So you want to know a bit about myself .........

My Name is Barry Shefner and I hail from Montreal, Quebec Canada. I am not a mechanic nor an engineer nor have I had any special training that would enable me to attempt a restoration of a car. I do however consider myself somewhat mechanically inclined, I've always been a bit of a tinkerer and when I start a task I am driven to complete it.

My first Triumph was a brand new 1976 TR7 which I drove in my youte. It was perhaps the most unreliable car that I have ever owned but when it drove it was an exciting vehicle that held the road like no other and brings back many fond memories. Although it spent the better part of it's life in the dealers garage being continually serviced, I kept it for 3 years and I still miss it. (something mysterious about these triumphs which I'm sure no one can adequately explain) 

  In April 1995 I decided to undertake the task of a complete frame off restoration of a 1959 TR3A 0TS57675L. It was a car that hadn't been on the road for about 20 years but most of the car was complete. Thankfully the car had received a thick undercoat of tar at some point in it's tired history and with the exception of the floor pans, sills and rockers it hadn't been eaten away by significant rust. Although a mechanical basket case, it was entirely restorable.

 Looking back at that decision, I have no regrets but it was a bit more work than I anticipated. Ignorance is bliss of course and when I set myself the goal of completing the restoration (in my spare time) I honestly thought that it could be accomplished in 3 or 4 months. Well I was wrong of course but still from start to finish the entire task was done in 14 months, probably a record for such an intensive restoration for a "newbie".

Every nut and bolt, seal and mechanical item was dismantled, cleaned, refurbished (or replaced if unsalvageable) and thankfully reassembled back into a car!:} If you are interested, you can view pictures of the restoration  process on the brag book page on this site.

It was never my original intention to produce a concours quality car but as the work progressed, I found that there was little difference in going the extra mile to produce a car of that quality. I will warn anyone that attempts such a project however, that you will need deep pockets, commitment to finish the project and alot of help from knowledgeable folks. Despite what you may think, there is no shortage of those that are willing and able to offer you help in achieving your goal, you only need to ask.

I truly enjoyed doing the restoration but I have to share with you that driving the car is equally satisfying. The smiles and comments that I get from folks are truly inspiring. For those over 50 it brings back memories of their youth and the car that they either owned at some time in their younger "friskier" days or the one that they wished they COULD have owned. For those younger folks, seeing a car with the style and grace unique to a TR  brings puzzled looks and shouts of "WOW.... Neat car!" (even if they don't know what to call it)

Do I drive the car? You bet I do - drove it to 4 VTR conventions in Albany New York, Hudson Wisconsin, Portland Maine, Indiana Pennsylvania and Rockford Ilinois. I am a firm believer that "trailering" is for beauty queens, I drive my TR3A every opportunity I get (of course the weather has to cooperate) and have about 21k miles on in since the restoration. 

Would I do it all over again? .... YOU BET I WOULD! ... ....Will I? .... Yep just a question of time:} 

Notable Awards:   
1996 - Certificate of Excellence Gold Award VTR ( Albany NY ) 384 points
1997 - 1st Place British Car Auto Festival Lasalle Qc
          - Second Place British Classic Motorcar Show (Stowe VT) British Invasion VII
1998 - Certificate of Excellence Silver Award VTR - (Hudson Wisconsin) 
          - Best of Class 1950-59 New England Motorcar Festival
1999 - Certificate of Excellence Gold Award VTR (Portland Me) 388 points
2003 - Certificate of Excellence Gold Award VTR (Indiana Pa) 354 points
2005 - Second place Concourse TR3A Late VTR
        - Certificate of Excellence Gold Award VTR (Rockford Il)
2007 - 1st Place British Classic Motorcar Show (Stowe VT) British Invasion XVII

Barry Shefner