TR3B

How it starts..........or ......"the restoration of TCF1730L"

9/12/00 - Hi! I had a TR3A in college with an "Abarth" exhaust system installed (HD low restriction and dual tips) that absolutely sounded GREAT! Does that name exist anymore? (I am about to express a mid-life crisis in the form of another TR3A)....

9/24/00 - I have since discovered that you're initial thought was correct concerning the Abarth...it was bought by 'Stebro' quite some time back. The Moss catalog shows a similar system available for the TR3/3A/B.....so who knows?? Since this 'crisis' has emerged, I have had nothing but positive things happen!! We are going to an "All-British Car Day" Sunday Oct 1 in RoundRock, Tex (home of Dell Computers) in central Texas... (the city manager is an MG owner....) AND through word-of-mouth, I have located the object of my affection.....a TR3B ( TCF 1730 L) that has been abandoned in a field for 23 years after a roll-over while being towed....early inspection revealed no drivetrain damage and the engine is still 'sealed' ...the frame is OK but the body has sustained considerable damage; interior is only a memory but the core of the car is worth restoring I think .....the deal isn't finalized yet, but looks good ....(by the way its original colors were exactly as your 59 3A.....which I printed a copy of .....from the meet you posted on the net, and it serves as continuing inspiration for my very formidable project). This will definitely be a labor of love and my wife has had nothing but 'little positives' to say about it...I think she wants to have another TR also, but doesn't dare say it, yet ....(She fell in love with your white/red interior wire-wheels). Thanks for the inspiration,

10/2/00 Thanks for the wise counsel of last email...I hadn't really updated you as to my master-plan.. As fate would have it (or, be careful what you wish for) I found the cleanest, rust-free mostly complete TR3A (TS82040 L) on a trailer at the All British Car Day at Roundrock TX yesterday....and bought it. It was a Texas car all its life and was stored inside a shed for the past 10 yrs....It will save me major$$ and 3 yrs work when I combine it with the 'parts' car (TCF 1730 L) and will be restored to its original form (white / red leather interior) please forgive my excitement ....I still haven't come down from yesterday.. after we opened all the boxes that came with it...like new sidecurtains, many xtra unavailable small parts two sets of gauges ....unbelievable and delivered 100 miles to my house. All for $1,600. For once, I was at the right place at the right time and made the right decision.....thanks for listening (?).... (soon to be TCF1730L)

PS I am a former ASE certified tech (many moons ago) but I am also a detail freak...now I simply drive Freight Trains for Union Pacific RR.

10/12/00 - I thought I'd drop you a line with a pic of the 3B in it's "found" state.....the old boy tried to 'sweeten-the-pot' on the deal by including the cat....but I held my ground.....I also found the body tag under the homemade battery box ....so now I can restore the genuine article...(3b's only had one, (from Forward Radiator Co) I'm still curious as to the tires you chose for your 59....they are great......I wanted a radial with a slightly smaller whitewall (to reflect '63 tastes) but I've only found one that might remotely fit the bill...a BFG 3/4" ww 165 SR15.....my problem is that this may be a 'whitewall-stripe' with blackwall at the edge of the wheel....that would not work...Please let me know how you like yours, and I suspect they are polycord (bias ply) aren't they?

1/24/01 - Just a note to keep you up to speed on the TR project! the 3B (black car) is nearing the end of salvage-and-autopsy ...... we've gotten the engine out and it looks great on the inside...the trans is original (#'s match body #) but some fool welded the bearing yoke to the cross-shaft and it must be cut...the trans, rear-end, calipers, starter and generator are about to be shipped to The Roadster Factory for rehab...while I start on the frame and engine...managing this project is a little like teaching an octopus to walk! I devised a system for tracking orders and money spent to keep a handle on everything ..... it's quite easy to get out of hand if you don't! I've found my enthusiasm has not waned, and I use your pic of the '59 3A as inspiration daily. The weather here has been a hassle, not the temp, but the rain. The humidity plays hell with stripped parts and paint. I've found that a pre-treatment with 'sanivac' (phosphoric acid 5%) is great for small rusted parts before they go into the tumbler for polishing... When they say 'the devil's in the details' they weren't kidding .. I just got the radiator and heater core back from the shop and they look great! The shop manager couldn't believe they sat in a field for 23 yrs. Parts recognition is getting better and I've discovered more goodies from the white car. (many are 'unavailable')