the originals to become available. I painted the frame and rear drums black,
and left the front calipers natural. I painted the car Brooklands Green
(1970's MG color) and trimmed it out in tan interior, seats, hood and
tonneu, desipte the fact that this is not an original color for 1957. You do
what you like, so that it holds your interest. You can always redo it later.
bob simmons wrote:
> I certainly don't plan on selling the vehicle, or plan on making any
> kind of investment, or money down the road. My plans are to keep it in
> very good condition after the resto. The thing that gets me is that I
> could go out and buy this vehicle, and be driving it now, and keep it in
> very good condition, for the cost of fixing up my current tr3. I know I
> like the style, and uniqueness of the vehicle. But driving it is still
> a minimum of two to three years away, (if I am lucky).
>
> I guess there is no point in my whining except that $7500 OBO concerns
> me in the fact that this is another guy like me. Why is he selling?
> Lost interest? Did that - been there?
>
> I may as well ask an important question at this point- I am not really
> goint for concours. I would add seatbelts, and other safety gear. Hide
> it away as much as possible, and keep it as close to original as can.
> In regards to painting the frame and components of it- what colors are
> OK? Black? I am going with the pearl white with red interior. Would
> red be OK for the rear brake drums, and front suspension components that
> are visible? Or would this be tacky, silly, etc. I know, do what I
> like, etc. More opinions please.
>
> thanks
> Bob
> 57 tr3
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