As most of us are aware, many quirks can be found throughout the annals of  TR production, especially in regards to unreported changes in production techniques and the use of a hodge podge of differing parts and manufacturing practices.

Recently, (Nov 2002) I received an e-mail from a fellow enthusiast who was in the midst of a restoration of his TR 3B. Charlie Devangine (TCF 726 L), reported the presence of a curious red paint marking on his 3B engine and upon closer examination a clearly visible TR3 had been hand painted on the RHS of the engine block in large letters. After photos were taken, Charlie e-mailed them to me and I in turn e-mailed a half dozen or so 3B owners to ask if they too had any such markings.

Sure enough, 3 other 3B owners Ashley Southgate (TSF110 LO), Craig Harris (TCF 1730 L) and Marty Scott TSF 210L e-mailed back confirming the identical markings on their engine blocks. 

Marty also pointed out that Pill Piggott, author of  Original Triumph TR2/3/3A (P67) makes mention of the hand painted markings being applied at the factory to distinguish between TR3 motors and motors designated for Vanguard saloons which apparently share the same engine block with the TR series of cars.

We do not know exactly when this procedure began, but late TR3A also have these hand painted markings and the practice may well indeed go back all the way to TR2 production!

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to verify!

Just read about the markings on the website.  My TR3 is TS 16162L, engine # TS 16348 (verified by BMIHT), build date Feb., ’57.  When I pulled the engine for rebuild a couple of years ago, I noticed a reddish-orange “TR3” painted on the right-hand side of the block.  I wondered about it until reading Piggot’s book, then it made sense.  Just wanted to let you know of an earlier incidence.  Mickey Richaud